Adam Isacson

Gregory Bull / AP photo at NBC News. Caption: “Construction crews work on prototypes for a proposed border wall in front of the primary border structure separating Tijuana, Mexico, behind, and San Diego, on Wednesday.”

(Even more here)

September 29, 2017

Brazil

• Bianca Lemos, “Ex-Lider Do Bope Sobre Exercito No Rio: ‘Essa Guerra Nao e Deles’” (Veja (Brazil), September 29, 2017).

Rodrigo Pimentel, autor de livro que inspirou ‘Tropa de Elite’, diz que soldados foram deslocados para a Rocinha sem condições de fazer algo diferente da PM

Colombia

• Natalia Arenas, “El Capitalismo de Romana” (La Silla Vacia (Colombia), September 29, 2017).

Aunque al principio se quejó de que el Gobierno nunca terminó las obras, desde mediados de marzo puso a la guerrillerada a trabajar para levantar una ciudadela que hoy es un éxito

• James Bargent, “Mass Displacements on the Rise as Colombia’s War Recedes” (InsightCrime, September 29, 2017).

The worst affected areas are all key drug trafficking territories and areas where the demobilization of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia – FARC) has created an underworld power vacuum

• Anastasia Moloney, “Gender Justice? Women Judges to Dominate Colombia War Tribunals” (Reuters **, September 29, 2017).

Having a more gender equal and ethnically diverse set of judges means they are more likely to recognize that Colombia’s war affected different groups in society in different ways

• Diana Durán Núñez, Santiago Martinez, ““Estan Equivocados los Que Creen Que Es un Tribunal de Venganza”: Presidenta del Tribunal de Paz” (El Espectador (Colombia), September 29, 2017).

Patricia Linares habla del enorme reto que ella y sus compañeros tienen: sentar, a través de este sistema de justicia transicional, bases para la convivencia

• “Justicia para la Paz, Empantanada en el Congreso” (El Espectador (Colombia), September 29, 2017).

¿Qué va a pasar ahora que el Ejecutivo cuenta con 25 votos menos del partido que, se suponía, era una de las piezas claves de la Unidad Nacional?

El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras

• Lauren Markham, “The Wrong Way to Fight Gangs” (The New York Times, September 29, 2017).

To focus on police intervention rather than education isn’t only shortsighted, it’s also been proven not to work

Mexico

• Gabriel Stargardter, “Cuts Hurt Mexico Quake Response, Outlook Ahead of 2018 Vote” (Reuters **, September 29, 2017).

The government has slashed disaster budgets by as much as 50 percent in recent years, part of a broader cost-cutting effort to make up for shortfalls caused by a drop in oil revenues

• “Pena se Gasto en Publicidad, en Apenas 4 Anos, Lo Mismo Que Nos Costara el Rescate por el Sismo” (SinEmbargo (Mexico), September 29, 2017).

El gasto en publicidad oficial del Gobierno federal de 2013 hasta el primer semestre de 2017 asciende a 37 mil 725 millones de pesos, cifra que equivale a lo destinado para la atención y prevención de desastres naturales en 2015 y 2016

Puerto Rico

• Andres Echevarria, “Is Puerto Rico in Danger of Losing Its “Enchantment?”” (Univision, September 29, 2017).

Considering a central driver of anger over Katrina was that the government reacted slowly because New Orleans population is predominantly black, it is hard not to wonder if history is repeating itself

Venezuela

• Ben Bartenstein, Daniela Guzman, “History Shows Even Sovereign Bond Default Won’t Unseat Maduro” (Bloomberg, September 29, 2017).

Defaults around the globe have triggered governmental change less than 15 percent of the time since 1992

Western Hemisphere Regional

• Nick Miroff, “Deportations Slow Under Trump Despite Increase in Arrests by Ice” (The Washington Post, September 29, 2017).

The agency arrested more than 28,000 “non-criminal immigration violators” between Jan. 22 and Sept. 2, according to the agency’s records, a nearly threefold increase over the same period in 2016

Mauro Pimentel/AFP photo at Veja (Brazil). Caption: “Membros da Polícia do Exército usam máscaras de caveira durante operação na Favela da Rocinha, no Rio de Janeiro”

(Even more here)

September 28, 2017

Brazil

• Anthony Boadle, “Far-Right Presidential Hopeful Aims to Be Brazil’s Trump” (Reuters **, September 28, 2017).

A poll by Datafolha in June put him second in voting intentions for the 2018 elections, at 16 percent, trailing only former president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, at 30 percent, who has been convicted of corruption

• “Militares No Rio Usam Mascara de Caveira para Proteger o Rosto” (Veja (Brazil), September 28, 2017).

De acordo com o Comando do Exército, o uso da balaclava nas cores preta e azul-ferrete está previsto nos regulamentos de uniformes das Forças Armadas

Colombia

• Tatiana Duque, “Vargas Le Dice No a la Jep” (La Silla Vacia (Colombia), September 28, 2017).

Cambio Radical explicó que no apoyará el proyecto de ley que reglamenta la JEP porque considera que “premia de manera significativa y desequilibrada” a los miembros de la exguerrilla Farc

• “Dissident Farc Leader Killed in Colombia” (BBC (UK), September 28, 2017).

The man, who used the alias Euclides Mora, was kicked out of the Farc last December with four other rebel leaders for not agreeing to the terms of the peace agreement

• “Patricia Linares, la Batuta de la Jep” (Semana (Colombia), September 28, 2017).

En el Centro de Memoria Histórica desarrolló investigaciones alrededor de la justicia transicional, DH, DIH, género y tierras

Colombia, Venezuela

• Katy Watson, “Venezuelans Cross Into Colombia as Crisis Deepens” (BBC (UK), September 28, 2017).

In the middle of the town is a roundabout with a large sculpture which reads “I love Cúcuta”. Some people are curled up sleeping in the letters “c”

Guatemala

• Sonia Perez D., “Guatemala: Fiscalia Pide Retirar Inmunidad a Presidente” (Associated Press **, September 28, 2017).

El organismo pidió a la Corte Suprema de Justicia que retire la inmunidad a Morales para investigarle por haber recibido un bono de 61.000 dólares de manos del Ejército, que tuvo que devolver porque el mismo se había entregado de forma anómala

Mexico

• Mike Lillis, “House Gop Poised to Move $10 Billion for Border Wall” (The Hill, September 28, 2017).

