Question

A new student is joining your class today. You want to help them catch up with the material that they missed from this lesson. Write a summary paragraph about the governments of Latin America based on information from this text. Be sure to state each type of government used in Mexico, Brazil, and Cuba. Include the title and the role of the leader in each of these governments as well as how the leader is chosen for this role. Also, include information about the role of the citizen in the governments of each of these three countries.











A new student is joining your class today. You want to help them catch up with the material that they missed from this lesson. Write a summary paragraph about the governments of Latin America based on information from this text. Be sure to state each type of government used in Mexico, Brazil, and Cuba. Include the title and the role of the leader in each of these governments as well as how the leader is chosen for this role. Also, include information about the role of the citizen in the governments of each of these three countries.

Answer 1

Countries in Latin America use different systems of government. Mexico is a federal presidential republic: its head of state and government is the President of Mexico, who leads the executive branch, implements and enforces laws, directs foreign policy and the armed forces, and appoints cabinet members; the president is chosen by a direct popular vote in a nationwide election for a single six‑year term (no immediate re‑election). Mexican citizens (age 18+) participate in multiparty elections, join parties and civil society, and vote in federal, state and local contests. Brazil is a federative (federal) presidential republic: the President of Brazil is the head of state and government, commander‑in‑chief, chief executive and policy leader who appoints ministers and proposes legislation; the president is elected by direct popular vote using a two‑round system (if no candidate wins a majority in the first round) for a four‑year term and may be re‑elected once. Brazilian citizens take part in a competitive multiparty system and vote in presidential, legislative and local elections (voting is compulsory for most adults 18–70, optional for 16–17 and those over 70 or illiterate). Cuba is a one‑party socialist state dominated by the Communist Party: the formal head of state and government is the President of the Republic (and the Communist Party’s First Secretary is the most powerful political figure); the president is chosen by the National Assembly of People’s Power rather than by a direct multiparty popular vote, and candidates for the Assembly and higher offices are nominated through state‑run/official channels. Cuban citizens can vote in elections for municipal and national delegates and participate in mass organizations, but political competition is tightly controlled and independent opposition parties are not permitted.