Across Latin America, countries have come a long way in building democratic institutions. Most hold competitive and inclusive elections, for example. But the pervasive presence of organized crime and corruption has made progress in other areas, like the rule of law, difficult, leaving trust in the state almost nonexistent in many parts of Latin American.

Kevin Casas-Zamora, secretary-general of the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance, joins Peter Dörrie to discuss these issues, as well as the region's reaction to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, given Moscow's attempts over the past two decades to strengthen its ties to Latin America.

Relevant articles on WPR:

Venezuela's Crisis Could Be Another Casualty of Russia's Ukraine Invasion

War Returns to Colombia's Countryside

Costa Rica's Fragmented Politics Is Failing to Deliver Results

Castro Will Have Her Hands Full Cleaning Up Honduras' Mafia State

Trend Lines is produced and edited by Peter Dörrie, a freelance journalist and analyst focusing on security and resource politics in Africa. You can follow him on Twitter at @peterdoerrie.