The House Homeland Security Committee will mark up the legislation — the Border Security for America Act — on Oct. 4

• Tal Kopan, “Committee to Weigh Border Bill Amid Daca Fight” (CNN, September 28, 2017).

Of the total investment, $10 billion would be for new border security and $5 billion would be for modernizing ports of entry

• Joshua Stewart, “Rep. Hunter Asks Trump to Pardon Border Patrol Agents Who Covered Up Their Shooting of Drug Smuggler” (The San Diego Union-Tribune, September 28, 2017).

The agents, Ignacio Ramos and Jose Compean, were convicted in 2006 of assault with a dangerous weapon, tampering with an official proceeding, and other crimes related to the shooting

• David Agren, “After Earthquake, Mexicans Vent Anger at Their Political Class” (Americas Quarterly, September 28, 2017).

The magnitude 7.1 quake that struck on Sept. 19 and claimed more than 300 lives came as the country was already seething over a string of corruption scandals

• “Iachr Expresses Solidarity With Ayotzinapa Families and Urges Mexico to Avoid Impunity” (Organization of American States, September 28, 2017).

The IACHR reiterates its concern about the slow pace in coming to conclusions, both in the search activities and in the effective clarification of the various lines of investigation indicated by the Interdisciplinary Group

• Fernando Camacho Servin, “La Jornada: Falso Que la Pgr Haya Atendido la Mayoria de Lineas de Investigacion: Padres de los 43” (La Jornada (Mexico), September 28, 2017).

En total silencio y a paso lento, los familiares de los jóvenes recorrieron Paseo de la Reforma, en compañía de miles de personas

• “15 Killed in Attack on Drug Rehabilitation Center in Mexico” (Associated Press, The New York Times, September 28, 2017).

Drug gangs have been known to use rehab centers to recruit addicts, and rival gangs sometimes assault the centers

• VerÓnica Espinosa, “Martes Rojo en Guanajuato: Ejecutan a Nueve Personas y el Cjng Anuncia “Limpia”” (Proceso (Mexico), September 28, 2017).

Cinco mantas con mensajes adjudicados al Cártel Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG) fueron colgadas en distintos puentes peatonales y viales, en los que se advierte de una presunta ‘limpia’

• “Pugna Entre Bandas Rivales Deja Cuatro Muertos en Guerrero” (Proceso (Mexico), September 28, 2017).

A pesar de la situación de violencia que mantiene a la sociedad aterrorizada, las autoridades de los tres niveles y el Ejército se han limitado a observar cómo se despedazan los tres grupos

Puerto Rico

• Arelis R. Hernandez, Dan Lamothe, Ed o’keefe, Joel Achenbach, “Trump Administration Rushes Military Assets to Puerto Rico Amid Growing Crisis” (The Washington Post, September 28, 2017).

The U.S. government response to Hurricane Maria so far has been inadequate and overmatched by the scale of the disaster

Miguel Dimayuga photo at Proceso (Mexico). Caption: “Integrantes de la CNTE, miembros de organizaciones sociales y familiares de los normalistas de Ayotzinapa desaparecidos en Iguala, Guerrero en septiembre de 2014 marcharon por Paseo de la Reforma del plantón que mantienen frente a la PGR al llamado antimonumento de los 43 en el cruce con avenida Bucarelli.”

(Even more here)

September 27, 2017

Colombia

• Marcela Ulloa Beltran, “Hasta 500 Presos Podrian Estar Colados en Listas de las Farc” (El Tiempo (Colombia), September 27, 2017).

Reveló que tiene la lupa sobre otros 500 nombres de supuestos guerrilleros presos que también fueron incluidos por esa organización para recibir beneficios jurídicos

• “Luz Marina Monzon Es la Directora de la Unidad de Busqueda de Personas Desaparecidas” (El Espectador (Colombia), September 27, 2017).

Entre 1997 y 2009 fue parte del equipo de abogados de la Comisión Colombiana de Juristas y tuvo a su cargo expedientes de la más alta importancia histórica para el país

• “Los Retos de los 38 Magistrados Que Juzgaran los Delitos Mas Atroces” (El Tiempo (Colombia), September 27, 2017).

El Comité de Escogencia de los magistrados quiso proteger la imparcialidad de la justicia para la paz con la elección de un grupo diverso de personas, pero esa diversidad es, a la vez, un desafío

• Juan Esteban Lewin, “La Jep Quedo Con Magistrados Menos Penalistas y Mas Plurales de Lo Usual” (La Silla Vacia (Colombia), September 27, 2017).

De todos, más de la mitad son mujeres (28 de los 51), algo inédito en una instancia de decisión tan importante en Colombia y casi una cuarta parte (8) son indígenas o afros

Cuba

• Anita Kumar, Franco Ordonez, “U.S. Does Not Believe Cuba Is Behind Sonic Attacks on American Diplomats” (McClatchy DC, September 27, 2017).

The Trump administration will soon begin a major withdrawal of staff from the U.S. embassy in Havana after seeing the number of Americans affected by this “sonic device” rise to 25 from 21

El Salvador

• Roberto Valencia, “El Juicio Bufo de San Blas” (El Faro (El Salvador), September 27, 2017).

El juez dio por probado que la Policía Nacional Civil ejecutó extrajudicialmente a Dennis, el escribiente de la finca San Blas, pero absolvió a los agentes del GRP procesados

Guatemala

• MartÍn RodrÍguez Pellecer, “Audios: El Ministro Conocia y Avalo la Idea del Pacto de Corruptos” (Nomada (Guatemala), September 27, 2017).

La idea de las reformas legales para quitar responsabilidad al presidente Jimmy Morales, sus familiares y otros acusados de corrupción por el MP y la CICIG se discutió en el Gobierno semanas antes de su aprobación en el Congreso

Mexico

• “Construction Begins on Wall Prototypes” (U.S. Customs and Border Protection, September 27, 2017).

Completion of the wall prototype construction is expected within approximately 30 days of the Notice to Proceed

• Duncan Tucker, “Parents of Mexico’s 43 Missing Students Take Matters Into Their Own Hands” (VICE, September 27, 2017).

Despite their efforts to pressure the government, the official investigation has gone cold in the last year

• “No Justice for Mexico’s 43 Missing Students on Third Anniversary of Their Disappearance” (Washington Office on Latin America, September 27, 2017).

