The Threat to Latin American Term Limits

Issue Date October 2025
Volume 36
Issue 4
Page Numbers 104–15
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Latin American presidential term limits are oftentimes in peril. Today, term limits, which have historically acted as an important check on authoritarianism, face a new threat: judicial assaults based upon human-rights considerations purportedly tied to international human-rights treaties. This essay outlines four cases of term-limit backsliding, in Bolivia, El Salvador, Honduras, and Nicaragua, their use of these novel arguments, and the consequences for each country. The essay concludes with an overview of relevant legal rulings and the ramifications for future would-be presidential overstayers and for democracy in Latin America.

About the Authors

Benjamin N. Gedan

Benjamin N. Gedan is a fellow in the Latin America Studies Initiative at the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies.

View all work by Benjamin N. Gedan

Elias French

Elias French is an independent researcher who has served as director of research at Zeno Group.

View all work by Elias French

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