Adam Isacson

(Even more here)

April 30, 2020

Venezuela, Western Hemisphere Regional

• “Executive Order on Ordering the Selected Reserve of the Armed Forces to Active Duty” (The White House, April 30, 2020).

It is necessary to augment the regular Armed Forces of the United States for a named operational mission, specifically the “Enhanced Department of Defense Counternarcotic Operation in the Western Hemisphere”

Brazil

• Eduardo Simoes, Jake Spring, “Brazil to Deploy Troops to Protect Amazon as Deforestation Surges” (Reuters, April 30, 2020).

From January to March, deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon rose 51% from a year ago

• Diane Jeantet, “Under Pressure, Brazil’s Bolsonaro Revokes Police Nomination” (Associated Press, Associated Press, April 30, 2020).

The ouster of the former police chief had led to the resignation of Bolsonaro’s highly popular justice minister, Sérgio Moro, who alleged political interference, pitching the administration into political turmoil

Brazil, Colombia, Mexico

• Andrés Bermúdez Liévano, “Covid-19 Crisis: Attacks on Environmental Defenders Continue in Latin America” (OpenDemocracy (UK), April 30, 2020).

At least five defenders of the environment have been killed in different Latin American countries since March 11, the date the World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19 a pandemic

Colombia

• “Gobierno No Acogera Idea Uribista de Usar Recursos de la Paz para la Pandemia” (Colprensa, El Colombiano (Medellin Colombia), April 30, 2020).

En la plenaria de la Cámara, el representante uribista Edward Rodríguez, le propuso al gobierno que parte de esos 8 billones se redireccionen

• Luis Jaime Acosta, “Colombia to Offer Legal Benefits to Those Who Leave Gangs” (Reuters, The New York Times, April 30, 2020).

Colombia will offer individuals who leave crime gangs and rebel dissident groups legal benefits including reduced sentences in an effort to weaken illegal armed groups

• “Declaracion Publica Ante el Fin de la Tregua del Eln” (Comision de la Verdad (Colombia), April 30, 2020).

La Comisión de la Verdad expresa preocupación por la decisión del Ejército de Liberación Nacional (ELN) de retomar las acciones armadas a partir del 1 de mayo de 2020, después de una tregua unilateral de todo el mes

• “Statement by the Special Representative of the un Secretary-General in Colombia Carlos Ruiz Massieu” (Mision de la ONU en Colombia, April 30, 2020).

I, therefore, encourage the ELN to extend its ceasefire. I also call once again on all groups that generate violence to suspend their actions

• Javier AlexÁnder MacÍas, “Mas de 10.000 Desplazados Deja el Conflicto en Colombia en Tres Primeros Meses” (El Colombiano (Medellin Colombia), April 30, 2020).

Según el documento, los departamentos más afectados por este fenómeno son, en su orden, Nariño, Chocó, Cauca, Norte de Santander, Antioquia y Caquetá. Además, OCHA informó que más de 100 personas fueron afectadas por minas antipersonal

• Ricardo Monsalve Gaviria, “Ilegales Han Buscado Acercamientos” (El Colombiano (Medellin Colombia), April 30, 2020).

Mucho antes de conocerse esta determinación del Gobierno de Iván Duque, todos esos GAO, a excepción de las disidencias de las Farc, ya habían expresado su intención de una negociación con el Estado

• “Jep Arranca el Tramite para Proteger a Quienes se Sometieron a Esta Justicia y Estan en Riesgo” (El Espectador (Colombia), April 30, 2020).

De acuerdo con la Jurisdicción, a la fecha han sido asesinados 193 exmiembros de las Farc y han sido hostigados 16 integrantes de la fuerza pública

• Arshad Mohammed, Julia Symmes Cobb, Frank Jack Daniel, “Two Dozen People Deported to Colombia on U.S. Flight Found to Have Coronavirus: Sources” (Reuters, April 30, 2020).

Of the 64 migrants deported by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency (ICE) on a March 30 flight, approximately 24 have tested positive for COVID-19

Colombia, Venezuela

• “Colombia Cools on Venezuelan Refugees” (The Economist (Uk), April 30, 2020).

The flight may return to its former level when covid-19 ravages Venezuela. But the next wave of migrants will find Colombia less welcoming

El Salvador

• Rep. Eliot Engel (D-New York), Rep. Albio Sires (D-New Jersey), “Engel & Sires Urge Salvadoran President to Respect Democratic Norms” (U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs Democratic Office, April 30, 2020).

We are concerned by several recent actions that you have taken which jeopardize the human rights of the Salvadoran people and your country’s democracy

• “El Salvador: Covid-19 Doesn’t Excuse Bukele’s Attacks on Rule of Law” (Washington Office on Latin America, April 30, 2020).

