Adam Isacson

(Even more here)

June 28, 2019

Western Hemisphere Regional

• “Two Soldiers Died by Suicide Along the Mexico Border, Me Says” (Associated Press, Military Times, June 28, 2019).

A medical examiner says two soldiers helping secure the Mexico border in Arizona died by suicide

• Julie Hirschfeld Davis, Emily Cochrane, “House Passes Senate Border Bill in Striking Defeat for Pelosi” (The New York Times, June 28, 2019).

Speaker Nancy Pelosi capitulated to Republicans and Democratic moderates and dropped her insistence on stronger protections for migrant children in overcrowded border shelters

• Riane Roldan, “June Has Been a Deadly Month for Migrants Crossing the Border Into Texas” (The Texas Tribune, June 28, 2019).

As migrants continue arriving at the Texas-Mexico border, drownings have spiked in recent weeks, with nine people drowning in El Paso-area canals this month alone. Border Patrol and soldiers have rescued others

Brazil

• Terrence Mccoy, “Cocaine, Leaks and Opposition: Brazil’s Bolsonaro Challenged by Scandal, Defeats” (The Washington Post, June 28, 2019).

Another week in Brazil, another scandal consuming the young presidency of Jair Bolsonaro

Colombia

• “Gobierno de Colombia Dara Mas Proteccion a Exguerrilleros de las Farc Tras Asesinatos” (Associated Press, El Universo (Ecuador), June 28, 2019).

Duque señaló a la prensa desde Medellín que “a los criminales que están detrás de asesinatos de líderes sociales, excombatientes de las FARC y cualquier colombiano, los vamos a enfrentar”

• Tatiana Duque, “Los Asesinatos de Exfarc Ponen en Vilo la Verdad Que Busca la Jep” (La Silla Vacia (Colombia), June 28, 2019).

Durante las últimas dos semanas, dos excombatientes de las Farc fueron asesinados en Cauca y tres en Nariño, todos de la misma forma: a disparos y por sicarios

Guatemala, Mexico

• “Chairman Engel, Nadler, and Thompson Call on Trump to End Unlawful Safe Third Country Negotiations” (U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs Democratic Office, June 28, 2019).

The State Department’s most recent Human Rights Reports on Guatemala and Mexico make it clear that these countries do not meet the legal standards required for safe third country agreements

Honduras

• Carlos Dada, “Los Ninos Con Piedras se Unen a las Protestas en Honduras” (El Faro (El Salvador), June 28, 2019).

Estudiantes con edades que van de los 11 a los 18 años se han unido a las protestas en un país militarizado, en el que se respira gas lacrimógeno

Mexico

• Alberto Pradilla, “Casa del Migrante en Sonora Acusa Que Guardia Nacional Intento Irrumpir en Albergue” (Animal Politico (Mexico), June 28, 2019).

Los albergues de la zona norte denuncian que elementos de la Guardia Nacional quisieron entrar a las instalaciones de Agua Prieta. El gobierno no ofrece explicaciones

• Ángeles Mariscal, “Cierran el Paso a Migrantes Que Suben al Tren” (Aristegui Noticias, June 28, 2019).

‘¡Ejército! ¡Están rodeados! ¡Están rodeados!’, gritan a migrantes durante operativo de detención en Palenque, Chiapas

• Arturo Angel, “Guardia Nacional Iniciara Sin Reglamento, Con Dudas Sobre su Estado de Fuerza y Capacitacion” (Animal Politico (Mexico), June 28, 2019).

Las autoridades no han transparentado los detalles sobre los cursos de capacitación y procesos de evaluación de los elementos de la Guardia Nacional

• Stephania Taladrid, “The Violence Beat” (Columbia Journalism Review, June 28, 2019).

Since Turati began chronicling the conflict, it has claimed almost 250,000 lives. More than 40,000 people are missing

• Joel Rose, “Trump Administration’s ‘Remain in Mexico’ Policy Leaves Migrants Confused, Scared” (National Public Radio, June 28, 2019).

More than 6,000 migrants have been returned to Juarez so far. Most of them are poor, are staying in shelters run by churches in town, waiting for their days in court

• Cedar Attanasio, “‘It’s Not Safe Here.’ Migrants Detail Violence They Face as U.S. Makes Them Wait in Mexico” (Associated Press, Time, June 28, 2019).

Cartel violence in Juarez is down from its height five years ago, but it is still one of the most dangerous cities in the world

Venezuela

• Brian Ellsworth, Mayela Armas, “Special Report: Why the Military Still Stands by Venezuela’s Beleaguered President” (Reuters, Reuters, June 28, 2019).

In a series of actions that began in 1999, the former lieutenant colonel and one-time coup leader began taming the military by bloating it, buying it off, politicizing it, intimidating the rank and file, and fragmenting the overall command

• “Jefe del Comando Sur Asegura Que Venezuela Requiere de “Paciencia Estrategica”” (EFE, El Estimulo (Venezuela), June 28, 2019).

“La jefatura ha sido clara, todas las opciones están sobre la mesa. Y estas opciones incluyen un amplio abanico de herramientas y políticas. Ya veremos cómo se desarrollan, pero -como militar- mi trabajo es estar preparado”

(Even more here)

June 25, 2019

Western Hemisphere Regional

• Jonathan Blitzer, “Ice Agents Are Losing Patience With Trump’s Chaotic Immigration Policy” (The New Yorker, June 25, 2019).

Preparations that would typically take field officers six to eight weeks were compressed into a few days, and, because of Trump’s tweet, the officers would be entering communities that now knew they were coming

• Dan Restrepo, Trevor Sutton, Joel Martinez, “Getting Migration in the Americas Right” (Center for American Progress, June 25, 2019).

Advancing U.S. national interests requires a fundamental reassessment of current and recent approaches in the Americas, beginning with abandoning the policies of the current U.S. administration that are impeding effective national and regional responses to migration

• Clara Long, Nicole Austin-Hillery, “We Went to a Border Detention Center for Children. What We Saw Was Awful” (CNN, June 25, 2019).

US Border Patrol is holding many children, including some who are much too young to take care of themselves, in jail-like border facilities for weeks at a time without contact with family members, regular access to showers, clean clothes, toothbrushes, or proper beds. Many are sick

Colombia

• Megan Janetsky, “They Were Raped During Colombia’s Civil War. Now They Want Justice for Their Children.” (Public Radio International, June 25, 2019).

They called for the government to pay monetary reparations — compensation for war damages — to both sexual abuse survivors and children born as results of the abuse

• “Ejercito Traslada Base Militar por Denuncias de Abusos en el Catatumbo” (El Tiempo (Colombia), June 25, 2019).

El plazo para desmontar esta guarnición en El Carmen (N. de Santander) es de siete días Por supuestos casos de abusos que van desde ocupación de bienes indígenas hasta graves hechos de tortura, atribuidos a miembros de las Fuerzas Armadas, el Ejército Nacional acordó este fin de semana trasladar una base militar, ubicada en zona rural del municipio de El Carmen

• Natalia Herrera Durán, “Maria del Pilar Hurtado, la Lider Que Habia Denunciado “Casas de Pique”” (El Espectador (Colombia), June 25, 2019).

