Latin America’s authoritarian regimes have evolved, and so have their methods of controlling their societies and silencing dissent. Autocrats in the region are increasing their use of arbitrary detention and imprisonment, deploying new forms of transnational repression, and adopting a range of technologies, often in cooperation with other authoritarian regimes or criminal organizations.

These new, increasingly effective forms of repression leave dissidents, journalists, and other democratic actors in perilous situations, stifling efforts to mobilize citizens. Moreover, the United States and other democracies have not kept up with the autocrats’ expanding playbook, so outside efforts to support democratic movements are often at a significant disadvantage.

Join Hudson Adjunct Fellow Daniel Batlle for a conversation with Nicaraguan democracy leader and Freedom House Trustee Félix Maradiaga to examine how today’s autocrats exert control and why democracies need new tactics to support democratic leaders in the region.