Author Archives: Max

Congratulations to Rafael Roncagliolo, a founding member of the Andean Democracy Research Network, who has been appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs in Peru. For the full story, and source of the photo, see “New Peruvian Cabinet takes office today,” in … Continue reading →

In a recent speech to the General Assembly of the Organization of American States, held in San Salvador, Minister of State Diane Ablonczy outlined a concrete and constructive proposal for reinforcing the Inter-American Democratic Charter. The key passages follow: As … Continue reading →

The Government of Canada’s Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade website highlights the contribution of the ADRN: “Canada supported the development of the Andean Democracy Research Network which produces timely, impartial and high-quality assessments of democracy in the Andean … Continue reading →

Maxwell A. Cameron Embassy, April 13, 2011 Support for democracy is a central pillar of the Harper government’s policy of re-engagement with the Americas. To this end, the government created a ministerial post responsible for foreign affairs in the Americas … Continue reading →

(Ver en español abajo) We the undersigned, members of the Andean Democracy Research Network, reject the rebellion by military and police units in Ecuador that has created the deepest political crisis facing the government of Rafael Correa in his four … Continue reading →

We, the Friends of the Inter-American Democratic Charter, express our great concern for the rupture of the constitutional order in the Republic of Honduras that took place on June 28, 2009.
We consider unjustifiable and unacceptable that an institutional political crisis would be resolved through an act of force. Use of force to interfere in the mandates of elected political officials has been condemned by the hemisphere since the Santiago Declaration of 1991, reiterated in the Inter-American Democratic Charter in 2001, and has no place in the 21st century. Instead, dialogue, constitutional mechanisms, legal procedures, and respect for due process should be used to resolve conflicts between branches of power or to investigate alleged illegal or unconstitutional acts by any political actor. These procedures were not followed in Honduras; nor was the OAS offer of good offices utilized.
At the same time, we recognize that disputes arose between the branches of government in recent months and days over whether and how to reform the constitution. We are aware of the defiance of the president in the wake of rulings by the Supreme Court and the Congress, but also emphasize that the president did not attempt to dissolve either of those branches of government. Continue reading →

Maxwell A. Cameron From Tuesday’s Globe and Mail Last updated on Tuesday, Jun. 30, 2009 11:16AM EDT You don’t burst into a palace in a blaze of gunfire, rouse a pyjama-clad president from his bed, stick a gun to his … Continue reading →

Prepared by the Carter Center, reproduced with permission. 1. What are the provisions/justifications in the constitution to remove a president? Is there an impeachment procedure? Currently, there is nothing written into the Honduran Constitution regarding impeachment or removal of the … Continue reading →

The following analysis of the was prepared by Elena Cryst for the Carter Center.  It is reproduced her with permission. On Sunday, June 28 2009, a military coup took place in Honduras against president Manuel Zelaya. The armed forces took … Continue reading →

Special to Globe and Mail Update, Wednesday, Jun. 10, 2009 Canada shouldn’t just assume a free-trade deal with Colombia will mean a stronger democracy; it should invest in making sure it does By Maxwell A. Cameron, Ana Maria Bejarano, Felipe … Continue reading →