1. Latin America: Government
Brazil, Mexico & Cuba

2. 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 who can read
Between & Over 70 years old – voting is optional

3. 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

4. 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.

5. 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).

6. 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.

7. 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

8. Review