La madre asesinada el viernes 21 de junio era María del Pilar Hurtado, una líder comunitaria de la Fundación de Víctimas Adelante con Fortaleza (Funviavor) del Cauca que se había desplazado a Tierralta (Córdoba) hace un año

• Juanita Velez, Adelaida Avila Cabrera, “Mientras la Quieren Tumbar, la Jep Esta por Senalar Culpables” (La Silla Vacia (Colombia), June 25, 2019).

Ya abrió siete macro casos, que involucran a más de la mitad de las 11.827 personas que se han sometido a ella, 9.704 de las Farc y 2.059 de la Fuerza Pública. La idea es abrir otros para abarcar a todos los llamados comparecientes

Colombia, Ecuador

• “Fuerzas Armadas de Ecuador y Colombia Hacen Ejercicio para Detener las Narcoavionetas” (El Universo (Ecuador), June 25, 2019).

Ecuador pone en práctica el funcionamiento de planes de interdicción a través de la flota de aviones Super Tucano, que de acuerdo con Oswaldo Jarrín, ministro de Defensa, ya ha dejado algunos resultados

Honduras

• “Policia Militar Ataca Con Bala Viva a Estudiantes y Viola Autonomia de la Unah” (El Heraldo (Honduras), June 25, 2019).

A los minutos se escucharon los llantos, había varios heridos de bala, cuatro estudiantes con edades entre 21 y 22 años que fueron trasladados al Hospital Escuela, con heridas en las piernas, glúteos y otras partes de cuerpo

• Ryan Dube, “Honduras’s Leader Struggles With Ills That Drive Migration” (The Wall Street Journal, June 25, 2019).

The White House and State Department have praised Mr. Hernández for fighting cocaine traffickers and reducing the homicide rate. U.S. diplomat Kimberly Breier thanked the president in April for “empowering Hondurans to build their future at home”

• Sandra Cuffe, “Honduras Protest Crackdown: Five Things to Know” (Al Jazeera, June 25, 2019).

Protests against President Juan Orlando Hernandez are likely to continue as the anniversary of the 2009 coup approaches

Mexico

• “Nueva Evidencia de Tortura en el Caso Ayotzinapa Reafirma la Urgencia de Investigar a Funcionarios Que Incurrieron en Violaciones a Derechos Humanos y Obstruyeron la Busqueda de la Justicia y Verdad” (UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Mexico Field Office, June 25, 2019).

Desde el viernes pasado diversos medios de comunicación publicaron un video que expone la tortura en contra de uno de los detenidos por el caso Ayotzinapa, Carlos Canto Salgado, por tres individuos

• Adolfo Flores, “Mexico Is Deploying 15,000 Troops to the Border to Stop Immigrants From Reaching the Us” (BuzzFeed, June 25, 2019).

Monday’s press conference appeared to mark the first time Mexican officials have disclosed they were sending troops to its border with the US

Nicaragua

• “Editorial: Las Sanciones y el Ejercito” (La Prensa (Nicaragua), June 25, 2019).

Según analistas políticos, el caso de Mojica es el más importante porque la sanción es una advertencia indirecta que envía EE. UU. a los altos mandos del Ejército de Nicaragua, de que también podrían ser sancionados por su complicidad con la dictadura

Venezuela

• Anthony Faiola, “Maduro’s Ex-Spy Chief Lands in U.S. Armed With Allegations Against Venezuelan Government” (The Washington Post, June 25, 2019).

Figuera arrived in the United States on Monday armed with allegations about Maduro’s government: The illicit gold deals. The Hezbollah cells working in Venezuela. The extent of Cuban influence inside Maduro’s Miraflores Palace

(Even more here)

June 24, 2019

Western Hemisphere Regional

• “Editorial: There’s No Excuse for Mistreating Children at the Border. Here’s What to Do About It.” (The New York Times, June 24, 2019).

President Trump has promoted policies that undermine all these goals, and Congress has failed to agree on a coherent vision. You can help turn that around. Here’s how

• Serena Marshall, Lana Zak, Jennifer Metz, “Doctor Compares Conditions at Immigrant Holding Centers to ‘Torture Facilities’” (ABC News, June 24, 2019).

The disturbing, first-hand account of the conditions were observed by lawyers and a board-certified physician in visits last week to border patrol holding facilities in Clint, Texas, and McAllen

• Caitlin Dickerson, “‘There Is a Stench’: No Soap and Overcrowding in Detention Centers for Migrant Children” (The New York Times, June 24, 2019).

A chaotic scene of sickness and filth is unfolding in an overcrowded border station in Clint, Tex., where hundreds of young people who have recently crossed the border are being held

• Ken White, “Why a Government Lawyer Argued Against Giving Immigrant Kids Toothbrushes” (The Atlantic, June 24, 2019).

The sheer effrontery of the government’s argument may be explained, but not excused, by its long backstory

• Chantal Da Silva, “Border Patrol Agents Find Woman and Three Children Dead Near Border” (Newsweek, June 24, 2019).

Guerra’s statement on the deaths came ten hours after the sheriff warned of a “dangerous heat advisory,” asserting that people in the area should “avoid outdoor activities”

• Lomi Kriel, Dug Begley, “Trump Administration Still Separating Hundreds of Migrant Children at the Border Through Often Questionable Claims of Danger” (The Houston Chronicle, June 24, 2019).

More than 700 children were taken from their parents or, in a few cases, from other relatives between June 2018 and May 2019

Brazil

• Daniel Schweimler, “Police Violence Worsens in Brazil’s Poor Neighbourhoods” (Al Jazeera, June 24, 2019).

Despite many questionable police killings, no Rio de Janeiro police officer has yet been convicted or jailed

Colombia

• “Operacion Silencio” (Semana (Colombia), June 24, 2019).

SEMANA revela los detalles del cerco de amenazas y presiones sobre los militares que están denunciando los falsos positivos y actos de corrupción en el Ejército. ¿Por qué los quieren callar y qué información tienen?

Colombia, Cuba

• “Gobierno Pide a Fiscalia Tramitar Extradicion de Negociadores del Eln” (El Tiempo (Colombia), June 24, 2019).

‘Pablo Beltrán’ y el alto comisionado, Miguel Ceballos, se refirieron a esta solicitud“A nosotros nos mandaron acá en Cuba a hacer negociaciones de paz, con una agenda que ya estaba firmada y sigue firmada, nosotros nos enteramos de esa acción aquí en Cuba, por supuesto no sabíamos, nos enteramos acá”, detalló ‘Beltrán’

Colombia

• Carolina Avila Cortes, “Hay Mas de 300 Posibles Victimas de Ejecuciones Extrajudiciales en la Region Caribe” (El Espectador (Colombia), June 24, 2019).

