In mid-2015, tens of thousands of ordinary Guatemalans poured into the streets to protest against a multimillion-dollar corruption scheme at the highest levels of government and demand reform. By September, key ministers and advisers had been fired. The nation's president sat in jail. But today, two years after that euphoric demonstration of people power, little has changed in … [Read more...] about Guatemala: The Crisis of Rule of Law and a Weak Party System
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The Truth About Judicial Reform
Not since Italy's Mani pulite ("clean hands") investigations into political corruption has there been anything like it in Europe or the Americas. In Latin America, it is unprecedented. A sitting president is under indictment; a former president has been convicted, and dozens of lawmakers and their corporate allies have gone to jail. A few decades ago, Brazilians might have … [Read more...] about The Truth About Judicial Reform
Bringing Order to the Fight Against Urban Corruption
Over the last three years, the media in Latin America has been offered a rich harvest of scandal. Brazil's Lava Jato affair, involving the diversion of money from contracts at the state-run oil company to personal and party coffers, has led to more than 200 arrests and 80 convictions. A Guatemalan president and vice-president were driven from office over a multi-million dollar … [Read more...] about Bringing Order to the Fight Against Urban Corruption
Research Opportunity: Call for Visiting Scholars Program
The IDB’s Research Department invites promising young researchers (post-doctorate level) and recognized accredited Scholars to apply for the Visiting Research Scholars Program on Citizen Security and Justice issues. The program addresses the growing demand for expertise to design public policies to prevent and reduce urban crime in Latin America and the Caribbean, and to … [Read more...] about Research Opportunity: Call for Visiting Scholars Program
Monitoring Corruption in Mexico: The Watchful Eye and the Cracking Whip
Corruption is a widespread problem in Latin America, despite recent progress. Some cases can have high visibility, especially when high-level authorities are involved in multi-million dollar scandals. Other cases stay mostly out of the spotlight, as they involve low-level civil servants who, for example, take bribes to approve a permit. Although they might seem isolated and … [Read more...] about Monitoring Corruption in Mexico: The Watchful Eye and the Cracking Whip