If the Mexican government is dragging its feet in bringing justice to the Ayotzinapa students with the whole world watching, it is heartbreaking to think of how many more of the disappeared will face a similar fate

• “Caso Ayotzinapa: Un Sospechoso al Que Nadie Busca” (Proceso (Mexico), September 27, 2017).

En ese expediente hay un nombre que se repite con insistencia, el de Humberto Velázquez Delgado, comandante de la Policía Ministerial de Guerrero en 2014, a quien los padres de las víctimas señalan como elemento indispensable

• Mathieu Tourliere, “El Fracaso del Operativo Chilapa” (Proceso (Mexico), September 27, 2017).

Además de los más de 170 homicidios registrados en el municipio en lo que va del año, existen entre 100 y 150 desaparecidos en la zona, y las autoridades no muestran avances en ninguno de los casos

Puerto Rico

• Frances Robles, Lizette Alvarez, Luis Ferre-Sadurni, “‘This Is Like in War’: A Scramble to Care for Puerto Rico’s Sick and Injured” (The New York Times, September 27, 2017).

On the ground, Puerto Rico remains a patchwork of desperate fixes, with 3.4 million people improvising ways to get much-needed medicine, diesel for their generators, food for their shelves and water

Venezuela

• “Trump Urges Eu to Sanction Maduro Government in Venezuela” (Reuters **, September 27, 2017).

“We hope our friends in the EU will soon follow the United States, Canada and many Latin American nations in sanctioning the Maduro regime. We need everybody involved,” Trump said

• Cristina Silva, “Venezuela Prepares for War With U.S. With ‘Rifles, Missiles and Well-Oiled Tanks at the Ready’” (Newsweek, September 27, 2017).

Maduro referenced the sanctions during his speech at the military base. As he spoke, Russian military plans flew in the sky as part of the training exercise

Western Hemisphere Regional

• Anita Kumar, “This Is What the White House Wants in Exchange for Saving Dreamers From Deportation” (McClatchy DC, September 27, 2017).

The plan was designed by Stephen Miller, Trump’s senior policy adviser who is responsible for some of his most contentious policies

• Meredith Hoffman, “Trump Sent Judges to the Border. Many Had Nothing to Do.” (Politico, September 27, 2017).

One, she told POLITICO Magazine, “spent a day helping them stock the supply room because she had nothing else to do”

• Antonio MarÍa Delgado, “Los Latinoamericanos Pierden Fe en la Democracia” (El Nuevo Herald, September 27, 2017).

El respaldo a la democracia en los países de la región bajó a 57.8 por ciento en el último estudio frente al 66.4 por ciento que había arrojado en el informe del 2014

Mario Tama/Getty Images photo at The Intercept. Caption: “The Rocinha favela in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil is home to more than 100,000 people.”

(Even more here)

September 26, 2017

Brazil

• Misha Glenny, “One of Rio de Janeiro’s Safest Favelas Descends Into Violence, the Latest Sign of a City in Chaos” (The Intercept, September 26, 2017).

The favela sits nestled between three of the wealthiest residential areas of the city, so when the shooting starts in Rocinha, the national and international media sit up and pay attention

Colombia

• “Activan Extradicion de 21 Narcos Que Estaban en Listas de las Farc” (El Tiempo (Colombia), September 26, 2017).

A las puertas de cárceles en Estados Unidos quedan desde ya 21 de las 14.178 personas incluidas en las listas de las Farc para recibir los beneficios de los acuerdos de paz

• “El Portazo del Gobierno a 251 Colados en las Listas de las Farc” (Semana (Colombia), September 26, 2017).

En su mayoría, como lo reveló SEMANA, se trata de miembros de bandas como la Constru, de Putumayo, que aunque es considerada una organización criminal común, tenía alianzas y negocios con las Farc

• Atticus Ballesteros, “Everything You Need to Know About Colombia’s Transitional Justice System” (Colombia Reports, September 26, 2017).

The Colombian Congress still has to pass a law that will give a green light to the JEP, truth commission, and search unit, and they only have 45 more days to do it through the legislative “Fast Track” route

El Salvador

• Nicholas Phillips, “The Allegory of el Salvador’s ‘Dany Boy’: ms13 Gang Leader, Activist, or Both?” (InsightCrime, September 26, 2017).

Hours earlier, the US Treasury Department had labeled him a leader of the MS13 street gang. Without presenting proof, US officials accused him of various misdeeds and criminalized all financial dealings with him

Mexico

• Calvin Woodward, Elliot Spagat, “Ap Fact Check: How’s Trump’s Border Wall Coming Along?” (Associated Press, The Minneapolis Star-Tribune, September 26, 2017).

To date, not much is coming along besides the samples, repairs and some upgrading of what’s already in place

• Paul Imison, “How Nafta Explains the Two Mexicos” (The Atlantic, September 26, 2017).

The re-negotiation of the landmark trade deal will shape the country’s future

• Ezequiel Flores Contreras, “Bloquean via en Guerrero para Exigir el Servicio de Transporte Publico Suspendido “por Ordenes del Crimen”” (Proceso (Mexico), September 26, 2017).

Con esa acción los profesores demandaron al gobernador Héctor Astudillo Flores que deje de asumir una actitud omisa ante la situación de inseguridad y violencia que se vive en las regiones Centro y Montaña

Venezuela

• Benjamin N. Gedan, “For Venezuela’s Sake, Dismantle the Organization of American States” (The Wall Street Journal, September 26, 2017).

There is still a way to salvage a regional response to the Venezuela nightmare: disband the OAS and replace it with a body no longer dominated by small Caribbean countries

• Jim Wyss, “Trump Targets Venezuela’s Government in New Travel Ban” (The Miami Herald, September 26, 2017).

Among those affected are members of Venezuela’s interior ministry, justice department, foreign ministry, the CIPIC criminal investigation unit and the SEBIN Bolivarian National Intelligence Service

Western Hemisphere Regional

• Josh Rogin, “New Trump Rules Could Put American Guns in the Hands of Dictators, Terrorists and Gangs” (The Washington Post, September 26, 2017).

The administration is set to issue regulations that would significantly reduce oversight and transparency on small-arms exports to governments and private businesses in about three dozen countries

Victor J. Blue photo at The New York Times. Caption: “Plantain trees flattened by Hurricane Maria in Yabucoa, P.R. In a matter of hours, the storm destroyed about 80 percent of the crop value in Puerto Rico, the territory’s agriculture secretary said.”