Este es el departamento con mayor número de víctimas y aseguran que bajo la comandancia de Nicacio Martínez, en la X Brigada Blindada, 58 personas fueron asesinadas y presentadas como exguerrilleros o extorsionistas

• “¿Ejecutados? Semana Encontro Nuevas Denuncias Sobre Posibles Ejecuciones Extrajudiciales” (Semana (Colombia), June 24, 2019).

Arauca y Tumaco son los escenarios de hechos que dejan muchas dudas y que tendrá que investigar la Fiscalía y Procuraduría

Colombia, Venezuela

• Dylan Baddour, “Colombia’s Border Czar Stands Against the Anti-Migrant Tide” (The Atlantic, June 24, 2019).

Muñoz has now spent 16 months through two presidential administrations leading his nation’s efforts to respond to the migration crisis. He is upbeat, though there are few hints that the flow of Venezuelans will stop anytime soon

Colombia

• “¿por Que los Quieren Callar?” (Semana (Colombia), June 24, 2019).

Los militares que están confesando en la JEP cómo participaron en los falsos positivos son blanco de amenazas y presiones. ¿Qué están contando que es tan incómodo?

• Julieta Pelcastre, “Colombian Navy Boosts Tactical Land Mobility” (Revista Dialogo (U.S. Southern Command), June 24, 2019).

The U.S. delivered 12 Humvees to strengthen the Colombian Navy’s tactical land mobility. These vehicles will be operational in mid-June 2019

Cuba

• Anthony Faiola, “As Sanctions Bite in Cuba, the U.S. — Once a Driver of Hope — Is Now a Source of Pain” (The Washington Post, June 24, 2019).

The lawn of the Nicaraguan Embassy — a launch point for migrants seeking to enter the United States via Mexico — is overflowing with visa applicants

Guatemala

• Alleen Brown, “She Defended Her Land Against a Mine in Guatemala. Then She Fled in Fear for Her Life.” (The Intercept, June 24, 2019).

For years, Tahoe Resources argued that there were no Xinca people left in the communities surrounding the mine who would require any consultation. They were wrong

Mexico

• Maya Averbuch, Kirk Semple, “Mexico’s Crackdown at Its Southern Border, Prompted by Trump, Scares Migrants From Crossing” (The New York Times, June 24, 2019).

Immigrants’ advocates anticipated that the increasing presence of security forces would continue to drive down the number of people trying to migrate north, but they expected that in time, the flows would rebound

• Oliver de Ros, “Mexico Officials Detain More Migrants as Crackdown Steps Up” (Associated Press, Associated Press, June 24, 2019).

Many of the National Guardsmen are soldiers and police officers who now wear black armbands indicating they are part of the National Guard

Belize, Guatemala, Mexico

• Jacobo Garcia, Teresa de Miguel, Fred Ramos, “El Caribe Turbio” (El Pais (Spain), June 24, 2019).

Este especial describe la enigmática realidad que se levanta a pocos pasos de los centros turísticos más importantes del mundo

Mexico

• “Deportations After Deal: A New Reality in Mexico” (BBC (UK), June 24, 2019).

Photojournalist Encarni Pindado has seen the impact of the harsher policies on the people making their journey north.

• Lizbeth Diaz, “Two More Border Cities Added to U.S.-Mexico Asylum Program: Sources” (Reuters, Reuters, June 24, 2019).

The policy known as the Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP), or Remain in Mexico, will be implemented later this week in Nuevo Laredo in the northern state of Tamaulipas

Venezuela

• “Army and Police Officials ‘Detained’ in Venezuela” (BBC (UK), June 24, 2019).

Activists say six officials have been detained as President Maduro intensifies a crackdown on dissent Six members of Venezuela’s military and police have been arrested, activists say, weeks after a failed uprising against President Nicolás Maduro

• James Dobbins, “Preparing for a Venezuela After Maduro” (Foreign Affairs, June 24, 2019).

There is no sign that the Trump administration set any post-conflict preparation in train before U.S. officials began issuing musing about military action, or even that they have now done so

• Admiral Craig Faller, “Ussouthcom Commander Admiral Craig Faller Message to the Venezuelan Military” (Revista Dialogo (U.S. Southern Command), June 24, 2019).

I hope the day comes soon when we can welcome you back into our hemisphere’s professional brotherhood-of-arms. We look forward to Venezuela’s return to the family of democracies in this hemisphere

(Even more here)

June 18, 2019

Western Hemisphere Regional

• Priscilla Alvarez, Geneva Sands, “Trump Admin Considers Temporary Courts Along the Southern Border” (CNN, June 18, 2019).

Site assessments have been completed for almost all the ports of entry to determine where such temporary immigration courts, described by sources as “soft-sided,” would be needed

Colombia

• Tatiana Duque, Juanita Velez, “Gentil Duarte Da un Paso Mas para Revivir a las Farc” (La Silla Vacia (Colombia), June 18, 2019).

La disidencia de Gentil Duarte, que es la más grande del país, se está consolidando en Putumayo, está dando los primeros pasos para entrar a Cauca y por medio de su aliado Iván Mordisco llegó hasta Nariño

• Sebastian Forero Rueda, “La Verdad de las Mujeres en la Guerra, en Manos de Justicia Transicional” (El Espectador (Colombia), June 18, 2019).

La Jurisdicción Especial de Paz y la Comisión de la Verdad reciben este martes, 18 de junio, cinco informes sobre violencia contra mujeres indígenas, afrodescendientes, exiliadas y defensoras de derechos humanos que recogen más de 900 testimonios

• “Gobierno Planea Retomar Aspersion Con Glifosato En “Cuestion de Semanas”” (El Espectador (Colombia), June 18, 2019).

Según reveló Botero, la aspersión se retomaría en julio

Ecuador

• Pablo Jaramillo Viteri, Chris Kraul, “Ecuador Defends Decision to Let the U.S. Use the Galapagos Islands for Anti-Drug Flights” (The Los Angeles Times, June 18, 2019).

Ecuador signed the new agreement with the U.S. last year, but it was detailed only at a little-noticed news conference in April

El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras

• Matthew Lee , “Us Restores Some Aid to el Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala” (Associated Press, Associated Press, June 18, 2019).

The State Department said that after a review of more than $615 million in assistance that President Donald Trump ordered in March to be cut entirely, it would go ahead with $432 million

Guatemala

• Sandra Cuffe, “Guatemala Arrests Fugitive Ex-Military Chief Accused of Genocide” (Al Jazeera, June 18, 2019).

Luis Enrique Mendoza, on the run since 2011, faces charges for his alleged role in 1982 massacre of Maya Ixil people

• MartÍn RodrÍguez Pellecer, “Habra Otro Invierno en el Gobierno, el Pacto Es Castigado, y Otras Sorpresas de la Eleccion” (Nomada (Guatemala), June 18, 2019).

No hay mucho qué celebrar para la alianza conocida como el Pacto de Corruptos en el Congreso. Y hubo un voto de protesta que no puede ser ignorado

• Gabriel Labrador, “Guatemala se Resigna en las Urnas a Ver Morir a la Cicig” (El Faro (El Salvador), June 18, 2019).

