WHO WE ARE
Our primary objective is the establishment of fair and free societies where democracy serves as a fundamental pillar. We actively promote mutual respect and human dignity, striving to embed these essential values within communities throughout our region.On this page, you can explore comprehensive details about CEPRODE, including our mission, vision, organizational history, dedicated team members, strategic partners, and valued sponsors. Discover how we proactively work to strengthen democratic institutions and generate meaningful, lasting impacts across the Americas.
​Mission and Vision
​
​Our Mission
Our mission is to promote and disseminate the core values of democracy, tolerance, freedom, and human rights throughout the Americas. We aim to contribute actively to the development of fair, equitable, and free societies, where democratic principles are not only upheld but integrated into everyday life, and where mutual respect and human dignity form the foundation of community interactions.
Our Vision
Our vision is to foster a humane and democratic society, firmly rooted in the principles of democracy, tolerance, freedom, and justice. We envision communities where democratic practices are deeply embedded, ensuring that every individual can participate fully, live freely, and thrive within a just and respectful environment.
Our Story​
​
We are a private, non-profit thought center deeply committed to advancing democracy, human rights, and fundamental values throughout the Americas. Our primary mission is to support the creation of fair and free societies, where democracy serves as a cornerstone, and the principles of mutual respect and human dignity are actively upheld.
On this page, you will discover comprehensive information about our organization, including our mission, vision, history, dedicated team members, valued partners, and supportive sponsors. We invite you to explore how our ongoing initiatives and collaborative efforts contribute significantly to strengthening democratic institutions and fostering positive societal impacts across our region.
Together, through strategic partnerships, research, advocacy, and education, we continuously strive to make meaningful advancements toward a more equitable and democratic hemisphere.
Our Team
Our Management Team
Our management team leads and coordinates the activities of a diverse and multidisciplinary group of professionals to ensure excellence in project execution and the successful achievement of our organizational goals. Each member of our team brings their extensive experience and specialized expertise, enabling us to consistently deliver innovative, high-quality solutions across all our service areas.
To further enhance our capabilities and extend our global reach, we maintain representatives strategically located in key cities, including Miami (USA), La Paz and Santa Cruz (Bolivia), Bogotá (Colombia), and Mexico City (Mexico). This strategic presence allows us to provide responsive support, foster close relationships with our clients and collaborators, and maintain a keen understanding of local contexts and requirements.
Our team comprises thirty highly qualified professionals, each expert in their respective fields, guided by our distinged ment staff.
Hugo San Martin Arzabe
Executive Director and Chairman of the Board of Directors
​
Hugo San Martin Arzabe holds a distinguished career marked by extensive academic and professional achievements in law, political science, and international security. He obtained his degree in Legal Sciences and further advanced his education with a Master's Degree in Strategic Studies and International Security from the University of Granada (Spain) and another Master's Degree in Political Science from the Latin American Faculty of Social Sciences (Costa Rica).
Hugo has served prominently as both a minister and parliamentarian, demonstrating significant leadership and profound expertise in governance and legislative processes. His professional journey includes a deep commitment to public service, policy formulation, and strategic oversight in governmental and organizational roles.
An acclaimed lecturer, Hugo frequently engages audiences on critical contemporary issues, including Security, Governance, Foresight, and Populism. He has been invited to speak at numerous prestigious academic institutions throughout Latin America, the United States, and Spain, reflecting his international recognition and influence in these specialized fields.
Through his multifaceted experience, Hugo San Martin Arzabe brings valuable insights and strategic guidance, contributing effectively to the organizations and institutions with which he collaborates. His leadership fosters an informed understanding of global and regional political dynamics, enhancing both governance frameworks and strategic decision-making processes.
John Medina
Project Management and Financial Administration
​
John Medina is a seasoned Colombian lawyer who graduated from the Los Libertadores University Foundation, holding specialized expertise in Migration. Throughout his dynamic career, John has actively engaged in diverse roles across the fields of Business Intelligence and Policy Analysis, contributing significantly to companies and agencies based in Colombia, the United States, and Spain.
With proven leadership abilities, John has successfully directed operational teams and spearheaded judicial investigations, demonstrating exceptional strategic planning and decision-making skills. His extensive experience includes comprehensive context analysis in conflict situations, providing critical insights that support informed decision-making processes and risk management strategies.
