Máximo Zaldívar

Regional Director

Latin America & the Caribbean

General Inquiries

media@ifes.org

+1 (202) 350-6700

Máximo Zaldívar serves as regional director for Latin America and the Caribbean at the International Foundation for Electoral Systems. He has over 20 years of experience in democracy, elections, and political processes.

Originally from El Salvador, he has led democracy and governance programs around the world. He has served in Colombia, Guatemala, Iraq, Mexico, South Sudan, Timor-Leste, and Venezuela on programs funded by the United States Agency for International Development, Office for Transition Initiatives, U.S Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs and the National Endowment for Democracy.

Zaldívar previously worked for the International Republican Institute, Social Impact, Union of Latin American Parties, Central American Parliament, and the Salvadoran Embassy in Guatemala.

Zaldívar holds a bachelor’s degree in political science and a master’s degree in human rights, both from Rafael Landivar University in Guatemala. He is fluent in English, Spanish, Portuguese, and German.

Latest

Latest

Election Snapshot

IFES’ electoral expert participates in a voting tabulation simulation prior to the regional and municipal elections.

Elections in Peru: 2022 Regional and Municipal Elections On Sunday, Oct. 2, Peruvian voters will elect officials to regional and municipal offices throughout Peru’s 25 regions and the capital province of Lima for 2023 through 2026. September 30, 2022

Election Snapshot

Electoral Court employees work on the final stage of sealing electronic voting machines in preparation for the 2022 general election in Brazil.

Elections in Brazil: 2022 General Elections On Sunday, Oct. 2, Brazilian voters will elect the president and the vice president on a single ticket. Brazilians will also elect governors; some senators; and all federal deputies, state deputies and federal district deputies. September 30, 2022

News and Updates Feature

Enhancing Indigenous Women’s Political Leadership in Ecuador In May 2022, IFES and Fundación Esquel Ecuador launched a training process with Indigenous women from Movimiento de Unidad Plurinacional Pachakutik – Nuevo País (Pachakutik Plurinational Unity Movement, or Pachakutik) on gender parity and political leadership. August 9, 2022

Publication Electoral Assessment

IFES Conducts Technical Observation and Assessment of 2020 Sint Eustatius Island Council Elections IFES conducted an electoral assessment of Saint Eustatius' 2020 island council elections.  October 13, 2021

News and Updates Feature

IFES and Ecuador’s National Electoral Council Host IT and Cybersecurity Lessons Learned Following 2021 Elections Based on the lessons learned exercise, IFES and the National Electoral Council are drafting a final report that will formalize recommendations and develop a roadmap. August 6, 2021

Publication Report/Paper

Taking Stock: Opportunities for Electoral Improvements in the Dominican Republic IFES supported the Dominican Republic's Central Electoral Board to identify reform priorities following the 2021 electoral process. June 30, 2021

IFES Mentions

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El Tiempo Ecuador goes to the polls to elect its president IFES Latin America & Caribbean regional director Max Zaldívar discusses Ecuador's election. August 20, 2023

Guatemala Visible Interview with Máximo Zaldívar IFES Latin America & Caribbean regional director Max Zaldívar discusses Guatemala's recent election and electoral system. June 26, 2023

Guatemala Radio Channels “Por una elecciones inclusivas y democráticas" IFES Latin America & the Caribbean regional director Max Zaldívar discusses IFES's inclusion work in Guatemala, ahead of the general elections in June. May 4, 2023