At the IAPA’s Midyear Meeting, the former president spoke with scholar Silvio Waisbord
Miami (April 24, 2025) — In one of the most thought-provoking sessions of the first day of the Inter American Press Association’s (IAPA) 2025 virtual Midyear Meeting, former President of Costa Rica Laura Chinchilla held a deep conversation with Argentine scholar Silvio Waisbord about the structural, social, and political challenges threatening the sustainability of democracy in the Americas.
Chinchilla, the first woman to serve as president of her country (2010–2014), warned that “democracy cannot be taken for granted,” noting that even the most stable democracies are experiencing a process of decline, driven by public disillusionment, state inefficiency, and the rise of authoritarianism. “Even the most consolidated democracies are suffering setbacks,” she cautioned.
According to Chinchilla, the roots of the crisis are deep: “Nearly 75% of the Latin American population believes their governments serve elites rather than the majority. Over 50% feel unsafe in their daily lives, and an increasing number are willing to accept an undemocratic government if it would meet their demands.” This sense of abandonment, she argued, has led to a dramatic loss of trust in the core institutions of democratic systems. “Only 13% trust political parties, 20% trust legislatures, and 25% trust the judiciary,” she noted.
Waisbord, a professor at George Washington University’s School of Media and Public Affairs, agreed that a mix of fear, uncertainty, and political alienation is being exploited by populist leaders who offer authoritarian solutions, often at the expense of fundamental rights and freedoms.
Both speakers agreed that reversing this trend requires more than political reform. “We need a true state reform that equips governments with effective tools to respond to citizens’ needs in a timely manner,” said Chinchilla. She added, “The example of the United States—with a democracy paralyzed by veto-cracy—shows how institutional inefficiency can undermine even the oldest democracies.”
The discussion also addressed the need to rethink systems of political representation and to promote participatory mechanisms that can rebuild trust between citizens and institutions. “People feel disconnected from the system. When we get them to participate, to hold institutions accountable, to make decisions—the institutions gain legitimacy,” the former president said.
The session offered a clear and urgent diagnosis of democratic decline in the region, but also a roadmap for rebuilding it—based on stronger state capacity, genuine representation, and openness to new forms of participation.
About the Panelists:
Laura Chinchilla served as President of Costa Rica (2010–2014) and has held key positions including Minister of Public Security, Minister of Justice, congresswoman, and Vice President. She is an international consultant and academic affiliated with institutions such as Georgetown University, Tecnológico de Monterrey, and the University of São Paulo.
Silvio Waisbord is a professor at George Washington University’s School of Media and Public Affairs, author and editor of 20 books on communication, politics, and media, and former president of the International Communication Association. He holds a Ph.D. in Sociology from the University of California, San Diego.
The IAPA is a non-profit organization dedicated to defending and promoting freedom of the press and expression in the Americas. It comprises more than 1,300 publications from the western hemisphere and is based in Miami, Florida, United States.