Freedom and Democratic Renewal in Latin America

Across the region, democratic institutions face mounting pressure. In countries such as Venezuela, Nicaragua, and Cuba, authoritarian regimes have consolidated power, dismantled institutional checks and balances, and severely restricted fundamental freedoms while fueling much instability throughout the Western Hemisphere.

These divergent trajectories underscore a broader regional reality: democracy in Latin America is under strain, but it is also being actively contested and reimagined by courageous leaders, reformers, and citizens across the hemisphere.

This special event will convene distinguished voices from the frontlines of these struggles, including former President of Colombia Iván Duque Márquez. NED Board Member Carrie Filipetti, Executive Director of the Vandenberg Coalition, will moderate a panel conversation with leading democracy advocates: John Suarez (Cuba), Félix Maradiaga (Nicaragua), and Miguel Pizarro (Venezuela). Drawing on their firsthand experiences, speakers will offer insights into the region’s most pressing challenges—from entrenched authoritarianism to fragile democratic transitions—and explore pathways for renewal.