Latin America and the Caribbean faces significant challenges to democracy, including entrenched authoritarianism, institutional instability, organized crime, and foreign authoritarian influence. These trends threaten human rights, political freedoms, and the integrity of democratic processes across the region. Yet, amid these challenges, civil society remains resilient, with local actors mobilizing to defend democratic values and institutions.

NED and its core institutes work across LAC, with projects in 19 countries as well as regional initiatives, focusing on areas such as democratic governance, entrepreneurship and free market principles, electoral integrity, and human rights, including labor rights. In the region’s least free countries, NED support works to advance fundamental rights and the establishment or restoration of basic democratic freedoms. Through sustained engagement and innovative efforts, NED partners are driving change, resisting authoritarianism, and working to strengthen democratic resilience across Latin America and the Caribbean.

By the Numbers

Regional Focus Areas

NED works in countries across the region, from the most authoritarian to those facing deconsolidation challenges and experiencing political instability. NED supports organizations working to develop policy proposals, improve candidate training, enhance the quality of information, and build inclusive coalitions to uphold democratic values.

Countering authoritarianism

Across Latin America and the Caribbean, authoritarianism is gaining ground, with leaders consolidating power by undermining democratic institutions. NED focuses on countries with entrenched authoritarian political systems, such as Cuba, Nicaragua, and Venezuela. In these nations, NED partners with organizations to raise awareness about the regimes’ autocratic nature, empower citizens with independent information and help counter anti-democratic narratives. In the face of severe repression, activists remain steadfast in their commitment to promote peaceful and democratic reforms.

Authoritarian tendencies are also taking root in democracies experiencing significant regression, such as Bolivia, El Salvador, and Mexico. In these countries, elected leaders are eroding checks and balances, concentrating power, and weakening the independence of key democratic institutions. NED and its core institutes collaborate with local reformers to defend democratic principles, strengthen the rule of law, and advocate for the preservation of human rights to prevent the further consolidation of authoritarian rule.

Election integrity

Elections represent key moments for democratic mobilization. However, the integrity and legitimacy of electoral processes and institutions are under attack in several countries. While reasons vary across countries, from voter disinformation campaigns to weaknesses and attacks against electoral institutions, civil society and democratic political actors have an important role to play in ensuring free, fair, competitive and participatory elections. NED and the party institutes support a range of programs, including election observation, voter education, candidate training, and party poll watching that aim to safeguard the integrity of these processes and to counter the influence of anti-democratic forces.

Democratic governance

Conflicts between the executive and legislative branches are widespread in the region, undermining the ability of democratic governments to meet the needs of their citizens. These disputes point to institutional deficiencies including feeble party systems, personalistic politics and pervasive polarization. In countries such as Peru, Ecuador, Brazil and Colombia, NED and its partners promote citizen participation in policy making and increase accountability among elected officials. Similarly, NED supports the efforts of parties, coalitions and legislative assemblies to increase internal democracy and transparency.

Seizing democratic openings

Against a backdrop of global democratic decline, the election of President Bernardo Arévalo in Guatemala offers an opportunity for advancing democratic gains in the region. NED and the core institutes will work in close collaboration to help Guatemala restore democratic governance, increasing transparency and empowering new sectors of society to participate in the political process.

Understanding the role of China, Russia and other authoritarian actors

China has increased its economic footprint in the region, but there is little discussion or awareness of its political agenda, diplomatic influence or the effects of this relationship in the medium and longer term. While Russia’s presence is less visible, it is important for democratic actors in the region to understand their role in global geopolitical dynamics. NED works with thought leaders, journalists, and others to increase policy analysis and develop expertise on the relationship between Latin America and global authoritarian actors to counter their influence.

Country Highlights

cuba

Cuba, a long-standing NED priority, is one of the last communist regimes in the world, with a tightly controlled one-party system. The Cuban regime systematically oppresses free speech, independent media, and many fundamental rights and freedoms, independent unions, political parties and civil and professional organizations. Despite small openings in the private sector, Cuba’s bankrupt centrally planned model stifles growth, deepening corruption, poverty and inequality. The regime’s economic mismanagement has plunged the island into an economic crisis worse than that of the “Special Period” of the 1990s. Internationally, Cuba’s alignment with authoritarian regimes like Russia, China, and Venezuela reflects its longstanding role in undermining international democratic norms.

NED’s strategy focuses on liberalizing Cuba’s closed political system by strengthening the capacity of democracy advocates and expanding civic space as an alternative to totalitarian rule. Key objectives include enhancing access to independent, pluralistic information to foster a more well-informed, critically minded citizenry; supporting human rights defenders to protect victims of repression and demand accountability; and fostering solidarity and engagement with Cuban pro-democracy activists in Latin America to build regional and international momentum for Cuban democracy and human rights.