(Even more here)

September 25, 2017

Brazil

• Dom Phillips, Julio Carvalho, “Brazil’s Army Returns to Rio Favela Amid Clashes Between Gangs and Police” (The Guardian (Uk), September 25, 2017).

After almost a week of intense gun battles between rival drug gangsters and the police, Brazil’s army has been deployed to encircle the sprawling Rocinha favela

• Julia Michaels, “Shooting Citywide, Armed Forces in Rocinha: What’s Going On?” (Rio Real (Brazil), September 25, 2017).

The working hypothesis is that our police forces are patchworks of discordant, badly sewn pieces. Specialists and former police functionaries say that many of these pieces are fiefdoms belonging to different officers, fertile areas for corruption

Colombia

• “Primer Ano de la Implementacion del Acuerdo de Paz” (El Espectador (Colombia), September 25, 2017).

Las Farc sienten que el Estado no se preparó para la implementación y que su plan llegaba, apenas, hasta la dejación de armas

• Jineth Prieto, Juanita Velez, Laura Ardila Arrieta, Natalia Arenas, “El Duro Aterrizaje de las Farc a la Realidad” (La Silla Vacia (Colombia), September 25, 2017).

La Silla Vacía viajó la semana pasada a cuatro zonas y vio que, en efecto, el sueño que tenían los jefes de las Farc de hacer una reincorporación colectiva se está desmoronando

• Edulfo Pena, “‘Farc No Han Cumplido en Tema de Drogas’: Embajador de Estados Unidos” (El Tiempo (Colombia), September 25, 2017).

Kevin Whitaker dijo que ese grupo permanecerá en la lista de su país de organizaciones terroristas

• “Gobierno Instala la Primera ‘Carpa Azul’ en Icononzo, Tolima” (El Tiempo (Colombia), September 25, 2017).

Fortalecerá la seguridad de los ciudadanos en los 26 puntos donde funcionaron las zonas veredales

• Cecilia Orozco Tascón, ““Tenemos Dificultades de Tiempo en la Agenda de la Jep”: Ministro del Interior” (El Espectador (Colombia), September 25, 2017).

“En teoría, nos queda el resto de año para aprobarlo, pero, en la práctica, tenemos que sacarlo adelante en las próximas semanas”

• Olga Rendon Marulanda, “Derecha e Izquierda, Incomodas Con Jep” (El Colombiano (Medellin Colombia), September 25, 2017).

Lo curioso es que desde el nuevo partido político de esa guerrilla desmovilizada, Frente Alternativo Revolucionario del Común -Farc-, se señaló a varios de los preseleccionados como de derecha

• Lorena Arboleda, “Las Frustraciones Con la Implementacion Son Inevitables: Bernard Aronson” (El Espectador (Colombia), September 25, 2017).

Donald Trump es un presidente no muy diplomático que habla bruscamente, pero no sólo con Colombia

• Jose Luis Bernal, Juan Carlos Garzón, “Cocaine Consumption on the Rise? Think Again” (InsightCrime, September 25, 2017).

Colombia’s coca cultivation boom is not only being blamed for increased cocaine consumption in the United States, it is also being held responsible for an alleged growth in local demand in Colombia. But the evidence doesn’t stack up

Colombia, Mexico, Western Hemisphere Regional

• Tristan Clavel, “Comments by Outgoing Us Diplomat Highlight Discord on Anti-Drug Policy” (InsightCrime, September 25, 2017).

Brownfield’s statements suggest that confusion and lack of consensus remain within top US government circles concerning the direction of US anti-narcotic policies in Latin America

Mexico

• Azam Ahmed, Henry Fountain, Marina Franco, “Luck, Not Tougher Building Standards, Spared Mexico in Quake” (The New York Times, September 25, 2017).

Building inspections have essentially been outsourced to a network of private engineers who are hired and paid for by the developers, creating conflicts of interest

• Sabina Berman, “El Otro Sismo Que Viene…” (El Universal (Mexico), September 25, 2017).

En Filipinas la población cantando el Himno Nacional al pie de los edificios y las casas tumbó una dictadura. Acá tumbaremos esta Pirámide inservible y corrupta

Peru

• “U.S.-Peru Workshop on Countering Hizballah’s Terrorist and Criminal Activities” (U.S. Department of State, September 25, 2017).

Both countries agreed to continue working together to take measures to counter Hizballah’s destabilizing activities

Puerto Rico

• Frances Robles, Luis Ferre-Sadurni, “Puerto Ricoa??S Agriculture and Farmers Decimated by Maria” (The New York Times, September 25, 2017).

In a matter of hours, the storm destroyed about 80 percent of the crop value in Puerto Rico

• Joel Achenbach, Samantha Schmidt, “Hot, Isolated, and Running Out of Supplies, Parts of Puerto Rico Near Desperation” (The Washington Post, September 25, 2017).

The first thing some villagers ask when they see outsiders: “Are you FEMA?”

Venezuela

• Lucinda Shen, “Why Venezuela Is on Trump’s New Travel Ban” (Fortune, September 25, 2017).

Trump’s ban bars the entrance of certain government officials and their immediate families, but not the country’s citizens at large

Carl Juste photo at The Miami Herald. Caption: “A resident of the Old San Juan section called La Perla wheels hurricane debris as the island U.S. territory recovers from the Category 4 Hurricane Maria.”

(Even more here)

September 22, 2017

Argentina, Chile

• Eduardo Szklarz, “Argentina and Chile Hold Inalaf 2017 Annual Combined Exercise” (Revista Dialogo (U.S. Southern Command), September 22, 2017).

The incursion consisted of a coordinated landing of marine troops by land and by helicopter.

Brazil

• “Rio Pede Patrulhamento de Militares Em 103 Locais” (Veja (Brazil), September 22, 2017).

Pedido aconteceu horas depois do governador do estado dispensar auxílio das forças armadas para conter violência na Rocinha; crise entre forças cresce

Colombia

• Jineth Prieto, “El Aliento de Trump Llega al Catatumbo” (La Silla Vacia (Colombia), September 22, 2017).