John's international exposure and multidisciplinary background equip him uniquely for managing complex projects and financial administration tasks. His meticulous approach ensures efficiency, compliance, and strategic alignment with organizational objectives. John Medina is recognized for his dedication, analytical rigor, and his adeptness at navigating challenging environments while delivering consistent and impactful results.
Luca Pellegrini
Geopolitical Analyst
Currently working at CEPRODE Europe, Centro de Profundización de la Democracia in Prague. Prior to this role, Luca accumulated extensive experience in Cybersecurity and data analysis, working as a Cybersecurity analyst and author. His professional journey also includes significant roles in system administration and data analysis at major companies such as FIAMM S.p.A., Mercedes-Benz AG, BMW and many others focusing into the automotive industry.
Before transitioning into these technical and analytical roles, Luca spent over 20 years working for Deutsche Bank, Findomestic (BNP Paribas), Fiamm S.p.A. and Infosys BPM, where he was involved in access and system administration. Alongside his corporate career, he has been actively engaged with the Forum for Human Rights in Prague since August 2022, serving as an administrator and managing social media and communications, reflecting his commitment to human rights advocacy.
Pellegrini's educational background includes studies in computer science and economics, having graduated at the V. Monti private institute in Ferrara (Italy) as an accountant and programmer with high marks, and also completed a computer analyst training at CNA Italy and gained experience in data analysis and private investigations working for private institutions such as Magnum Security and many others in Milan, Rome, Bologna, Munich and Prague. His professional development is marked by numerous certifications in Cybersecurity, machine learning, and AI ethics, including specialized training in Maltego for Cybercrime investigations and Microsoft Sentinel environments, obtained between 2022 and 2025.
Fluent in Italian and English, with working proficiency in Czech and French, Luca combines technical expertise with a strong international outlook. His career trajectory from financial advisory roles in Italy and Germany to Cybersecurity and geopolitical analysis in Prague demonstrates a versatile and evolving professional profile, grounded in both technology and human rights concerns. This blend of skills and experiences positions him uniquely at the intersection of Cybersecurity, data analysis, and geopolitical affairs.
​Partners and Sponsors - CEPRODE
​​​​​​​​​
At CEPRODE, we deeply value collaboration and collective efforts. We actively build strategic alliances with diverse organizations, academic institutions, governmental bodies, private sector entities, and civil society actors who share our unwavering commitment to promoting democracy, human rights, and social justice.
These strategic partnerships allow us to leverage complementary strengths, share knowledge and resources, and coordinate efforts effectively, enabling us to create significant and sustainable impacts across the communities we serve. Through cooperative initiatives, joint projects, research collaborations, and advocacy efforts, we continuously strive to achieve common goals that benefit society at large.
We sincerely appreciate the ongoing support and contributions of our partners and sponsors, whose involvement and dedication are vital to the successful execution of our activities and projects. Their collaboration provides essential financial, logistical, technical, and intellectual support, empowering us to broaden our outreach, enhance the quality and effectiveness of our initiatives, and strengthen democratic institutions and practices throughout the Americas.
We remain committed to maintaining transparent, inclusive, and mutually beneficial relationships with all our partners and sponsors, recognizing that together we can more effectively foster democratic values, uphold human dignity, and cultivate mutual respect across diverse societies.
Our Values - CEPRODE
At CEPRODE, our work is firmly rooted in a set of core values that shape and guide all our activities and initiatives. These foundational principles include transparency, equity, inclusion, respect for human rights, plurality, and constructive dialogue.
Transparency: We maintain openness and clarity in all our actions, fostering trust among our stakeholders and the communities we serve.
Equity: We strive for fairness and justice, ensuring that our activities benefit all individuals equally, especially marginalized and vulnerable groups.
Inclusion: We actively promote diversity and inclusive practices, ensuring participation and representation of all sectors of society.
Respect for Human Rights: We uphold and advocate for fundamental human rights, recognizing their essential role in establishing free and dignified societies.
Plurality: We value diverse perspectives and encourage a variety of viewpoints to foster richer discussions and more robust solutions.
Constructive Dialogue: We engage openly and respectfully in dialogue, promoting understanding, cooperation, and peaceful conflict resolution.
We believe strongly in the necessity of these values as critical components for building societies that are fair, democratic, and respectful. Through our commitment to these principles, CEPRODE continuously contributes to creating positive and lasting change.