Eduardo Gamarra Americas Insights

Bolivia's Self-Coup: A Tactic That Worked but at What Cost? Eduardo A. Gamarra, PhD Professor Department of Politics and International Relations Florida International University   In an unprecedented move, Bolivia’s President Luis Arce has executed a self-coup, a maneuver that has thrust the nation into a crisis of historic proportions. For a country that has weathered significant political turbulence, including massive electoral fraud in 2019, the resignation of Evo Morales, and subsequent protests, this crisis stands out as the most severe of the 21st century. This statement bears considerable weight, especially given Arce’s history as the minister of economy under Evo Morales, whose 14-year rule he proudly cites as the pinnacle of Bolivia’s economic success.   Arce and Morales often reminisce about those "golden years" of Bolivian prosperity, marked by robust natural gas exports to Argentina and Brazil. These years saw significant economic growth and stability, which b...

Timing is Everything: Biden's Missteps in Florida Politics Eduardo A. Gamarra   Biden's reelection campaign ignores two fundamental principles of politics. The first is that in politics, timing is everything. Equally important is the old adage by Thomas "Tip" O'Neill that "all politics is local." These principles are crucial in the delicate dance of political strategy and public perception.  Niccolò Machiavelli's insights in "The Prince" emphasize the importance of recognizing and seizing opportunities, suggesting that political success is determined by strategy and the ability to exploit favorable circumstances. A more contemporary view comes from Steven L. Taylor, whose "Outside the Beltway” articles repeatedly emphasize the critical role of timing in political strategy and decision-making. The Biden administration's recent actions in Florida, particularly concerning Cuban policy, exemplify a disregard for these insights, jeopard...

 The End of Judicial Independence in the Americas One of the most fundamental lessons we impart in civics education is that the principle of separation of powers is crucial to democratic governance, designed to prevent any single branch of government from holding excessive power. At the heart of this balance is the judiciary's independence, serving as a neutral arbiter in legal disputes and a safeguard against other branches' abuses of power. Yet, in the past decade, the politicization of judicial appointments has severely challenged this ideal, not only in established democracies like the United States but also across the volatile democratic landscapes of Latin America. In the United States, the integrity of the judiciary is being severely tested by the increasing politicization of Supreme Court appointments. Recent controversies, such as the involvement of two Justices' spouses in polarizing political debates, underscore the severity of the situation. Moreover, the explic...

Misguided Conservatism: Repressive Policies on Immigration and Crime Eduardo A. Gamarra   In  the current political environment heading into the 2024 presidential elections, a prevalent trend has emerged among our misguided conservative politicians advocating for repressive state measures—mass arrests, aggressive deportations, and stringent immigration restrictions. This hardline stance starkly contrasts with the nuanced understanding of the role of immigrants and the state espoused by conservative intellectual icons like Friedrich von Hayek and Milton Friedman. Both economists, revered in conservative circles, recognized the state's necessary functions but advocated for its strategic and just application, particularly concerning immigration and crime. This essay challenges contemporary conservative leaders to realign their policies with these foundational principles, which support a balanced and reasoned approach to addressing these critical contemporary issues.   H...

The Mariel Boatlift: Reflections on Humanity, Resilience, and the Unfolding American Story Eduardo A. Gamarra   In the spring of 1980, as part of the collective effort at Ft. Chaffee, Arkansas, I had the unique opportunity to contribute to the resettlement of 25,000 of the 125,000 Cuban refugees who arrived during the Mariel boatlift. This experience, while decades past, continues to shape my perspectives on immigration, resilience, and the fabric of American society.   The refugees, derogatorily termed "Marielitos," carried with them not just their few physical belongings but the heavy stigma of persecution and denigration. In Cuba, they were labeled gusanos (worms) or escoria (scum), a cruel attempt to strip them of their dignity even before they set foot on foreign soil. This stigmatization did not end with their departure from Cuba; upon their arrival in the United States, they were met with suspicion and hostility. The narrative was tainted by the fact that a minor segme...

Would a Trump Victory in November 2024 please Latin American 21 st  Century Socialists? Eduardo A. Gamarra   The geopolitical chessboard is often set with pieces that do not move in predictable directions, creating paradoxes that, at first glance, appear almost unfathomable. Among these, the relationship between Vladimir Putin, a constellation of Latin American socialist states, and the political dynamics within the United States presents a particularly compelling study in contradictions and ironies. Vladimir Putin has indeed fostered relationships with countries in Latin America such as Bolivia, Venezuela, Nicaragua, and Cuba. These nations, which align themselves with the ideology of 21st Century Socialism, have found in Russia a powerful ally willing to extend economic, military, and diplomatic support. This alliance is not merely a reflection of shared ideological underpinnings but a strategic counterbalance to U.S. influence in the Western Hemisphere. On the other side of...

Broken Promises of Populist Neopatrimonialism: A Look into Bolivia and Venezuela's Descent   In the latest rankings released by  Transparency International , Bolivia and Venezuela have been spotlighted as the most corrupt nations in Latin America. This revelation is not particularly surprising given the political trajectory of both nations over the past two decades. The architects of their current states—Evo Morales and his MAS and Hugo Chavez and Nicolas Maduro -- leaders who once championed populist movements with vows to eradicate corruption, poverty, and to dismantle the neoliberal policies of their predecessors, have instead entrenched themselves in power through authoritarian neopatrimonial systems that betray the very populace they promised to uplift.   The irony is palpable. Those who ascended to power on the backs of movements decrying the exclusion and exploitation of the majority by a corrupt elite have themselves perpetuated a cycle of misrule, transforming th...