Aunque el acuerdo se hizo con la Dirección para la Atención Integral contra las Drogas, que depende de Presidencia, no es tan claro cómo se va a articular con la directriz de erradicar las 25 mil hectáreas de coca del Catatumbo

• Juanita Velez, “Sin Estado, la Gente se Organiza Donde Ya No Hay Farc” (La Silla Vacia (Colombia), September 22, 2017).

Caquetá, Huila y Meta se está organizando para crear sus propias reglas ambientales y hasta de seguridad

• “El Historial de Siete Generales Que las Victimas Le Presentaron a la Cpi” (Contagio Radio (Colombia), September 22, 2017).

Si bien cerca de 800 soldados o suboficiales han sido condenados, apenas unos pocos coroneles y generales han rendido cuentas ante la justicia por estos casos, en cambio las investigaciones no avanzan o son demasiado lentas

• “En Confusos Hechos Con el Ejercito, Murio Lider Campesino del Cauca” (El Espectador (Colombia), September 22, 2017).

De acuerdo con las denuncias, los hechos se presentaron en la vereda Media Naranja cuando el ejército disparó al conglomerado de campesinos de la zona

Cuba, Venezuela

• Jorge G. Castaneda, “Trump and Castro Can Save Venezuela” (The New York Times, September 22, 2017).

The opposition and the United States must be persuaded to grant Mr. Maduro and his closest cronies safe haven in Havana

Ecuador

• “La Entrada Triunfal de los Indignados a la Plaza Grande” (Plan V (Ecuador), September 22, 2017).

Organizaciones y centenares de ciudadanos acuedieron a la convocatoria para exigir que, en la consulta popular anunciada por el presidente Lenín Moreno, se incluya como tema principal la lucha contra la corrupción

El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras

• Franco Ordonez, “Trump Team Drafting Plan to Deport More Young People — Central American Teens” (McClatchy DC, September 22, 2017).

A large percentage of those kids, between 63 percent and 73 percent depending on the year, were between 15 and 17 when they made the long journey

Guatemala

• MartÍn RodrÍguez Pellecer, “Guatemala Sera una Republica Mafiosa o una Democracia” (The New York Times, September 22, 2017).

El país vive una batalla entre las mafias de militares, políticos, muchos medios y algunos grandes empresarios y quienes, desde las instituciones, la sociedad civil, universidades, el sector privado y varios medios luchan contra la corrupción y la impunidad

• Luis Barrueto, “Guatemalans Ousted Their President in 2015. Now They’re After His Replacement.” (Americas Quarterly, September 22, 2017).

Some 200,000 Guatemalans took part in a general strike calling for the resignation of over one hundred Congressmen they say are trying to shield President Jimmy Morales from his own corruption investigation

• Javier Estrada Tobar, “Que Esta Logrando el Paro Nacional 20s” (Nomada (Guatemala), September 22, 2017).

El Paro Nacional, convocado principamente por Justicia Ya y la Asociación de Estudiantes Universitarios (AEU) de la Usac, fue un éxito

Mexico

• Marcela Turati, “El Forcejeo Entre “Civiles” y Militares” (Proceso (Mexico), September 22, 2017).

Lo cierto es que el primer día los ciudadanos tomaron el control de la situación. Poco a poco, soldados y marinos han ido imponiéndose, haciendo retroceder a los civiles

• “The Latest: Death Toll in Mexican Quake Rises to 273” (Associated Press **, September 22, 2017).

Mexico’s office of the presidency says the death toll from a magnitude 7.1 earthquake has risen to 273, including 137 in the capital

Puerto Rico

• Elivan Martinez, Patricia Mazzei, “As Flooding Continues Across Puerto Rico, San Juan Begins to Pick Up After Hurricane Maria” (The Miami Herald, September 22, 2017).

he capital’s storm-dazed residents ventured outside Thursday, clogging roadways while trying to bring some semblance of order to their bruised city

Venezuela

• Ben Bartenstein, “Wall Street Exhales After Venezuela Makes Another Bond Payment” (Bloomberg, September 22, 2017).

The nation, one of the world’s riskiest debtors, said yesterday it was having difficulty wiring a $185 million interest payment that was due Sept. 15. Officials confirmed Thursday that the money was on its way to bondholders

Pedro Pardo/Agence France-Presse/Getty Images photo at The Wall Street Journal. Caption: “Topos search for survivors in Juchitán de Zaragoza, Mexico, on Sept. 9, after a powerful earthquake struck Mexico’s Pacific coast two days earlier.”

(Even more here)

September 21, 2017

Brazil

• “‘Ditadura Nunca e Melhor’, Diz Comandante Do Exercito” (Veja (Brazil), September 21, 2017).

Apesar de negar que general que aventou intervenção militar será punido, Eduardo Villas Bôas afirmou que instituição se pauta pela estabilidade e legalidade

• “Juiz Da Lava Jato Condena Sergio Cabral a 45 Anos de Prisao” (Veja (Brazil), September 21, 2017).

Na maior condenação da operação, ex-governador é considerado culpado de cobrar propina em obras como a do Maracanã

Colombia

• Ariel Ávila, “El Debate Sobre Narcotrafico y Cultivos Hoja de Coca” (Semana (Colombia), September 21, 2017).

Con la revaluación del dólar, el precio de la hoja de coca se incrementó casi un 40%, igual sucedió con la base de la pasta

Cuba

• Mimi Whitefield, “U.S.-Cuba Commission Meets for First Time During Trump Administration” (The Miami Herald, September 21, 2017).

The Cuban delegation — led by Josefina Vidal, Cuba’s chief negotiator during the opening toward Cuba under former President Barack Obama — noted the commission was meeting against the backdrop of a “reversal” in Cuba-U.S. relations

Ecuador

• “Los Blancos de la Inteligencia” (Plan V (Ecuador), September 21, 2017).

Todas las actividades de Yasunidos fueron objeto de un minucioso seguimiento de inteligencia por organismos del Estado

Guatemala

• Alberto Pradilla, “#paro20s: La Plaza Vuelve a Llenarse, Esta Vez en Dos Tiempos” (Plaza Publica (Guatemala), September 21, 2017).

El paro nacional y sus actores muestran un magma, un descontento creciente, con planteamientos que se tocan pero que siguen sin articular una alternativa coherente y cohesionada

Mexico

• Jazmine Ulloa, Patrick Mcgreevy, “California to Sue Trump Administration Over Plan for U.S.-Mexico Border Wall” (The Los Angeles Times, September 21, 2017).