El resultado probablemente condena a muerte a la Comisión Contra la Impunidad, pieza clave de la lucha contra la corrupción en los últimos diez años

Mexico

• Alonso Urrutia, “Asumira el Gobierno Control de Albergues para Indocumentados: Amlo” (La Jornada (Mexico), June 18, 2019).

Había casos, dijo, de organizaciones no gubernamentales dedicada a apoyos a migrantes a quienes se le entregaban los recursos y el dinero nunca llegó a los migrantes

• Alberto Pradilla, “Todos Alerta: Migrantes Eluden Retenes en la Carretera y Corren en un Intento de Abordar el Tren” (Animal Politico (Mexico), June 18, 2019).

En una de las salidas de Huixtla, Chiapas, migrantes centroamericanos se aferran a la posibilidad de abordar el tren, para avanzar en su ruta hacia el norte

• Maria Verza, “Overcrowding, Abuse Seen at Mexico Migrant Detention Center” (Associated Press, Associated Press, June 18, 2019).

Located in the city of Tapachula, near the border with Guatemala, it’s a secretive place off-limits to public scrutiny where cellphones are confiscated and journalists aren’t allowed inside

• Nick Miroff, “Arrests Along Mexico Border Are Falling, Preliminary Figures Show” (The Washington Post, June 18, 2019).

U.S. authorities detained more than 85,000 “family unit” members at the border in May, an average of nearly 2,800 per day. That number has declined about 13 percent since the beginning of June

• Alejandro Lazo, “Mexican Shelters Strained by Migrants Struggle With U.S. Returnees” (The Wall Street Journal, June 18, 2019).

Shelters in Mexico are already overcrowded, and resources are thin in border communities such as Tijuana

• Maria Sacchetti, “‘the American Dream Has Turned Into Hell’: In Test of a Deterrent, Juarez Scrambles Before U.S. Dumps Thousands of Migrants” (The Washington Post, June 18, 2019).

More than 200 migrants were sent back to Juarez on Thursday, double the previous day, and officials expect as many as 500 migrants each day will be returned from El Paso to Juarez in coming weeks

• Ted Hesson, “Mexican Official Claims Gains in U.S. Border Enforcement” (Politico, June 18, 2019).

The Mexican official, who briefed reporters in Washington, said U.S. Border Patrol arrested 2,600 people per day after the agreement was struck on June 7. That would be a steep drop from the daily average of 4,300 border arrests in May

(Even more here)

June 17, 2019

Colombia

• Joe Parkin Daniels, “Journalist Finally Brings Attackers to Justice but Warns: ‘Colombia’s Sliding Backwards’” (The Guardian (Uk), June 17, 2019).

“When you see social leaders threatened, when you hear women threatened with rape if they don’t shut up, when you see journalists attacked for not toeing the government line, it’s heartbreaking”

• “Jep Busca a 1.615 Militares y Policias Que No se Han Reportado” (El Tiempo (Colombia), June 17, 2019).

Para mantener el beneficio de la libertad debían presentarse a la JEP y, a través de la Sala de Definición de Situaciones Jurídicas, concretar el régimen de condicionalidad mediante el cual se comprometen a garantizar la verdad, la reparación y la no repeticiónEllos obtuvieron su libertad o pasaron de una cárcel a una sede militar, y aún no responden

• Juan Jose Aux Trujillo, “Jep, en la Mira de un Referendo” (El Colombiano (Medellin Colombia), June 17, 2019).

La recolección de firmas para el referendo que pretende hacer dos reformas constitucionales –una jurídica, en la que eliminaría la JEP, y una política, que transformaría el Congreso– ya inició

• “Ivan Marquez Pierde su Investidura de Congresista” (El Espectador (Colombia), June 17, 2019).

El Consejo de Estado tomó esta decisión luego de advertir que el exjefe de las Farc no se posesionó en el Congreso y la única excusa posible para su ausencia, que haya sido por “fuerza mayor”, no pudo comprobarse

• Hector Riveros, “La Declaracion del Coronel Acelero Todo” (La Silla Vacia (Colombia), June 17, 2019).

El expresidente Álvaro Uribe anunció formalmente su intención de promover una modificación constitucional que revoque los poderes actuales -cortes y legislativo- y que cambie el componente de justicia (JEP)

Guatemala

• Sonia Perez D., “Ex-First Lady Leads Guatemalan President Vote, Runoff Likely” (Associated Press, The Washington Post, June 17, 2019).

With votes tallied from just over a third of polling centers, Sandra Torres had captured 24% of Sunday’s vote, followed by four-time presidential candidate Alejandro Giammattei with 15%

• Javier Corrales, “Guatemala: Nueve Vicios de las Elecciones Latinoamericanas en un Solo Ejemplo” (The New York Times, June 17, 2019).

Si una persona con poco conocimiento de América Latina quisiera enterarse de los males típicos de las elecciones presidenciales de la región, no tendría que ir más lejos que a Guatemala

• Nina Lakhani, “Thelma Cabrera: Indigenous, Female and Shaking Up Guatemala’s Election” (The Guardian (Uk), June 17, 2019).

The campesino leader is running for president in a country whose indigenous majority is chronically overlooked – and she has a chance of making the runoff

Mexico

• Maria Verza, Rebecca Blackwell, “Mexico Reinforces Migrant Checks Amid U.S. Pressure” (Associated Press, Time, June 17, 2019).

The Associated Press saw nearly 10 armed soldiers at a checkpoint near Ciudad Cuauhtémoc, in Chiapas state, wearing black armbands to indicate they are part of the National Guard

• Jude Webber, “Grim Border Trek Continues in Defiance of Mexico Crackdown” (The Financial Times (UK), June 17, 2019).

Mr Martínez’s brother is holed up in a hotel near Veracruz in south-eastern Mexico, with a party of three adults and three children, after being tipped off about a huge roadblock ahead. “When it’s that big, you can’t buy them off,” the coyote said

Peru, Venezuela

• Mitra Taj, “As Peru Tightens Its Border, Desperate Venezuelans Cling to Asylum Lifeline” (Reuters, Reuters, June 17, 2019).

A record 4,700 asylum claims were filed in Peru on Friday, part of more than 8,000 Venezuelans who entered the country that day

(Even more here)

June 7, 2019

Western Hemisphere Regional

• James Laporta, “Exclusive: U.S. Marines Faced Down Armed Gunman at Mexico Border in Latest Threatening Encounter” (Newsweek, June 7, 2019).

Three individuals, one armed and aiming a firearm at U.S. service members in Yuma, Arizona were apprehended late last month

Colombia

• “Entrenamiento Militar Bajo Tortura: ¿Origen de Falsos Positivos?” (El Espectador (Colombia), June 7, 2019).

Expuso videos, testimonios y documentos que apuntan a que los entrenamientos militares se basan en la humillación, tortura y maltrato de los oficiales en curso, lo cual, en su concepto, contribuye a que estén dispuestos a matar sin contemplación

• “Lento Avance en Paz Enfria Relacion Gobierno- Comunidad Internacional” (El Tiempo (Colombia), June 7, 2019).

