Gabriela Serrano

Building on our election observation mission to Colombia’s 2026 presidential election, IRI met with @CNE_Colombia President @JFLemosU, VP @joseaparraf, & newly elected magistrates to identify shared priorities & strengthen cooperation ahead of #Colombia’s 2027 regional elections. Strong democratic institutions are key to prosperity & stability in 🇨🇴 & across the Western Hemisphere.

Colombia 🇨🇴 is a vital U.S. partner in advancing security & stability across the Western Hemisphere. In New York, IRI president @DCTwining spoke with Colombian Vice President @jrestrp, underscoring our commitment to working with political & civic leaders across the country to promote democracy & freedom. Strong, transparent institutions are the foundation for shared security & prosperity.

IRI President @DCTwining sat down with Peruvian President @KeikoFujimori in New York today to discuss the political & economic issues shaping Peru’s future. What happens in Peru 🇵🇪 has direct implications for stability across the Western Hemisphere, making strong 🇺🇸-🇵🇪 ties essential to advancing shared security & prosperity.

IRI’s @garrastazuTony & IRI partners @marcelaprietobo, @REvanEllis, & @SergioGuzmanE joined @danielbatlle at the @HudsonInstitute to discuss Colombia’s political landscape under President @ABDELAESPRIELLA. 🇺🇸-🇨🇴 They also explored what the new government could mean for 🇺🇸-🇨🇴cooperation & shared security & prosperity across the Western Hemisphere. Watch the full conversation: youtube.com/live/VynlR89xjRY…

Looking forward to hosting Argentine President @JMilei next week in NYC alongside @fedyliber & @Citi. A U.S.-Argentina partnership grounded in fundamental liberties & strong democratic institutions can advance shared prosperity, strengthen critical supply chains, counter authoritarian influence, & bolster security across the Western Hemisphere.🌎

Launched last week at @FIU’s @GordonInstitute & produced with IRI support, the @MirandaCenterD’s latest report exposes how authoritarian regimes collaborate & use economic control to sustain power. Venezuelan oil fueled the expansion of Cuba’s military-run conglomerate GAESA, which controls 40–50% of Cuba’s economy. The Maduro regime then replicated key elements of #Cuba’s military-commercial model in #Venezuela. Economic capture is not just a byproduct of corruption. It is a strategy for authoritarian survival. Read the report: mirandacenter.org/gaesa/

Since 2018, IRI has worked to strengthen political representation in Colombia’s conflict-affected regions through research, voter & civic education, political party engagement, & training for congressional candidates & representatives 🇨🇴. We built on these efforts by training newly elected representatives from Colombia’s Special Transitional Peace Constituencies (#CITREP), equipping them to effectively represent conflict-affected communities in Congress. Stronger representation helps address drivers of conflict & build a more peaceful, stable #Colombia.

As Colombia 🇨🇴 celebrates its independence today, IRI is proud to partner with democratic leaders working to safeguard the country’s democratic future. This year, we helped expand access to trusted electoral information in conflict-affected areas, trained women political candidates, promoted civic participation ahead of the peace district elections, & deployed international observation missions that helped reinforce transparency & public confidence throughout Colombia’s legislative & presidential elections. Learn more about our work in 🇨🇴: iri.org/search/?_search=colo…