The state’s lawsuit alleges that the Trump administration has failed to comply with federal and state environmental laws and relied on federal statutes that don’t authorize the proposed projects

• Steve Lopez, “Trump’s Wall Is Big, Beautiful and Dumb a?? Here’s a Better Way to Control the Border” (The Los Angeles Times, September 21, 2017).

I want to lay out a few things Trump might consider if his real goal were to reduce the number of people entering the country illegally, rather than tell his cheerleaders what they want to hear

• Ryan Autullo, Taylor Goldenstein, “Immigrant Taken by Ice From Austin Courthouse Was Killed in Mexico” (The Austin American-Statesman, September 21, 2017).

Juan Coronilla-Guerrero’s wife warned a federal judge this spring that her husband would be killed if the U.S. government followed through with his deportation

• Robbie Whelan, Santiago Perez, “Mexico’s ‘Moles’ Dig Out Earthquake Victims” (The Wall Street Journal, September 21, 2017).

The Topos are a Mexican innovation, a volunteer force of usually small men and women who climb through shaky, extremely damaged buildings to pull survivors from the debris

• Jon Lee Anderson, “Terror, Chaos, and Solidarity as Another Earthquake Shakes Mexico City” (The New Yorker, September 21, 2017).

“These human chains are one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever experienced, and also one of the hardest to bear. Sadly, the bodies keep coming out”

• Aodhan Beirne, Christina Caron, “Where to Donate to Mexico Earthquake Victims” (The New York Times, September 21, 2017).

Here is a list of local and international organizations that are providing aid

• Carlos Puig, “Living in Mexico City Is a Perpetual Dare” (The New York Times, September 21, 2017).

Because we all know of people who have died going into damaged buildings, hoping to rescue someone, many volunteers write their name and a phone number on their arms

• Leon Krauze, “Mexico Needs Help Now. Can President Trump Overcome His Grudges and Provide It?” (The Washington Post, September 21, 2017).

Nativist prejudice should find its limits in sudden human suffering. The alternative would be cruel and, yes, un-American

Puerto Rico

• Danica Coto, “Maria Destroys Homes, Triggers Flooding in Puerto Rico” (Associated Press **, September 21, 2017).

It punished the island of 3.4 million people with life-threatening winds for several hours, the second time in two weeks that Puerto Rico has felt the wrath of a hurricane

Ronaldo Schemidt/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images photo at The New York Times. Caption: “A building that collapsed after a quake rattled Mexico City on Tuesday.”

(Even more here)

September 20, 2017

Brazil

• Chayenne Polimedio, “Brazilians Are Losing Faith in Democracy and Considering a Return to Military Rule” (Vox, September 20, 2017).

Bolsonaro is an avid advocate to a return of generals to the highest public office. After more than two decades advocating for a return to military rule, his rhetoric is finally catching up to public opinion

Colombia

• Sergio Gomez Maseri, “Ee. Uu. Baja Tono Frente a Colombia y su Lucha Contra las Drogas” (El Tiempo (Colombia), September 20, 2017).

Brownfield, que tan solo la semana pasada había cuestionado la estrategia que ha desarrollado el gobierno para enfrentar el problema, se refirió a esta como un “buen plan” que se ha venido implementando en estos últimos siete meses

Guatemala

• Julie Lopez, “Renuncia el Ministro de Gobernacion, Aliado Clave del Mp y la Cicig en el Gobierno” (Plaza Publica (Guatemala), September 20, 2017).

El anuncio de su renuncia llega un día antes del paro nacional convocado para el 20 de septiembre en contra del Gobierno y el Congreso

Haiti, Mexico

• Elliot Spagat, “Stopped at Us Border, Haitians Find ‘Mexican Dream’ Instead” (Associated Press **, September 20, 2017).

The Mexican government has welcomed them with visas that help them fill the need for labor in Tijuana’s growing economy

Mexico

• “The Wall – an in-Depth Examination of Donald Trump’s Border Wall” (USA Today, September 20, 2017).

In this report, you can watch aerial video of every foot of the border, explore every piece of fence, even stand at the border in virtual reality

• Christopher Sherman, Mark Stevenson, Peter Orsi, “226 Killed as 7.1 Magnitude Quake Fells Buildings in Mexico” (Associated Press **, September 20, 2017).

Mayor Miguel Angel Mancera said buildings fell at 44 places in the capital alone as high-rises across the city swayed sickeningly

• Elisabeth Malkin, Kirk Semple, Paulina Villegas, “Mexico Earthquake Kills Hundreds, Trapping Many Under Rubble” (The New York Times, September 20, 2017).

The director of Mexico’s civil protection agency, Luis Felipe Puente, said on Twitter that 216 people had been killed, revising an earlier toll of 248

Venezuela

• Zeeshan Aleem, “How Venezuela Went From a Rich Democracy to a Dictatorship on the Brink of Collapse” (Vox, September 20, 2017).

For the US, Maduro’s increasing authoritarianism and refusal to reform his economy represents a major geopolitical and humanitarian challenge

• Alexandra Olson, “Trump Slams Venezuela at Un; Maduro Calls Him ‘Hitler’” (Associated Press, The Washington Post, September 20, 2017).

He did not repeat an earlier threat to consider military options to pressure Venezuela, a day after dining with the leaders of four Latin American countries who made clear they would not support such action

Western Hemisphere Regional

• Matt Spetalnick, Mike Stone, “Trump Administration Prepares to Ease Export Rules for U.S. Guns” (Reuters **, September 20, 2017).

The shift to Commerce could increase sales by 15-20 percent annuallyÓ

Fabio Guimarães photo at O Globo (Brazil).

(Even more here)

September 19, 2017

Brazil

• Giselle Ouchana, “Estacionamento Da Upp Da Rocinha Vira ‘Cemiterio’ de Motos e Carros Da Pm” (O Globo (Brazil), September 19, 2017).

PMs, que não conseguiram impedir a invasão à Rocinha no domingo — sequer agiram diante de motoristas assaltados na frente deles pelo bando que tentava tomar o morro —, estão em condições precárias e inseguras na Unidade de Polícia Pacificadora da favela

Colombia

• Angelica Duran Martinez, “La Descertificacion y Otros Demonios” (Razon Publica (Colombia), September 19, 2017).

