Former Presidents analyzed how Latin America, which should have an agenda based on the rule of law, individual rights, and respect for democracy, must confront the deterioration of these tenets and the mechanisms that criminalize politics.
By Felicia Jimenez & Angel Cristobal
Miami, Nov. 7, 2023 – Miami Dade College (MDC) once again hosted former heads of state from Latin America and Spain at the IDEA Group’s VIII Presidential Dialogue, a global forum designed to explore geopolitical, economic, and social challenges facing the Western Hemisphere.
This year’s event took place from 9:30 a.m. – 1 p.m., at MDC Wolfson Campus in downtown Miami, featuring two panel discussions under the theme “The Marginalization of Rule of Law and Criminalization of Politics in the Digital Age.” The program was in English and Spanish with interpretation available.
“As the largest and most diverse institution in the country, serving a largely Hispanic student population, Miami Dade College embraces its role as a civic, economic, and cultural leader in the community, and is proud to facilitate these important conversations among global leaders,” said MDC President Madeline Pumariega during her presentation.
VIII Presidential Dialogue, organized by IDEA Group, the Catedra Mezerhane Endowed Chair of Miami Dade College and Atlántico Instituto de Estudios, analyzed how Latin America, which should have an agenda based on the rule of law, individual rights, and respect for democracy, must confront the deterioration of these tenets and the mechanisms that criminalize politics, which include the digital space.
Program below:
9:30 a.m. Opening Presentation
MDC President Madeline Pumariega; Dr. Nelson J. Mezerhane, Diario Las Américas editor and president of IDEA Group, and José María Aznar (virtual), former Prime Minister of Spain and president of Atlántico Instituto de Estudios.
Special guest: Luis Almagro Secretary General, Organization of American States (OAS).
PANEL 1
“The Political Intervention of Justice or the Politicization of Judicial Power,” led by Diego Valadés, president of the Ibero-American Institute of Constitutional Law
Moderator: Idiana Chirinos, NTN24
Panelists: Laura Chinchilla, former president of Costa Rica; Osvaldo Hurtado, former president of Ecuador; Andrés Pastrana, former president of Colombia; Miguel Angel Rodríguez, former president of Costa Rica
PANEL 2
“Political Representation in the Age of Networks and the Legal and Judicial Oversight of Digital Governance,” led by Asdrúbal Aguiar, director of Chair on Democracy, Rule of Law and Human Rights (MDC) and secretary of the IDEA Group
Moderator: Claudia Gurisatti, director at RCN News
Panelists: Iván Duque, former president of Colombia; Luis Alberto Lacalle, former president of Uruguay; Jamil Mahuad, former president of Ecuador; Sebastián Piñera, former president of Chile; Jorge Tuto Quiroga, former president of Bolivia