Grantee Spotlight

The National Democratic Institute (NDI) works to empower Cuban pro-democracy activists by equipping them with tools to advance advocacy agendas and refine communication strategies through the use of independent public opinion data. In a country where independent polling is nearly impossible due to government restrictions and censorship, NDI helped consolidate CubaData, an independent polling firm, to fill this critical gap. Despite the challenges, CubaData conducts verifiable digital surveys with tens of thousands of Cubans, leveraging increased internet access and rigorous scientific methods. This partnership provides activists with the data needed to understand the real needs and opinions of the Cuban people, enabling them to shape more effective advocacy efforts for democratic change. Additionally, NDI supports CubaData in forming alliances with academic institutions and news outlets in Europe and Latin America, amplifying the impact of their findings. These data-driven insights help shift the narrative around Cuba's socialist revolution, replacing romanticized views with the authentic experiences and perceptions of everyday Cubans. Through this transformative work, NDI and CubaData empower Cuban activists to amplify their voices, boost legitimacy, and push for democracy in one of the world’s most closed societies.

Colombia

Despite nearly six decades of conflict marked by widespread violence and severe human rights abuses, Colombia remains one of Latin America’s oldest democracies. Nearly a decade after signing the Peace Accords, the country continues to face significant challenges in consolidating peace, especially outside major urban centers. President Gustavo Petro was elected in 2022 on a platform of fighting inequality and achieving peace with all armed and criminal groups. His ambitious Total Peace policy has encountered many obstacles, and Colombia has continued to experience violence, especially against human rights defenders and social leaders. Despite the uneven progress towards achieving peace, Colombian democratic institutions have proven robust, and civil society remains strong, diverse, and innovative. It has consistently advocated for the rights and dignity of those affected by violence, holding public officials accountable while effectively influencing public policy.

In this context, NED’s strategy focuses on protecting the country’s democratic gains, including the independence and effectiveness of national and local institutions. Objectives include advocating for greater political participation and independent unionization of workers, boosting private sector participation in regions most affected by violence, enhancing understanding of state capture, and promoting transparent electoral processes and a more informed electorate.

Grantee Spotlight

Colombian media outlet Cuestión Pública developed Juego de Votos (Game of Votes) to help Colombians understand patronage and criminal networks behind certain candidates and make informed voting decisions in the 2022 legislative and presidential elections. This groundbreaking web application, inspired by HBO's Game of Thrones, exposed the intricate connections between candidates to public office, powerful families, businessmen, contractors, and, in some cases, illegal armed groups. Juego de Votos translated these complex power dynamics into an engaging narrative using Game of Thrones symbols and elements of Colombian Caribbean folklore music. To accomplish this, the grantee cross-referenced, analyzed, and visually represented data from over 20 databases, including public contracts and congressional bills. Released just ten days before the congressional elections, the app garnered widespread attention across Colombia, particularly resonating with a key demographic—young, first-time voters aged 18 to 34. The initiative reached over 300,000 young people, with more than 40,000 unique visitors to the Juego de Votos website. The success of Juego de Votos earned Cuestión Pública international acclaim, including the prestigious SIGMA Award for data journalism, cementing its status as global leaders in the field. It also received the King of Spain International Journalism Award for its "exercise in independent investigative and data journalism" and recognition of its contribution to "young and innovative journalism."

El Salvador

In February 2024, President Nayib Bukele swept to victory for a second term with over 85 percent of the vote, after sidestepping a constitutional ban against reelection. While widely popular, he has taken steps to erode democratic institutions and the rule of law. With the goal of curtailing gang violence, he has governed under a state of emergency since March 2022, suspending basic guarantees and detaining close to 100,000 Salvadorans without due process. This iron fist policy has led to improved security but also widespread human rights violations, including mass trials, forced disappearances and ill-treatment in detention. President Bukele has also concentrated power in the executive, including packing courts, intimidating opponents, and reducing the number of congressional seats and municipalities.

NED’s strategy in El Salvador is to increase citizen support for human rights, reinforce the rule of law, and strengthen democratic checks and balances. In a context of democratic erosion, NED empowers democratic activists and citizen initiatives to advance reform and advocacy efforts.

Grantee Spotlight

In 2021, NED awarded the Democracy Award to the Asociación Transparencia, Contraloría Social, y Datos Abiertos (Transparency, Social Oversight, and Open Data Association or TRACODA). TRACODA offers tools for citizens in El Salvador to participate in the political process, request public information, and monitor the use of public resources.  Since the organization’s founding, TRACODA’s members have promoted electoral reforms, conducted oversight of the Salvadoran legislature, engaged in dialogue with legislators and overseen selection processes for the Attorney General and Supreme Court Justice magistrates. With NED funds the grantee is creating the Center for Technology Applied to Democracy (CTAD) with the aim to support variety of democratic actors to improve their individual and organizational security and provide these actors with actionable inputs which will allow them to advance their work on defending democracy in this challenging environment.  Read more.

Guatemala

After years of significant democratic decline, Guatemalans elected the political outsider and reform-minded Bernardo Arévalo in 2023, offering a rare opportunity to reverse years of corruption, weakened rule of law, and restrictions on civil society. Although his administration faces considerable resistance from entrenched elites and judicial opposition, civil society actors across sectors are leveraging this unique moment to promote greater judicial independence and electoral integrity, include traditionally marginalized segments of society in the political process, and strengthen labor and other fundamental rights and freedoms.