Lo que piensan algunos defensores del acuerdo de paz con las Farc es que hay un “desconcierto generalizado” en la comunidad internacional por la postura del gobierno de Iván Duque sobre la implementación de lo pactado en La Habana

• “Por Peticion de la Corte, Duque Firma Ley Estatutaria de la Jep” (Semana (Colombia), June 7, 2019).

El mandatario finalmente promulgó en silencio y a regañadientes la norma que trató de modificar con las fracasadas objeciones

• Nicolas Sanchez Arevalo, “Una Nueva Guerra en Choco: Lo Que Hay Detras del Desplazamiento de 417 Indigenas” (El Espectador (Colombia), June 7, 2019).

Huyen de combates entre el Eln y las disidencias de las Farc, lo que abriría una nueva confrontación en el sur del departamento

• German Arenas Usme, “El Placer: Pueblo Fantasma Lleno de Temor en Medio de la Selva de Putumayo” (Verdad Abierta (Colombia), June 7, 2019).

Los habitantes de esa región todavía no han superado las secuelas del conflicto armado que padecieron hace un par de décadas y están sufriendo una nueva ola de violencia que ha producido más desplazamientos forzados

Cuba

• William M. Leogrande, “U.S.-Cuba: You Can’t Get There From Here” (AULA Blog (American University), June 7, 2019).

The biggest losers are the small entrepreneurs, intellectuals, and artists who have been agents of change on the island

El Salvador

• “El Salvador Stops Honouring the Leader of the el Mozote Massacre” (The Economist (Uk), June 7, 2019).

Mr Bukele’s order to take down Monterrosa’s name—which he announced on Twitter—signals an attempt to break with those parties’ legacies

Guatemala

• Nicholas Kristof, “‘Food Doesn’t Grow Here Anymore. That’s Why I Would Send My Son North.’” (The New York Times, June 7, 2019).

American carbon emissions are partly responsible for wretchedness in Guatemala that drives emigration, yet when those desperate Guatemalans arrive at the U.S. border they are treated as invaders

• Sandra Cuffe, “Us Agents’ Deployment to Stem Guatemalan Migration Raises Alarm” (Al Jazeera, June 7, 2019).

When asked about the Gonzalez letter indicating it was the Morales administration that requested troops, Morales scoffed, said journalists should ask the letter’s author and promptly left

Honduras

• “Gobierno Militariza Toda Honduras Como Si Tratase de un Estado de Sitio” (Criterio (Honduras), June 7, 2019).

Las principales ciudades de Honduras amanecieron este jueves llenas de elementos de la seguridad del Estado en momentos en que este país centroamericano se debate en una crisis política-social

Mexico

• David J. Lynch, Kevin Sieff, Nick Miroff, “Mexico Aims to Avoid Tariffs With Potential Deal Limiting Migrants Going North, Allowing U.S. to Deport Central American Asylum Seekers” (The Washington Post, June 7, 2019).

Any migrants who made it to the U.S. border generally would be deported to the appropriate third country. And any migrants who express a fear of death or torture in their home country would be subjected to a tougher screening standard

• Alberto Pradilla, Manu Ureste, “¿por Que Detuvieron a Irineo y Cristobal, Defensores de Derechos de Migrantes?” (Animal Politico (Mexico), June 7, 2019).

Mujica y Sánchez están acusados de tráfico de personas y han sido vinculados a las caravanas; un fenómeno que, en la práctica, permite a los migrantes atravesar México sin recurrir a un coyote

• Leon Krauze, “Mexico’s Breaking Point?” (Slate, June 7, 2019).

Nothing would be a more indefensible concession than granting a potential request for Mexico to become a “safe third country” for Central American immigrants. McAleenan is mistaken: Mexico is not a safe country for refugees

• Azam Ahmed, Michael D. Shear, “Mexico and the U.S. Have Made Progress Toward Averting Tariffs” (The New York Times, June 7, 2019).

Guatemalans looking for refuge would have to apply for asylum in Mexico rather than the United States. And those fleeing El Salvador and Honduras would have to seek asylum in Guatemala rather than continuing on to Mexico or the United States

Venezuela

• Geoff Ramsey, “5 Takeaways From U.S. Individual Sanctions: A Key to U.S. Strategy in Venezuela” (Washington Office on Latin America, June 7, 2019).

Though offering sanctions relief to individuals emerges as a dominant tool of the U.S. government strategy in Venezuela, it remains to be seen how effective such offers can be at lowering exit costs

(Even more here)

June 6, 2019

Western Hemisphere Regional

• Justin Wise, “Us Military Personnel Ordered to Paint Border Barriers to Improve ‘Aesthetic Appearance’” (The Hill, June 6, 2019).

A disgraceful misuse of taxpayer $$,” Durbin said on Twitter. “Our military has more important work to do than making Trump’s wall beautiful”

• Caitlin Dickson, “Border Patrol Is Confiscating Migrant Kids’ Medicine, U.S. Doctors Say” (Yahoo!, June 6, 2019).

“At the end of the day, as a medical provider, as a physician, we take an oath to first do no harm. And taking somebody’s medications seems like it’s causing harm”

• Nick Miroff, “Arrests Along Mexico Border Surged Again in May, Blowing Past ‘Breaking Point’” (The Washington Post, June 6, 2019).

It was by far the largest one-month arrest total since President Trump took office, and it was the highest monthly figure in 13 years

• Dara Lind, “The Border Is in Crisis. Here’s How It Got This Bad.” (Vox, June 6, 2019).

There really is something unprecedented — and deadly — happening at the US/Mexico border right now. But the threat is to migrants themselves

• w.j. Hennigan, “The Trump Administration Is Scouting Military Bases to Shelter Migrant Children” (Time, June 6, 2019).

Health and Human Services, which is responsible for caring for children under 18 years old until they can be given to an adult relative, stated it has taken about 40,900 children into custody through April 30. That’s a 57% increase from last year

• Maria Sacchetti, “Trump Administration Cancels English Classes, Soccer, Legal Aid for Unaccompanied Child Migrants in U.S. Shelters” (The Washington Post, June 6, 2019).

In an email obtained by The Washington Post, U.S. officials say program for sheltering minors who crossed the border is running out of money, must focus on “essential” services

Colombia

• “‘Confiamos Plenamente en el Papel de las Fuerzas Armadas’: Farc” (El Tiempo (Colombia), June 6, 2019).

Varios senadores se sorprendieron cuando escucharon al senador Lozada pronunciando palabras de elogio a las Fuerzas Armadas y la Policía

• “Senado Aprobo el Ascenso del General Nicacio Martinez” (Semana (Colombia), June 6, 2019).

Con una votación de 58 contra 19 se negó la proposición de la oposición de votar por separado el ascenso de este oficial y eso dio vía libre para su promoción a la mayor dignidad de las Fuerzas Militares

• Helen Murphy, Luis Jaime Acosta, “Thousands of Colombian Farc Rebels Return to Arms Despite Peace Accord -Military Intelligence Report” (Reuters, Reuters, June 6, 2019).

