As you enter
SS6CG2 The student will explain
the structures of national
governments in Latin America and
the Caribbean.
Cuba is a dictatorship. A dictatorship is a
form of government in which a ruler or
small clique wield absolute power (not
restricted by a constitution or laws).
Brazil Chief of state: President
 Head of government: President
 Brazil has a President who is both the chief of state and head of
government.
 Elections:
President and vice president elected on the same ticket by
popular vote for a single four-year term. (CIA World Factbook)
 Bicameral National Congress consists of the Federal Senate and
the Chamber of Deputies.
 Members of the Federal Senate and the Chamber of Deputies
are elected.
 Suffrage:
Voluntary between 16 and 18 years of age and over 70;
compulsory over 18 and under 70 years of age; note - military
conscripts do not vote
Mexico
 Chief of state: President
 Head of government: President
 Mexico has a President who is both the chief of state and head
of government.
 Elections: President elected by popular vote for a single six-year
term.
 Bicameral National Congress consists of the Senate and the
Chamber of Deputies.
 National Congress and Chamber of Deputies members are
elected by popular vote.
 Suffrage: 18 years of age; compulsory (but not enforced)
Cuba
 Chief of state: President
 Head of government: President
 Cuba has a President who is both the chief of state and head of
government.
 Elections: President and vice president elected by the National
Assembly (legislature) for a term of five years; election last held
February 2008. The president and vice president were elected with
100% of the legislative vote.
 Cuba’s Communist Party is the only legal party, and officially
sanctioned candidates to the Legislative branch (Nation Assembly)
run unopposed.
 Unicameral National Assembly of People's Power.
 Members are elected directly from slates approved by special
candidacy commissions to serve five-year terms.
 Fidel Castro ruled Cuba from 1959 to 2008. When he stepped down
his brother Raul became ruler.
 Suffrage: 16 years of age.