Mark Feierstein is a senior advisor with the Latin America program at USIP.

Prior to USIP, Feierstein served for more than three decades at senior levels in the public and private sectors. In government, he has served as senior director for Western Hemisphere affairs and special assistant to the president on the National Security Council, acting deputy administrator as well as assistant administrator for Latin America and the Caribbean at USAID, and as acting deputy chief of mission for the U.S. Mission to the Organization of American States.

Outside government, Feierstein has spent time as a principal at a polling firm, as director for Latin America at the National Democratic Institute, and as a journalist in Mexico and the United States. In addition to his USIP role, he serves as a senior advisor with Dentons Global Advisors, where he advises clients on investment risks and opportunities in Latin America, and at the polling firm GBAO, where he conducts public opinion research for multinational companies, foundations and political figures throughout the world.

Throughout his career, Feierstein has worked to advance democracy and respect for human rights. He has advised democratic movements in authoritarian settings, promoted peace processes to end violent conflict and designed programs to advance economic development, strengthen the rule of law, promote civic education and combat violent extremism.

Feierstein has published in numerous newspapers and journals on U.S. foreign policy and Latin American politics. His most recent articles have focused on Venezuela, where he has made the case for elections as the best option to advance a democratic transition, noted the role that businesses can play in supporting refugees and urged a bipartisan U.S approach.

Feierstein has a bachelor’s in international relations from Tufts University and a master’s in international affairs from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy. He is fluent in Spanish.
 

Publications By Mark

El Salvador’s Bukele: From ‘World’s Coolest Dictator’ to ‘Philosopher King’

El Salvador’s Bukele: From ‘World’s Coolest Dictator’ to ‘Philosopher King’

Thursday, February 8, 2024

By: Mark Feierstein;  Keith Mines;  Mary Speck, Ph.D.;  Ricardo Zúniga

El Salvador’s president, Nayib Bukele, celebrated a landslide electoral victory on Feb. 4, far outstripping his nearest competitor. “The opposition was pulverized,” Bukele told jubilant crowds outside the National Palace on election night. In reply to critics who warn that El Salvador is moving toward authoritarianism, he proclaimed, “we are not substituting democracy because El Salvador has never had democracy.” The leader who once called himself the “world’s coolest dictator” now boasts of being his country’s “philosopher king.”

Type: AnalysisQuestion and Answer

Global Elections & ConflictGlobal Policy

Un avance sobre las elecciones de 2024 en América Latina

Un avance sobre las elecciones de 2024 en América Latina

Tuesday, January 16, 2024

By: Lucila Del Aguila Llausas;  Nicolás Devia-Valbuena;  Mark Feierstein;  Keith Mines;  Mary Speck, Ph.D.

En los últimos años, el sentimiento anti-oficialista se ha apoderado de la mayoría de América Latina, moviendo el péndulo electoral hacia la izquierda en México, Colombia, Honduras y Brasil, trastocando las coaliciones corruptas que durante mucho tiempo han gobernado en Guatemala y entregando la presidencia de Argentina a un autoproclamado "anarcocapitalista". Sin embargo, el 2024 podría resultar ser un buen año para los candidatos del oficialismo. En los cinco países con elecciones este año —El Salvador, Panamá, República Dominicana, Uruguay y México—, los aspirantes de los partidos gobernantes, al menos hasta ahora, encabezan las encuestas.

Type: Analysis

Democracy & GovernanceGlobal Elections & Conflict

A Preview of 2024 Elections Throughout Latin America

A Preview of 2024 Elections Throughout Latin America

Tuesday, January 16, 2024

By: Lucila Del Aguila Llausas;  Nicolás Devia-Valbuena;  Mark Feierstein;  Keith Mines;  Mary Speck, Ph.D.

Anti-incumbent sentiment has gripped much of Latin America in recent years, swinging electoral results leftward in Mexico, Colombia, Honduras and Brazil, upending the corrupt coalitions that have long ruled Guatemala, and handing the presidency of Argentina to a self-proclaimed “anarcho-capitalist.” But 2024 may prove to be a good year for establishment politicians. In the five countries with elections on the calendar — El Salvador, Panama, Dominican Republic, Uruguay and Mexico — insider candidates are polling ahead, at least so far.

Type: Analysis

Democracy & GovernanceGlobal Elections & Conflict

Cautious Hopes for a Breakthrough in Venezuela

Cautious Hopes for a Breakthrough in Venezuela

Monday, October 16, 2023

By: Mark Feierstein

Hopes that an election in Venezuela next year might resolve the country’s political divisions and revive a moribund economy have reemerged as the Biden administration and Nicolás Maduro’s regime are reportedly near an agreement to lift some U.S. sanctions in return for steps to hold a fair contest in 2024. Still, considering recent history, skepticism abounds among the international community that the authoritarian government would allow an opposition candidate to win the election and take office.

Type: Analysis

Democracy & Governance

View All