The internal report puts the number of combatants belonging to dissident Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) groups at around 2,300, a sharp increase from about 300 at the time of the controversial peace agreement

• Rafael Croda, “La Dea Enfrenta Demanda Penal por Operaciones Ilegales en Colombia” (Proceso (Mexico), June 6, 2019).

Entre los agentes acusados figuran Brian Witek, quien dirigió un operativo de “entrampamiento” (incitación al delito, lo que es ilegal en Colombia) contra el exguerrillero de las FARC Jesús Santrich

• Juan Jose Aux Trujillo, “107 Lideres Politicos Han Sido Victimas de Violencia” (El Colombiano (Medellin Colombia), June 6, 2019).

El resultado es preocupante, a cuatro meses de las elecciones, el pico de violencia, secuestros y asesinatos contra líderes políticos va a alcanzar su punto más alto

• “Gobierno Asegura Que Crimenes de Lideres Sociales se Han Reducido” (El Tiempo (Colombia), June 6, 2019).

Según Barbosa, en lo corrido de este año están verificados 22 asesinatos. claro que la ONU ya ha recibido reportes de 57 posibles casos de líderes y defensores asesinados, que están en proceso de documentación

El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras

• “Central America | Food Insecurity in the Dry Corridor – Emergency Response Coordination Centre (Ercc) – Dg Echo Daily Map” (European Commission’s Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations, ReliefWeb, June 6, 2019).

English Map on Guatemala and 4 other countries about Food and Nutrition, Protection and Human Rights, Refugees and Drought; published on 03 Jun 2019 by ECHO

El Salvador

• Jose Miguel Cruz, “Nayib Bukele y los Riesgos del Populismo” (El Faro (El Salvador), June 6, 2019).

Las probabilidades de que la gestión de Nayib Bukele resulte ser la continuación de la corrupción sistémica, el nepotismo, la preferencia por el autoritarismo y la ineficiencia en las instituciones, son perturbadoramente altas

Guatemala

• Kevin Sieff, “Guatemala Says It’s Working With the United States to Tighten Borders, Break Up Migrant Caravans” (The Washington Post, June 6, 2019).

Plans to renegotiate a regional open-borders agreement, break up migrant caravans and subject families to DNA testing

Honduras

• Nina Lakhani, “Honduras Deploys Security Forces as Doctors and Teachers Demand President’s Resignation” (The Guardian (Uk), June 6, 2019).

Juan Orlando Hernández, the US government’s top ally in Central America, is under increasing pressure amid public anger over crumbling public services, dismal approval ratings – and explosive revelations that he was the subject of a US Drug Enforcement Administration trafficking investigation

Mexico

• Jorge G. Castaneda, “Mexico Has Tried to Avoid Trump. It Can’t Anymore.” (The New York Times, June 6, 2019).

President López Obrador has few cards to play. But any alternative is preferable to continuing to kowtow to Washington

• Marco Ugarte, “Mexico Officials Intercept About 1,000 Migrants on Highway” (Associated Press, The Washington Post, June 6, 2019).

Unarmed agents wrestled some migrants who resisted to the ground, but the vast majority complied and boarded buses or immigration agency vans

• Mathieu Tourliere, “Operativo Policiaco-Militar Frena Caravana Migrante en Chiapas” (Proceso (Mexico), June 6, 2019).

Este fuerte operativo ocurrió en medio de las negociaciones que el gobierno mexicano emprende en Washington con la administración del presidente Donald Trump para evitar que éste imponga aranceles

• David Agren, “Migrants Brave the ‘Beast’ as Mexico Cracks Down Under Us Pressure” (The Guardian (Uk), June 6, 2019).

As in previous crackdowns, migrants will be forced to take longer, more risky routes – such as the Beast – to avoid immigration checkpoints

• Eric Martin, Nacha Cattan, “Before Trump Threat, Mexico Agreed on Migrant Detention Target” (Bloomberg, June 6, 2019).

Both countries early this year set the target, which the people said was as many as 800 detainees per day

• Catherine E. Shoichet, “3 Myths About Mexico and Migration, Debunked” (CNN, June 6, 2019).

Deportations from Mexico have been on the rise in recent months, and the country has launched several new efforts in response to the situation

Venezuela

• John Hudson, “Exclusive: In Secret Recording, Pompeo Opens Up About Venezuelan Opposition, Says Keeping It United ‘Has Proven Devilishly Difficult’” (The Washington Post, June 6, 2019).

‘The moment Maduro leaves, everybody’s going to raise their hands and [say], “Take me, I’m the next president of Venezuela,” ’ Pompeo said in an audio recording obtained by The Washington Post

(Even more here)

June 5, 2019

Western Hemisphere Regional

• Carlo Munoz, “Military Officials Dispute Reports of Marine Shooting on Mexican Border” (The Washington Times, June 5, 2019).

Command officials are in the midst of an investigation into claims an active-duty Marine fired his sidearm after a physical confrontation with three unknown individuals during a surveillance operation near the El Centro Border Patrol station

• Courtney Kube, Julia Ainsley, “Trump Admin May House Migrant Children at Fort Benning Military Base” (NBC News, June 5, 2019).

Defense Department spokesman Major Chris Mitchell said that HHS would soon be touring Fort Benning with defense officials

• Teresa Garcia Castro, “Pretrial Detention in Latin America: The Disproportionate Impact on Women Deprived of Liberty for Drug Offenses” (Washington Office on Latin America, June 5, 2019).

Across most of Latin America a higher proportion of women than men are awaiting trial behind bars

Brazil

• Jonathan Watts, “Deforestation of Brazilian Amazon Surges to Record High” (The Guardian (Uk), June 5, 2019).

The world’s greatest rainforest – which is a vital provider of oxygen and carbon sequestration – lost 739sq km during the 31 days, equivalent to two football pitches every minute

Colombia, Venezuela

• Diana Castrillon, Natalie Gallon, “They Risked Everything for Guaido. Now Venezuela’s Military Defectors Are Lost” (CNN, June 5, 2019).

A voluntary program called Permiso Especial de Permanencia (PEP) would allow them to live and work legally in the country. Another option offers the defectors a three-month stipend to help get them on their feet

• “Tough Journey: From Venezuela Crisis to Colombia Conflict Zone” (Agence France Presse, France 24 (France), June 5, 2019).

Every day, hundreds of Venezuelans cross the Arauca river into Colombia in search of a better life — but first, they must run a gauntlet of rebels, drug runners and land mines

Colombia

• Francesco Manetto, “New Colombian Army Chief Led Brigade Probed for Killings During Civil War” (El Pais (Spain), June 5, 2019).

At least 23 of the cases under scrutiny date back to the period when the general was second-in-command of the 10 Brigade

• “Colombia: Un Experts Condemn Attacks on Reintegrated Former Combatants, Urge Respect for Peace Process” (UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, June 5, 2019).

