Jan. 7, 2015
The US-Venezuela-Cuba Triangle
Jennifer McCoy, published by The Conversation.
The Obama administration announced the intention to restore diplomatic relations with Cuba the same week that Congress approved sanctions against Venezuela for human rights violations.
Nov. 11, 2014
The Electoral Challenge for the Western Hemisphere
Published by Americas Quarterly.
Americas Program Director Jennifer McCoy explores the problem and solutions to the new electoral challenge of Latin American.
April 28, 2014
Carter Center: Contradictions Should be Avoided in Gov't-Opposition Talks
Published by El Universal.
The director of the Carter Center's Americas Program stressed how critical it was to keep "information and transparency, as well as communication" with citizens at all times.
March 26, 2014
¿Puede Venezuela alejarse del borde del precipicio?
Jennifer McCoy op-ed, published by La Republica.
De cara a la visita de UNASUR a Caracas para promover el diálogo, las lecciones aprendidas en otras sociedades polarizadas pueden ayudar.
March 13, 2014
Can Venezuela Back Down from the Cliff?
Jennifer McCoy op-ed, published by AlJazeera.com.
Increased polarisation makes it imperative for Venezuela to take steps to find its way back from the brink.
March 5, 2014
The "Street Strategy" Deepening Venezuela's Troubles
Jennifer McCoy and Michael McCarthy op-ed, published by The National Interest.
On this first anniversary of Hugo Chávez's death and in the wake of the sudden collapse of the Ukrainian government, predictions are swirling that Venezuela's Maduro government could be toppled either by an aggressive protest movement, or by an internal coup within the chavista movement.
July 15, 2013
Latin America's Experiences Offer Lessons for Postcoup Egypt (PDF)
Jennifer McCoy op-ed, published by World Politics Review.
Latin America holds lessons for understanding - and pointing the way through - the current upheaval in Egypt. As Egypt enters a new phase of polarization following the military intervention in the wake of massive protests against its elected leader, recent Latin American experience points to the risks of moving forward without addressing the roots of this polarization.
July 1, 2013
The Limits of Legacy: The Post-Chávez Challenge and Electoral Legitimacy
Published by Americas Quarterly.
In April 14, Venezuelans turned out en masse for a special presidential election. More than 79 percent of the electorate voted to fill the 2013–2019 term left vacant by Hugo Chávez' March 5 death from cancer. The photo-finish surprised and captivated the country, with interim President Nicolás Maduro defeating opposition Governor Henrique Capriles by a slim margin, 1.5 percent, or around 220,000 votes.
March 6, 2013
Chavez Legacy an Incomplete Revolution
Jennifer McCoy op-ed, published by USA Today.
Hugo Chávez was a larger than life figure who dominated Venezuelan politics and shaped hemispheric relations as few leaders have done. He personified change in Venezuela and was the single unifying force in the country since 1999 - unifying his diverse supporters to follow his lead, and uniting his opponents to try to defeat him.
Dec. 20, 2012
Despite Uncertainty, Venezuela's Political Scenarios Not all Bleak (PDF)
Jennifer McCoy op-ed published by World Politics Review.
For 14 years, Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez has galvanized his diverse supporters and united his opponents. Now, with Chávez apparently gravely ill, these centrifugal forces will be much harder to hold together, and many have predicted political instability, infighting within both camps and even violence. Nevertheless, three dynamics could help to prevent Venezuela from spinning out of control.
Oct. 15, 2012
Beneath Chávez's Victory
Jennifer McCoy op-ed by published by the Financial Times.
Most English-language commentary has attributed Hugo Chávez's surprising 11-point victory in Venezuela's presidential election on October 7 to oil-fueled public spending and "ventajismo" (incumbent use of state machinery to create an unlevel playing field and impressive mobilization), with some voters induced by fear of losing promised benefits to vote for the president. While all these factors contributed to the outcome, the analyses miss one additional factor explaining Chávez' political longevity.
July 4, 2012
Behind Paraguay's Presidential Ouster
This Jennifer McCoy op-ed was published by InterPress Service.
In Paraguay, like Honduras, very little change has occurred in the gross inequities in land distribution.
Dec. 10, 2007
Venezuela Reins in, Doesn't Reject, Hugo Chávez
This Jennifer McCoy op-ed was published in the Dec. 10, 2007, edition of Newsday.
Voters in Venezuela have sent a clear message to their president: Slow down.
May 23, 2007
La Importancia de la Gobernanza Electoral y la Calidad de las Elecciones en la America Latina Contemporanea
Este articulo contiene un analisis multinacional sistematico del papel desempenado por la administracion electoral en 19 paises de America latina y de sus efectos sobre elecciones presidenciales democraticas aceptables, desde 1980 o bien a partir de la primera eleccion transcendental que marco la transicion a la democracia.
Dec. 6, 2006
The Meaning of the Year of Elections in Latin America
The column by Jennifer McCoy was published in Inter Press Service as a column in several newspapers around the world.
Jan. 1, 2006
Collective Defense of Democracy: Concepts and Procedures (PDF)
Jennifer McCoy, Carter Center Americas Program director, and Shelley McConnell, Americas Program associate director, co-wrote an analytical review and recommendations for the report Collective Defense of Democracy: Concepts and Procedures, which discusses the mechanisms for protecting democracy within the Inter-American Democratic Charter. Spanish version: Defensa Colectiva de la Democracia: definiciones y mecanismos (PDF) >
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