Journalist Paola Ramos recently visited Books & Books in Coral Gables to promote her book, “Defectors,” which investigates the shift of some Latino voters toward far-right ideologies, challenging the belief that the demographic is a Democratic stronghold.
The daughter of veteran journalists Jorge Ramos and Gina Montaner, Ramos highlighted that issues such as immigration policies, economic challenges and dissatisfaction with the Democratic party have led some Latinos to join conservative movements, even supporting Donald Trump. She argued that race and identity, intensified by political trauma and cultural disconnection, are key factors in this transformation.
“I wrote the book to answer questions I couldn’t resolve while studying politics,” she said. “It was a challenge given the many objections I had about the Democratic Party.”
Approximately 34.5 million Latinos are eligible to vote this election season, an increase of nearly 4 million since 2020. Their participation will be especially significant in battleground states like Arizona, Nevada, Georgia, Pennsylvania and Florida, influencing national outcomes.