We urge the Colombian government to cease inciting violence against demobilised individuals of the FARC-EP and to meet the guarantees that were made to them during the negotiations in Havana

• Gimena Sanchez-Garzoli, “Indigenous and Social Leaders Remain at Risk in Colombia” (Washington Office on Latin America, June 5, 2019).

Since WOLA’s last update on April 29, at least a dozen more Colombian activists or members of vulnerable Afro-Colombian, indigenous and rural communities were murdered

Cuba

• Matthew Lee , Michael Weissenstein, “Trump Administration Halts Cruises to Cuba Under New Rules” (Associated Press, Associated Press, June 5, 2019).

The Trump administration on Tuesday ended the most popular forms of U.S. travel to Cuba, banning cruise ships and a heavily used category of educational travel

• Ian Talley, Jose De Cordoba, “U.S. Imposes New Travel Curbs on Cuba” (The Wall Street Journal, June 5, 2019).

The move is likely to have a major economic impact in Cuba, whose economy is already reeling from decreased economic aid from Havana’s main ally, Venezuela

Mexico

• David Vicenteno, “Reclutamiento para Guardia Nacional Costara 17 Mil 500 Mdp: Durazo” (Excelsior (Mexico), June 5, 2019).

El Secretario de Seguridad y Protección Ciudadana resaltó que este gasto implica el paso de los elementos de las Fuerzas Armadas y la Policía Federal a la nueva corporación

• Damian Paletta, Erica Werner, Mary Beth Sheridan, Seung Min Kim, “Gop Lawmakers Warn White House They’ll Try to Block Trump’s Mexico Tariffs” (The Washington Post, June 5, 2019).

Imposition of tariffs on all Mexican goods requires a legal justification, and administration officials say the existing emergency declaration could provide the basis for that, although it’s also possible Trump would declare a new emergency

• Alejandro Moreno, “El 84% Respalda Postura de Amlo Ante Presiones de Trump” (El Financiero (Mexico), June 5, 2019).

59 por ciento cree que México debería considerar dejar a Estados Unidos y buscar otros socios comerciales, como China

• Hector de Mauleon, “El Informe Que Amlo No Quiso Recibir” (El Universal (Mexico), June 5, 2019).

Defensores de derechos humanos consideraron “preocupante” y “desalentador” que el jefe del Ejecutivo se negara a escuchar lo que la Comisión tiene que decirle sobre la situación de los derechos humanos

• Mary Beth Sheridan, “In Tariff Talks, Mexico’s Negotiators Fear Crisis in U.S. Relations, Politics Back Home” (The Washington Post, June 5, 2019).

Senior officials at the Department of Homeland Security have said they want Mexico to strengthen security on its border with Guatemala and intensify its investigation of smuggling rings that transport most migrants across Mexican territory

Venezuela

• Molly o’toole, “Venezuela, Now a Top Source of U.S. Asylum Claims, Poses a Challenge for Trump” (The Los Angeles Times, June 5, 2019).

Venezuela has overtaken China to become the No. 1 country of origin for those claiming asylum in the U.S. upon arrival or shortly after, with nearly 30,000 Venezuelans applying for asylum with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services in 2018

(Even more here)

June 4, 2019

Western Hemisphere Regional

• Rose L. Thayer, “Soldier Dies While Deployed in Arizona for Border Mission” (Stars and Stripes, June 4, 2019).

The military, the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Department and the FBI are investigating circumstances surrounding the death, though foul play is not suspected

• Spencer S. Hsu, “Judge Rejects House Suit to Block Transfer of Billions of Dollars for Trump Border Wall” (The Washington Post, June 4, 2019).

The decision is at odds with a May 24 ruling by a federal judge in California that temporarily blocked part of the plan because it was using money Congress never appropriated for that purpose

• Bob Ortega, “Trial Begins for No More Deaths Volunteer Who Aided Migrants” (CNN, June 4, 2019).

No More Deaths, founded in 2004, generally has operated without penalties, but its relations with the Border Patrol have not always been smooth

• Dianne Gallagher, Geneva Sands, Kate Sullivan, “Third Undocumented Migrant in 3 Days Dies After Being Apprehended at Us-Mexico Border” (CNN, June 4, 2019).

CBP said in a statement later Monday that the woman collapsed about 25 minutes after being apprehended, and that agents “quickly initiated emergency medical care.”

Brazil, Venezuela

• Nelza Oliveira, “Brazilian Government Authorizes Funds for Military Operations to Help Venezuelans” (Revista Dialogo (U.S. Southern Command), June 4, 2019).

In the past 12 months, the government spent more than $67 million from state funds to support military activities associated with Operation Shelter (Operação Acolhida) in the state of Roraima

Colombia, Venezuela

• Nelson Matta Colorado, “Desde Venezuela Traian las Armas a Bandas de Medellin” (El Colombiano (Medellin Colombia), June 4, 2019).

Esta es la historia de cómo las autoridades descubrieron una organización señalada de traficar armas de Venezuela para los combos de Medellín. Cinco detenidos se declararon inocentes

• Juan Camilo Montoya E., “Colombia y Rusia, Sin Grandes Coincidencias” (El Colombiano (Medellin Colombia), June 4, 2019).

Al término del encuentro, Lavrov reconoció que había hablado con su colega colombiano sobre posibles nuevos suministros de equipos militares

Colombia

• “En las Regiones No Pierden la Esperanza de Paz” (Semana (Colombia), June 4, 2019).

Pese a los tropiezos jurídicos y los incumplimientos en torno a los acuerdos del proceso de paz, la mayoría de los excombatientes se mantienen en su promesa de abandonar las armas y apostarle a la reincorporación a la vida civil

• Anastasia Moloney, “Colombia’s Push for Land Titles Brings Hope for Farmers Amid Fragile Peace” (Reuters, June 4, 2019).

Across rural Colombia, six out of 10 plots of land do not have a formal title or are not registered, according to USAID

• “Comunicado Urgente: Esmad Agrede a Comunidades Movilizadas Pacificamente Contra Erradicacion Forzada” (Asociación Minga (Colombia), June 4, 2019).

Según las denuncias de la comunidad, el Escuadron Móvil Antidisturbios, ESMAD, agredió indiscriminadamente a los manifestantes, dejando un número indeterminado de afectaciones

Honduras

• Hector Silva Avalos, “Narco-Politics Cast Shadow on Honduran Presidents: Court Documents” (InsightCrime, June 4, 2019).

Honduras’ most powerful drug trafficking organization, Los Cachiros, bribed the country’s former president and opened a line of communication to current President Juan Orlando Hernández, documents recently unsealed in a New York federal court show

Mexico

• Kate Morrissey, “San Diego Immigration Court ‘Overwhelmed’ by Remain in Mexico Cases” (The San Diego Union-Tribune, June 4, 2019).

On a given day, three of San Diego’s seven judges generally have afternoons full of MPP cases. On a recent Tuesday afternoon, 82 people were scheduled to appear before three judges

• Kirk Semple, “Mexico Cracks Down on Migrants, After Pressure From Trump to Act” (The New York Times, June 4, 2019).

