Latin America: Government Brazil, Mexico & Cuba

Brazil Federal Republic President– Head of government & Chief of state Divides power between a national (federal) and local (state) governments. Document (constitution) may describe the rights and responsibilities of each group. Decisions made by elected officials who represent the people. President– Head of government & Chief of state Elected by the citizens Serves a 4 year term Only allowed to serve 2 terms Voting Requirements Citizens vote at the local and national level MANDATORY for ALL citizens ages 18-70 who can read Between 16-18 & Over 70 years old – voting is optional

Personal Freedoms Granted to Citizens Freedom of Speech and Assembly Personal property laws are not always protected. The courts cannot be trusted to help the people in all situations Basic Economics Allows for free trade and free enterprise People can work where they want or start their own business Other Info Each of the 26 states has its own constitution and legislature Vote for governor and legislature National Congress = 2 houses Chamber of Deputies = 8-70 representative from each state elected Federal Senate = 3 senators elected

Mexico Federal Republic Very similar structure to the United States Variety of political parties President – Head of government & Chief of State Elected by the people Serves a 6 year term Is only allowed to serve 1 term Has much more power than the other branches of government Voting Requirements Citizens vote at the local and national level MANDATORY voting once you turn 18.

Personal Freedoms Granted to Citizens Freedom of Speech and Assembly The court system is managed by the central government. It is NOT totally independent of the President. Basic Economics Allows for free trade and free enterprise People can work where they want or start their own business Other Info Mexico has 31 states Legislative (lawmaking) branch has 2 parts, the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies Senate: 128 members; serve 6 year terms Chamber of Deputies: 500 members; serve 3 years Mexicans also vote for state governors (6 years) and city mayors (3 years).

Cuba Unitary Socialist Republic Dictatorship . . . Technically a President Head of Government & Chief of State Has absolute authority Serves a 5 year term . . . Elected by the legislature Raul Castro = Dictator Fidel Castro’s brother, Raul, assumed duties when Castro fell ill in 2006 Voting Requirements Voters only have 1 political party to choose from . . . The Communist Party MANDATORY voting in elections beginning at age 16.

Personal Freedoms Dictator controls ALL aspects of Cuban life through the Communist Party Citizens can be put in prison for criticizing the Communist Party or the “President” Basic Economics No free trade or free enterprise Command System . . . Government owns and controls everything Other Info National Assembly – 1 house legislature of 600 members Meets two times a year and is lead by the president (Castro) Appoints the Council of State which has 31 members Controls the economy with the Communist Party Voters in the 14 Cuban provinces elect members of the municipal assemblies - who choose members for the provincial assemblies Members of both assemblies server for 2 1/2 years - unpaid

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