Luis Guillermo Solis

Incoming LACC director leads independent electoral observations in Guatemala

Former Costa Rican President and FIU professor Luis Guillermo Solís Rivera traveled to Guatemala in the summer of 2019 to lead an independent team charged with observing the nation’s elections. Solís, who is the incoming director of the Kimberly Green Latin American and Caribbean Center, was chosen by the Organization of American States (OAS) to head its independent electoral mission to Guatemala, which held general elections for president and Congress in June 2019. The electoral mission was made up of 84 observers from 23 nations. The group of specialists will conduct an analysis of key themes: electoral organization; electoral technology; financing of campaigns; electoral justice; women participating in politics; participation of indigenous and Afro-descended communities; foreign voting and the political party system. OAS Secretary General Luis Almagro announced the appointment on social media, saying it was a “priority of the OAS” to support the “strengthening of democracy” in its member states. “I cannot think of a better person to navigate through the challenges presented by this year’s election in Guatemala than President Solis,’’ said Frank Mora, outgoing director of LACC and a former U.S. deputy assistant secretary of defense for the Western Hemisphere. “His leadership and commitment to democracy and the rule of law in the hemisphere will provide the OAS delegation with the credibility needed to have its judgments respected by all parties.” Electoral missions of the OAS provide local support and impartial observation of the electoral process to help ensure free and transparent elections and strengthen democracy in the region.

“This important mission will take place amidst a context of political instability in one of the key actors of the Central American community,’’

said Solís, who began his tenure as professor at LACC in August 2018. “It demonstrates the continued international recognition of Costa Rica in the promotion and defense of democracy. It is my privilege to uphold, defend and reflect the democratic principles and values which we all hold dear.” Solís first came to international prominence as an aide to the president of Costa Rica during Central American peace negotiations in the 1980s.

He previously served as a researcher and Fulbright Scholar with the Latin American and Caribbean Center (LACC) and also worked with FIU’s Center for the Administration of Justice, both part of the Green School. In 2017, Solís received FIU’s Presidential Gold Medallion – the highest honor the university bestows upon heads of state and other high-ranking public officials. His lengthy academic career includes nearly 30 years at the University of Costa Rica, where he held various positions, including a deanship, and remains a tenured professor of history and political science. He has written, co-written and edited 10 books and published more than 60 academic articles. Solís holds a bachelor’s degree in history from the University of Costa Rica and a master’s degree in Latin American studies from Tulane University in New Orleans.

Former Costa Rican President Luis Guillermo Solís led the Organization of American States electoral observation mission in Guatemala in June 2019.