Latin America is a hot spot of activity these days. Are you interested in learning about elections in Venezuela and Mexico? How about discussing the new president of Argentina? Join professors Jeffrey J. Ryan and Erika Almenara to explore the implications for democracy and security with the reelection of Bukele's in El Salvador, the security crisis in Ecuador and the massive deep-water port for container ships currently being built in Peru but financed by China.

This interactive talk takes place at noon Monday, Feb. 19, at the Latin American and Latino Studies office, Old Main 203.  

Ryan is an associate professor of comparative politics and Latin American & Latino studies. He is the recipient of a number of teaching awards, including the Fulbright College Master Teacher Award (1996) and the university-wide Dr. John and Mrs. Lois Imhoff Award for Outstanding Teaching and Student Mentorship (2011). Professor Ryan teaches courses in comparative politics, Latin American politics, inter-American politics and political violence. His published work has ranged from issues relating to anti-immigrant voting in the global South; the impact of decentralization on participation and accountability in Costa Rica; state terrorism in Uruguay; comparative ethics reform in Arkansas and Jalisco, Mexico; decentralization and democratic instability; and the impact of neoliberal reforms on electoral abstention.  

Almenara is associate professor of Spanish and associate director of the Latin American and Latino Studies Program. She was a Fulbright Senior Scholar (Peru 2022-2023) and is currently the president of the Peru Section of the Latin American Studies Association. Her research and teaching interests include Latin American oral, written and visual culture; literary, critical, subaltern and post-colonial theory; radical thought and avant-garde aesthetics in the Andes and the Southern Cone; as well as Women's, Gender and Sexuality Studies.