Latin America

After the presidential and parliamentary elections in Guatemala last Sunday it was clear that there would be a second round of run-off elections to decide weather former general Otto Perez Molina or centre-left businessman Alvaro Colom would become the new head of state. The new poll to confirm a president will take place in November. Read more about the election results on Al Jazeera and about the situation of the indigenous voters in Guatemala in the New York Times. Join the debate in our forums: Why bother to vote?

Almost two years after Evo Morales gained 54 percent of the votes to become President of Bolivia he faces his toughest crisis: For over a century La Paz and Sucre have shared the title of Bolivia's capital. Now this situation is at stake, with proposals to transfer executive and legislative government to Sucre. With raising tensions among protesters, police and military forces as well as limitations in freedom expression, many are concerned about the new un-democratic movement in the young democracy of Bolivia.

Read more about the democratic Bolivian revolution BBC News online, from AP and Jurist.

Join the debate in our forums: What would make you start a revolution? and follow our documentary Looking for a Revolution, which shows how Evo Morales, the first indigenous leader in Bolivia became President.

On Sunday Guatemalans vote for a new head of state as well as for , while they experience the most violent campaign in their history, experts say. Almost 50 people were killed during the campaign in a land that is still recovering from 36 years of civil war.

Read more about the situation on Reuters, as well as on the presidential candidates.

Learn about democracy and crime in the Economist and join the debate in our forums: Can terrorism destroy democracy?

After he served half of his sentence for planning an overthrow of President Juan Carlos Wasmosy in 1996, the former General Lino Cesar Oviedo was released from prison due to good behavior. Just hours after his release, he swore to govern Paraguay and promised to run for the presidency in 2008.

Read more about the event in International Herald Tribune and on United Press International. Join the debate in our forums: Why bother to vote?

Political activists in Cuba unite and form an organised group to facilitate the transition of the country after the soon to be expected decease of Fidel Castro. The current internal dissidents want to prepare a gradual and peaceful transition from communism to democracy in Cuba. Read more about their plans on Al Jazeera online.

Join the debate in our forums: What would make you start a revolution?

After over three months of arguing accusations of corruption, Renan Calheiros, an ally of President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, was outvoted of his position in the senate. Read more about the scandal on BBC News online.

Join the debate in our forums: Why bother to vote?

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One Year after his controversial election, the Mexican President Felipe Calderon reminded the split National Congress to act on behalf of the land's contemporary problems to prepare Mexico for the future. Read more about it on People's Daily Online.

Join the debate in our forum: What is wrong with democracy?