Los gráficos siguientes ilustran la dificultad de asociar la suspensión de la erradicación forzada con el incremento de cultivos

• Matt Clausen, “Photo Essay Shows Colombia’s Peace Process at a Critical Moment” (Washington Office on Latin America, September 19, 2017).

Below is a photo essay of Clausen’s visit to a region that embodies the complexities of the conflict in Colombia, but also one that maintains hope for peace

Colombia, Venezuela

• Olga Patricia Rendon Marulanda, “Venezuela y Cultivos Ilicitos, Temas Centrales en Reunion Santos-Trump” (El Colombiano (Medellin Colombia), September 19, 2017).

Santos indicó que conversó con el general John Kelly, quien es “totalmente consciente de los esfuerzos que estamos haciendo y entiende que nuestra estrategia es la correcta”

Guatemala

• “Guatemala Pone Ejemplo: Cierran Hoteles, Restaurantes, Tiendas y Barberias a Politicos Corruptos” (SinEmbargo (Mexico), September 19, 2017).

Uno de los diarios publicó las 107 fotos de los legisladores que aprobaron una ley contra la sociedad civil, para que la gente pudiera reconocerlos

• MartÍn RodrÍguez Pellecer, “¿Que Fallo en 2015 para Que Estemos Asi en 2017? Los 5 Pilares” (Nomada (Guatemala), September 19, 2017).

Para romper con este sistema se necesitará muchos meses más de CICIG y muchos días de protestas y paros nacionales

Honduras

• Carlos Dada, “Una Finca de Animales” (El Faro (El Salvador), September 19, 2017).

Los Cachiros nunca aparecieron en las listas de Forbes, pero se estima que, en su apogeo, el patrimonio del cartel ascendía a mil millones de dólares. Con ese volumen, habrían ocupado el séptimo lugar en la lista de la revista de los grupos empresariales más ricos de Centroamérica

Mexico

• Nick Miroff, “Border Security Is Tougher Than Ever, Dhs Report Finds” (The Washington Post, September 19, 2017).

The number of U.S. agents assigned to the Mexico border has nearly doubled since 2004, and Trump has called for 5,000 additional officers. But falling numbers of would-be migrants mean there have been fewer suspects for them to arrest

• David Agren, “Outrage as Mexican Student Killed After Using Ride-Hailing Service” (The Guardian (Uk), September 19, 2017).

Civil society groups have pushed the Puebla state government to issue a “gender alert” – an emergency mechanism introduced into law in 2007 following a surge of gruesome hate crimes against women in the northern border city of Ciudad Juárez. The request was rejected on 7 July

• Alejandro Hope, “¿por Que Fue Asesinada Mara Castilla?” (El Universal (Mexico), September 19, 2017).

Mara fue asesinada porque fallamos como sociedad, por nuestra indolencia, por no exigir que de una vez por todas cambien las cosas

• Arturo Rodriguez, Pedro MatÍas, “El Sismo Revela el Desgobierno en el Istmo de Tehuantepec” (Proceso (Mexico), September 19, 2017).

Sus habitantes recuperaron los cuerpos de sus fallecidos y se hicieron cargo de los heridos como pudieron, ya que las brigadas estatales y efectivos de las Fuerzas Armadas llegaron a brindar ayuda después de una semana

Venezuela

• Anthony Boadle, Steve Holland, “Trump Says Democracy Must Be Restored in Venezuela Soon” (Reuters **, September 19, 2017).

Sanctions were not discussed at the dinner, the Brazilian leader said. “We are talking about verbal sanctions, with democratic words, diplomatic words,” Temer said

• “Venezuela Opposition Blames Maduro for Detained Activist’s Death” (Reuters **, September 19, 2017).

Carlos Garcia, a local legislator in western Apure state, suffered a stroke in August after being arrested in late 2016 during protests and having money planted on him, his party said

Graphic from Sin Embargo (Mexico).

(Even more here)

September 18, 2017

Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Panama, Peru, Venezuela

• Sergio Gomez Maseri, “Venezuela, Eje de la Cena de Santos y Lideres de la Region Con Trump” (El Tiempo (Colombia), September 18, 2017).

A la reunión de esta noche están invitados, además de Santos, el presidente de Brasil, Michel Temer; el de Perú, Pedro Pablo Kuczynski; el de Panamá, Juan Carlos Varela, y la vicepresidenta de Argentina, Gabriela Michetti

Brazil

• “Especialistas Apontam Falhas Em Acao Policial Na Rocinha” (O Globo (Brazil), September 18, 2017).

O que a gente observa à distância é que as Forças Armadas ainda não conseguiram conciliar suas estratégias com as da Polícia Civil e Militar

Colombia

• Cecilia Orozco Tascón, ““Me Incomodo el Tonito”: Rafael Pardo Rueda” (El Espectador (Colombia), September 18, 2017).

El ministro para el Posconflicto comenta el duro memorando del presidente Trump conocido esta semana

• “No Hubo Luna de Miel para el Partido de las Farc” (Semana (Colombia), September 18, 2017).

La experiencia internacional es elocuente en materia de posconflicto: la paz no es un camino de rosas, sino de espinas. Y solo una férrea voluntad política puede sacarla adelante

• Adam Isacson, “No se Va a Descertificar a Colombia” (El Espectador (Colombia), September 18, 2017).

¿Por qué señalar específicamente a Colombia? La respuesta debe tener que ver con alguien que le habla al oído a Donald Trump y que está insistiendo mucho en el tema

• Norbey Quevedo Hernandez, “La Lista Roja de Defensores de Derechos Humanos” (El Espectador (Colombia), September 18, 2017).

La vicefiscal María Paulina Riveros y el delegado para la Seguridad Ciudadana de la Fiscalía, Luis González, señalaron a El Espectador que se ha aclarado cerca del 80 % de los asesinatos de defensores derechos humanos

Guatemala

• Carlos Dada, “Los Gritos de Independencia en Guatemala” (El Faro (El Salvador), September 18, 2017).

Ciento treinta parlamentarios se quedaron encerrados durante nueve horas en el Congreso debido a las protestas, y denunciaron estar secuestrados. Los manifestantes, en su mayoría, eran familias en un pacífico plantón

Mexico

• Linaloe R. Flores, “El General Gallardo Dice Que los 43 Podrian Estar en Melendez, un Pozo Usado en la Guerra Sucia” (SinEmbargo (Mexico), September 18, 2017).

