Those Seeking the Improvement of the Rule of Law

"The president [Jose Mujica] said that 'ideally' government policies are stable, predictable and cautious, with clear and definite rules, regardless of ideology. 'Certain measures can not change from one government to another,' he said."
     – Montevideo COMM, September 27, 2010; for the full article, click here.

"Regular and credible elections are one of Latin America’s greatest recent achievements, given its history of military coups. However, violence and organized crime have become so pervasive in some cities that they threaten hard-won political and economic progress. To address this, governments must reform law enforcement and judicial systems."
     – Financial Times, July 6, 2010; for the full article, click here.

"Mexico and the United States should build Mexican policing capacity and rule of law instead of depending on military might in the shared fight against drug cartels. 'Mexico could become a first-world country one day, but it will never achieve that status until it breaks the grip these criminal organizations have over all levels of government and strengthens its law enforcement and judicial institutions,' writes (former U.S. Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Robert) Bonner. It cannot do one without doing the other."
     – Americas Quarterly, June 30, 2010; for the full article, click here.

Rule of law is very loose, foreign investment is very low.
     – South Carolina Sen. Jim DeMint, June 24, 2010; for the full article, click here.

"We need to grow faster. And in order to grow faster, of course, we need to invest more, but we also need to be more productive. That implies to further liberalize our economies internally, provide more people with economic freedom to start new businesses or to finish old businesses. It implies making our labor markets more flexible. Priority number one, if you want to be economically successful, at least in the case of Latin America, is to work harder in establishing a solid rule of law. A rule of law understood in a wider sense. It’s not only about providing people with security and justice, but also about ensuring that people have property rights, and that their right to economic initiative is protected by the state."
     – Former President of Mexico Ernesto Zedillo, June 23, 2010; for the full article, click here.

"It is essential that the rule of law be established, with respect for the fundamental rights of the people and workers of Honduras, and that a solid dialogue be established with civil society, including trade union and social organizations."
     – ITUC Secretary General Guy Ryder, June 17, 2010; for the full article, click here.  

"Too many countries have, not the rule of law, but the rule of men. When you have to get specific permission to do something, like start a business, then you depend on the officials who wield that authority. It is a formula for delay, bureaucracy – and corruption. Under the rule of law, by contrast, the rules of property are known, established, accepted and respected. Even the poorest people are protected by the same rules. And the government too has to work within the rules – there can be no arbitrary arrest, confiscation of property, or retrospective changes in laws and contracts."
     – Dr Eamonn Butler, ; for the full article, click here.  

Editorials, OpEd's & Research Papers

Mujica rejects nationalization, preaches orthodox economics and praises the media
     – MercoPress, September 28, 2010

Telefónica Seeks to Repatriate US$1.8 Bil. from Venezuela
     – Economist Intelligence Unit, August 03, 2010

Readmission to Regional Body Bolsters Honduran Government's Legitimacy
     – Economist Intelligence Unit, July 22, 2010

Colombia Becomes the New Star of the South
     – Mac Margolis, News Week, July 16, 2010

Morning Bell: Surviving the Obama Assault on the Rule of Law
     – Conn Carroll, The Foundry: The Heritage Foundation, July 16, 2010

Drug Enforcement and the Rule of Law: Mexico and Colombia
     – David T. Johnson, Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Human Rights and the Law, May 18, 2010

In Nicaragua, Sandinistas accused of terrorism
     – Tim Rogers, April 21, 2010

The Future of Energy and the Role of Corporate Citizenship
     - Rex W. Tillerson, Houston World Affairs Council, April 19, 2010

Ecuador Open for Business…Seriously?
     – Patrick Kilbride, March 16, 2010

Latin America’s future depends on the rule of law
     – Myron Brilliant, March 3, 2010

Chile: private property and the rule of law take priority over human life in the post-earthquake chaos
     – Caiman del Barrio, March 2, 2010

Populism, Corruption Worry Executives
    – Latin Business Chronicle, October 22, 2009

Latin, Caribbean AmChams Highlight Need to Open Markets for a Sustained Economic Recovery: Survey Says Open Trade and Rule of Law Should be Administration’s Top Priorities for the Region
     – U.S. Chamber of Commerce, October 5, 2009

Why Rule of Law matters for development
     – Pilar Domingo, Overseas Development Institute, May 2009

Impact in Peru: Strengthening Democracy through Property Rights and Rule of Law
     – Center for International Private Enterprise, Feburaury 2008

Bolivia: IBA Calls on President Morales to Desist from Undermining the Rule of Law
     – International Bar Association, June 2007

In Today's Latin America, Competitiveness Requires More Than Free Trade
     - Council of the Americas, April 28, 2005

Good business is a force for good
     - Richard Newton, Royal Institue of International Affairs Conferance on Corruption, March 19, 1999