NED’s strategy focuses on defending the democratic opening and the rule of law, especially through strengthening judicial independence and improving the capacity of electoral bodies. NED supports organizations working to increase the civic and political engagement of indigenous actors, whose leadership proved critical in preventing democratic derailment in 2023. Additionally, NED supports organizations that fill gaps in media coverage to ensure transparency and accountability in government. These efforts and others work to bolster democratic institutions in Guatemala’s fragile political environment.

Grantee Spotlight

Guatemala Visible was formed in 2009 by a new generation of business leaders with the goal to promote democratic leadership and responsible citizenship. Its work focuses on training citizens on democratic values, using technology to improve electoral processes and providing technical support to both citizens and government institutions by creating profiles of candidates and elected politicians and manuals of electoral procedures to foster participation and strengthen democratic governance. In 2023, Guatemala Visible contributed to preventing the implementation of an opaque electronic voting system which would have delegitimized the electoral process and most likely hindered the peaceful transfer of power in Guatemala. Thanks to the organization’s advocacy network and national profile, Guatemala Visible convinced critical stakeholders of the electronic system’s flaws. The organization explained to the electoral authorities that if adopted, the proposed electronic system would have limited their ability to exercise genuine oversight of the electoral processes. Subsequently, the electoral court announced that it would not implement the proposed system. This intervention ensured that the will of Guatemalan citizens was accurately captured, safeguarding the country’s historic democratic transfer of power.  While the fight for democracy in Guatemala continues, this program highlights that even under challenging conditions, organized civil society can protect democratic gains and prevent further erosion of democratic institutions.

Peru

Once considered a regional success story of economic growth and democratic resurgence, over the last decade Peru has been grappling with a deteriorating socio-political crisis that threatens the stability of its democracy and the well-being of its citizens. Since 2016, the country has cycled through six presidents and three parliaments, highlighting the deepening political instability. Following the ouster of President Castillo, the Congress has passed a series of controversial reforms that concentrate power within the legislature, undermine judicial independence, and weaken electoral institutions. These actions have raised concerns about the erosion of Peru’s democratic gains over the past two decades. Peru’s civil society has condemned these counter-reforms but has struggled to mount an effective response. As Peru looks ahead to the 2026 elections, it faces the challenge of restoring trust in its democratic institutions and reversing this troubling trend.

NED has worked to advance democracy in Peru for over 30 years, where it seeks to restore democratic checks and balances and increase political accountability. NED works to foster collaboration and build coalitions amongst civil society and political actors to counter democratic erosion and promote the integrity of political processes. Similarly, it seeks to empower citizens to bridge historical and political divides and build consensus towards a more democratic future.

Grantee Spotlight

Ashanti Peru is a network led by Afro-Peruvian youth that promotes the social and political participation and inclusion of youth and marginalized populations. Over the last several years of political upheaval, youth have been actively engaged in social and political activism to demand greater government accountability, respect for human rights, and a crackdown on corruption. However, given deep fragmentation that cuts across regions, ethnic communities, and political ideologies, youth have struggled to coordinate their efforts at a national scale. With NED support, Ashanti coordinates a nationwide platform where youth can collaborate to develop an agenda for political representation, engage in democratic dialogues, and develop the leadership capacity of political actors and activists. The platform allows for national coordination for youth-led efforts to defend Peru’s democratic institutions and the integrity of the 2026 elections.

ResEarch and Analysis

International Forum Report: Authoritarian Information Operations in Latin America

Authoritarians are escalating their efforts to manipulate information in Latin America, flooding newswires, television, and social media with narratives that undermine democracies and make authoritarian governments seem more desirable. A new report from the International Forum for Democratic Studies details the increased collaboration between Russia, China, and regional autocratic regimes and ways for civil society to tackle this challenge.

Read "Deepening the Response to Authoritarian Inforamtion Operations in Latin America"

International Forum: How are Key Influencers in Latin America Amplifying CCP Narratives

The International Forum for Democratic Studies asked four leading Latin American experts across civil society to consider the following question: Outside of the government realm, how are the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) propaganda and media channels leveraging influential figures across Latin America’s media, academic, and political spaces to promote authoritarian narratives and models of governance?

REad "Borrowing Boats: How are Key Influencers in Latin America Amplifying CCP Narratives about Authoritarian Models?"

International Forum Report: Setting Democratic Ground Rules for AI

A report by the International Forum for Democratic Studies’ Beth Kerley analyzes priorities, challenges, and promising civil society strategies for advancing democratic approaches to governing artificial intelligence (AI). The report is based on conversations from a private Forum workshop in Buenos Aires, Argentina that brought together Latin American and global researchers and civil society practitioners.

Read the Report

Journal of Democracy: How Latin America's Judges are Defending Democracy

This Journal of Democracy essay argues that courts in Latin America are an outlier in the global trend of independent institutions failing to thwart authoritarian takeovers of democracy. The three largest countries in the region—Brazil, Mexico, and Colombia—have produced robust institutions able to check leaders with authoritarian tendencies, with high courts playing a fundamental role.

REad "How Latin America's Judges Are Defending Democracy"