El General se guarda una hipótesis de la desaparición de los 43. Una que no ha sido parte de ninguna investigación

• Kirk Semple, “Where Tourism Thrives in Mexico, Bloodshed and Poverty Are Blocks Away” (The New York Times, September 18, 2017).

The sharp rise in killings prompted the United States State Department last month to heighten its travel warnings for Quintana Roo and the state of Baja California Sur, home to Los Cabos

• Dulce Olvera, “Los Ataques Contra Defensores de Ddhh en Mexico Es “Practica Generalizada”, Dice la Red Tdt” (SinEmbargo (Mexico), September 18, 2017).

El informe de la Red TDT “La esperanza no se agota” revela que fuerzas de seguridad (estatales, municipales y federales) han cometido detenciones arbitrarias, agresiones físicas, intimidaciones, amenazas u hostigamientos

• “Otra Matanza, Ahora en Guerrero: Al Menos 9 Muertos en Combate Entre Civiles y Militares” (EFE, SinEmbargo (Mexico), September 18, 2017).

De acuerdo con la información oficial, los civiles armados portaban uniformes y vehículos falsos de la Secretaría de la Defensa Nacional

Carolina Gamazo photo at Factum (El Salvador). Caption: “La marcha empezó el jueves 14 de septiembre a las 5 de la tarde en el Congreso de los Diputados, donde en la mañana estos se retractaron de las modificaciones la Código Penal, aprobadas el día anterior.”

(Even more here)

September 15, 2017

Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, Peru, Venezuela

• Anthony Boadle, “Trump to Meet Latin American Leaders With Eye on Venezuela” (Reuters **, September 15, 2017).

The dinner will take place on the eve of the opening of the U.N. General Assembly in New York. Mexico’s President Enrique Pena Nieto, who will leave office after elections next year, has decided not to attend

Colombia

• “‘Con Menos Recursos Incautamos Mas Droga Que Ee. Uu.’” (El Tiempo (Colombia), September 15, 2017).

Les sugiere a las autoridades de ese país que “cuiden mejor” la frontera con México y no se concentren “solo en los inmigrantes”, sino en el paso de cocaína

• “Amenaza de Trump de Descertificar a Colombia Es ‘un Irrespeto’” (El Tiempo (Colombia), September 15, 2017).

Adam Isacson, experto de WOLA, calificó la declaración como ‘una bofetada a un país aliado’

Cuba

• Josh Lederman, Matthew Lee , Michael Weissenstein, “Cuba Mystery Grows: New Details on What Befell Us Diplomats” (Associated Press **, September 15, 2017).

At least some of the incidents were confined to specific rooms or even parts of rooms with laser-like specificity, baffling U.S. officials who say the facts and the physics don’t add up

El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras

• Marcelo Rochabrun, “The Trump Administration Plans to End a Refugee Program for Children” (ProPublica, September 15, 2017).

The decision to end the Central American Minors program, which began in 2014 and is the only refugee program aimed at helping people from that region, could put hundreds of families split between two countries in a delicate situation

Guatemala

• Steven Dudley, “#Blackwednesday: Guatemala Takes Another Step to Institutionalize Corruption” (InsightCrime, September 15, 2017).

In effect, congress and the president have institutionalized corruption in the political process. The CICIG had declared this type of systematized graft as its top target, but it is now virtually helpless to stop it

• Irene de Leon, Manuel Hernandez Mayen, “Cc Suspende Reformas de los Diputados a Favor de la Corrupcion” (Prensa Libre (Guatemala), September 15, 2017).

La resolució de la CC fue unánime y su argumento es que las reformas aprobadas por los diputados “constituyen una seria amenaza que en caso de cobrar vigencia podrían ocasionar daños irreparables al sistema de justicia”

• Carolina Gamazo, “El Dia Que el Ejercito de Guatemala No Pudo Izar la Bandera” (Revista Factum (El Salvador), September 15, 2017).

El pueblo de Guatemala volvió a salir a las calles. Esta vez de forma masiva. Las reformas aprobadas por el Congreso, que protegían a Jimmy Morales, y que garantizaban la impunidad de cientos de delitos, fueron la chispa

Mexico

• Mike Memoli, “Despite Trump Promises, Still No Plans for a Mexico Border Wall” (NBC News, September 15, 2017).

Construction firms have stayed away amid the prospect of political retaliation. And new NBC News polling suggests only lukewarm support for a wall the president today said would happen

• Glenn Thrush, Maggie Haberman, “Why Did Trump Work Again With Democrats? ‘He Likes Us,’ Schumer Says” (The New York Times, September 15, 2017).

[Kelly] likened Mexico, one of the United States’ most important trading and law enforcement partners, to Venezuela under the regime of Hugo Chávez, the former leader, suggesting it was on the verge of a collapse that would have repercussions in the United States

• Greg Moran, “Preparations Beginning for Border Wall Prototypes” (The San Diego Union-Tribune, September 15, 2017).

It’s a spot on the border where a secondary fence made of steel mesh stops, though the primary fence close to the border made of surplus military landing mats continues running east

• Helene Cooper, “Mattis Heads to Mexico Amid Strain Over Disaster Condolences and Aid” (The New York Times, September 15, 2017).

Defense Secretary Jim Mattis will resume his role as the reassurer for American allies this week when he heads to Mexico, where he will try to mend relations

• Amanda Holpuch, David Agren, “Trump Blames Delayed Message to Mexican Quake Victims on Bad Phone Reception” (The Guardian (Uk), September 15, 2017).

It is customary for the US to send messages of condolences to countries hit by natural disasters, and the White House’s silence did not go unnoticed – especially because Mexico had just offered the US aid

Venezuela

• Emma Graham-Harrison, “Downward Spiral: How Venezuela’s Symbol of Progress Became Political Prisoners’ Hell” (The Guardian (Uk), September 15, 2017).

The dizzying spiral structure in central Caracas was conceived in the 1950s as a monument to a nation’s confidence – but now its crumbling shell houses a notorious political prison. Is El Helicoide a metaphor for modern Venezuela?

Western Hemisphere Regional

• Brian Epstein, John Carlos Frey, “Complaints: Border Officers Engaged in Pattern of ‘Egregious’ Abuse Against Minors” (ABC News, September 15, 2017).

As the number of unaccompanied minors arriving from Mexico and Central America has increased, minors have lodged hundreds of formal complaints containing detailed claims of mistreatment by border agents