According to the raftsmen, the recent crackdown by the Mexican authorities has not affected their illegal traffic

• “Posicionamiento del Gobierno de Mexico Sobre Migracion e Imposicion de Tarifas Arancelarias” (Secretaria de Relaciones Exteriores (Mexico), June 4, 2019).

Hemos recibido 24,541 solicitudes de refugio, así como 8,835 migrantes retornados de Estados Unidos que realizan su proceso migratorio ante tribunales estadounidenses mientras aguardan en territorio mexicano

• Falko Ernst, “Mexico’s Hydra-Headed Crime War” (International Crisis Group, June 4, 2019).

Each fissure redraws the front lines, ushering in fresh spates of killings. And each split carries the conflict deeper into society

Venezuela

• Andrew Rosati, David Wainer, Ethan Bronner, “U.S. on Sidelines as Allies Struggle for New Venezuela Strategy” (Bloomberg, June 4, 2019).

Recently concluded talks in Norway and separate discussions between Europe and both sides of the Venezuelan divide have effectively pushed the U.S. to the margins

• Amie Ferris-Rotman, Anton Troianovski, “Trump Said Russia Was Getting Out of Venezuela. The Kremlin Says That’s Not True.” (The Washington Post, June 4, 2019).

Peskov said he had no idea what Trump’s tweet was referring to

• Fernando Cutz, “One Way to Bring Down Maduro and His Cronies: Indictments” (The New York Times, June 4, 2019).

There is speculation in Washington that sealed indictments of members of Mr. Maduro’s inner circle already exist and that the Justice Department is waiting for the right moment to release them

(Even more here)

June 3, 2019

Western Hemisphere Regional

• A.c. Thompson, “Over 200 Allegations of Abuse of Migrant Children; 1 Case of Homeland Security Disciplining Someone” (ProPublica, June 3, 2019).

From 2009 to 2014, at least 214 complaints were filed against federal agents for abusing or mistreating migrant children. According to the Department of Homeland Security’s records, only one employee was disciplined

• Robert Moore, “Transgender Woman Migrant Who Had Been in Ice Custody Dies After Falling Ill” (The Washington Post, June 3, 2019).

In March, the American Civil Liberties Union and other groups sent a letter to ICE and the Department of Homeland Security complaining about the treatment of gay and transgender detainees at the Otero County Processing Center

Colombia

• “La Resurreccion de Santrich” (Semana (Colombia), June 3, 2019).

Su triunfo momentáneo dejó a la rama judicial –con excepción de la Fiscalía– en posición contraria al Gobierno, que reaccionó ante la libertad del exguerrillero en forma categórica

• “Dimar: Una Tumba Sin Todas las Respuestas” (Semana (Colombia), June 3, 2019).

SEMANA fue hasta el lugar en el que un cabo del Ejército asesinó a este desmovilizado, que se había acogido al proceso de paz. Lo quiso hacer pasar por guerrillero del ELN, como en las más cruentas épocas de los falsos positivos

• Adelaida Avila Cabrera, Laura Soto, “La Precampana en el Pacifico Arranco Amenazada” (La Silla Vacia (Colombia), June 3, 2019).

Desde diciembre de 2018 hasta la semana pasada 13 precandidatos han sido atacados, amenazados o asesinados en la región, lo que la confirma como una de las regiones más peligrosas en época electoral

El Salvador

• “Nayib Bukele: La Orden del Nuevo Presidente de el Salvador de Retirar de un Cuartel el Nombre de Domingo Monterrosa, el Militar Detras de la Masacre del Mozote” (BBC Mundo, La Prensa (Nicaragua), June 3, 2019).

Un viejo reclamo de las víctimas de la Guerra Civil en El Salvador fue finalmente escuchado

• Daniel Valencia, Nelson Rauda, “Nayib Bukele Comienza a Gobernar Pero No Revela su Hoja de Ruta” (El Faro (El Salvador), June 3, 2019).

Horas después, sin embargo, tomó una decisión que el gobierno anterior evadió por 10 años: ordenó a la Fuerza Armada que retire honores a Domingo Monterrosa, señalado como responsable de la masacre en El Mozote

Guatemala

• Julie Lopez, “Narcotrafico y Politica: Nuevas Historias de un Viejo Affaire” (Plaza Publica (Guatemala), June 3, 2019).

En 2013, cuando la Cicig anunció que investigaría el financiamiento ilícito de las campañas políticas, pocos imaginaban que en 2019 tantos candidatos o funcionarios serían vinculados al narcotráfico. Sin embargo, el nexo crimen organizado/política, por medio de las Redes Político Económicas Ilícitas, cumple al menos medio siglo

Honduras

• “Honduras: 31 Masacres en 5 Meses de 2019” (Criterio (Honduras), June 3, 2019).

En 122 días que van del año 2019 se ha producido una masacre cada 3.9 días, lo que demuestra que los “asesinatos múltiples”, como les llama el gobierno, van en galopante aumento

Mexico

• Mary Beth Sheridan, “Mexico’s Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador Consolidates Power With Governorship Wins” (The Washington Post, June 3, 2019).

It’s the first time since 1997 that a Mexican leader has had such a broad mandate

• Amy Guthrie, “Mexicans Launch Friendly Defensive to Deflect Us Tariffs” (Associated Press, The Washington Post, June 3, 2019).

There has also been some expert trolling

• Alberto Pradilla, Manu Ureste, “Amlo Defiende a Migrantes Frente a Trump, Pero las Detenciones en Mexico se Disparan 100%” (Animal Politico (Mexico), June 3, 2019).

La carta enviada a Trump por López Obrador contrasta con lo que sucede en la frontera sur de México, donde ONG denuncian hostigamiento de las autoridades migratorias para detener y deportar personas sin documentos

• Hope Yen, Lisa Mascaro, “White House: Trump ‘Deadly Serious’ About Mexico Tariffs” (Associated Press, Associated Press, June 3, 2019).

“So, there’s no specific target, there’s no specific percentage, but things have to get better,” Mulvaney said. “They have to get dramatically better and they have to get better quickly”

• Kevin Sieff, “Mexican Foreign Minister Prepares Washington Meetings to Avert the Threat of Tariffs” (The Washington Post, June 3, 2019).

He emphasized that Mexico’s main proposal to stop migration is to invest in Central America and that its immigration policy was bound by international treaties on migration, Mexico’s constitution “and its own dignity”

Venezuela

• Jon Lee Anderson, “Venezuela’s Two Presidents Collide” (The New Yorker, June 3, 2019).

The country has been caught in a seesawing conflict between two Presidents—one spuriously elected but backed by the armed forces, the other self-proclaimed but endorsed by much of the Western world

• Thomas Grove, “In a Blow to Maduro, Russia Withdraws Key Defense Support to Venezuela” (The Wall Street Journal, June 3, 2019).

Russian state defense contractor Rostec, which has trained Venezuelan troops and advised on securing arms contracts, has cut its staff in Venezuela to just a few dozen, from about 1,000 at the height of cooperation between Moscow and Caracas several years ago