Marcelo Varela-Erasheva, is an expert political scientist and project manager with over 25 years of experience in international affairs and development. He returns to International IDEA´s team as Project Manager for the Electoral Support Project in Guyana.

He was the Chief of Party and Resident Director for the International Foundation for Electoral Systems in Honduras, leading the USAID-funded project Enhanced Democratic Leadership in Elections for Citizen Confidence and Trust. Marcelo has a strong background in strategic planning, team leadership, and project management, with a focus on improving living standards, democracy, and human rights.

Marcelo's career includes significant roles such as Program Manager for International IDEA’s Permanent Cooperation Program to the Electoral Tribunal of Panama, Expert Consultant on Elections and Democracy for the Organization of American States, and Costa Rican Ambassador to Türkiye. He has also served as Deputy Permanent Representative of Costa Rica to the UN in Geneva and Associate Director of the Americas Program at The Carter Center.

His ability spans strategic planning, international development, political risk analysis, and governance. Marcelo has been recognized with several honors, including being a Numbered Academician of the International Academy of Social Sciences and serving on advisory boards for various institutions. His commitment to democracy, human rights, and conflict transformation is clear in his extensive work and numerous publications on these topics.