While imprisoned gang leaders may be directing gang activity on the street, flouting harsh and abusive treatment of incarcerated populations does nothing to make Salvadorans safer

• Brendan o’boyle, “Behind Nayib Bukele’s “Shocking” Turn” (Americas Quarterly, April 30, 2020).

The strongman image projected by Bukele in recent months stands in contrast with the picture of the young, energizing change agent many in the international community saw him as before he took office

• Marcos Aleman, “El Salvador’s Jail Crackdown on Gang Members Could Backfire” (Associated Press, Associated Press, April 30, 2020).

Experts warn that the popular president’s harsh move could backfire, unite the country’s powerful gangs against his government and return El Salvador to the days when it was one of the world’s deadliest countries

El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico

• Mathieu Tourliere, “Inm Presume Liberacion de Migrantes; Fueron “Deportaciones Ilegales”: Sin Fronteras” (Proceso (Mexico), April 30, 2020).

Sin Fronteras deploró que el INM deportara de manera masiva a 3 mil 653 personas guatemaltecas, hondureñas y salvadoreñas –algunas solicitantes de asilo–, sin proteger a los grupos vulnerables

Honduras

• “Former Chief of Honduran National Police Charged With Drug Trafficking and Weapons Offenses” (U.S. Department of Justice, April 30, 2020).

On behalf of convicted former Honduran congressman Tony Hernandez and his brother the president, Bonilla Valladares oversaw the transshipment of multi-ton loads of cocaine

• Homeland Security Department, “Agreement Between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the Republic of Honduras for Cooperation in the Examination of Protection Claims” (Federal Register, April 30, 2020).

Document is a PDF

Mexico

• “Mexico: Background and U.S. Relations” (Congressional Research Service, April 30, 2020).

Content is a PDF

• Alberto Pradilla, “Mexico Implementa la Politica Migratoria Con la Que Trump Sono” (The Washington Post, April 30, 2020).

México no tiene obligación legal de recibir a los centroamericanos expulsados, mucho menos de ser un eslabón más en la deportación exprés. Al aceptar las reglas de juego impuestas por Trump, participa en un sistema que niega derechos fundamentales como el de pedir asilo

Nicaragua

• “Nicaragua Is Promoting Illegal Land Grabs in Indigenous Territories – Report” (Associated Press, The Guardian, April 30, 2020).

Since 2015, more than 40 members of indigenous communities along Nicaragua’s northern Caribbean coast have been killed and many more wounded and kidnapped, according to the Oakland Institute

Peru

• “Peru Prison Riot Over Coronavirus Fears Leaves Nine Dead” (Agence France Presse, msn.com, April 30, 2020).

Nine inmates were killed and scores of guards wounded when rioting broke out at a prison in Lima after two inmates died from COVID-19

U.S.-Mexico Border

• Reynaldo Leanos Jr., “Advocates Say Trump Isn’t Wasting Time to Snatch Land for Border Wall Even During Pandemic” (National Public Radio, April 30, 2020).

Advocates say the administration is ramping up lawsuits against South Texas landowners to take their land for border wall construction and is accelerating the approval of construction contracts

Venezuela

• Corina Pons, Mayela Armas, “Venezuela Asks Bank of England to Sell Its Gold to u.n. For Coronavirus Relief – Sources” (Reuters, Reuters, April 30, 2020).

Venezuela is asking the Bank of England to sell part of the South American nation’s gold reserves held in its coffers and send the proceeds to the United Nations to help with the country’s coronavirus-fighting efforts

(Even more here)

April 29, 2020

Western Hemisphere Regional

• Jake Johnston, “Exporting Covid-19: Ice Air Conducted Deportation Flights to 11 Lac Countries, Flight Data Shows” (Center for Economic and Policy Research, April 29, 2020).

There were 232 likely ICE Air deportation flights to Latin America and Caribbean countries between February 3, 2020 and April 24, 2020

Brazil

• Tom Phillips, “Jair Bolsonaro Faces Inquiry Into Claims of Meddling With Police” (The Guardian, April 29, 2020).

“The president of the republic … is also subject to the laws, just like any other of the country’s citizens,” the supreme court judge Celso de Mello noted in his decision

• David Biller, Marcelo de Sousa, “Bolsonaro’s Latest Crisis Threatens Brazil’s Virus Response” (Associated Press, April 29, 2020).

As Brazil careens toward a full-blown public health emergency and economic meltdown, President Jair Bolsonaro has managed to add a third ingredient to the toxic mix: political crisis

• Terrence Mccoy, Heloisa Traiano, Marina Lopes, “For Brazil’s Bolsonaro, Isolated by Corruption Probe and Virus Denial, the Troubles Mount” (The Washington Post, April 29, 2020).

His behavior has overlaid the health and economic emergencies with a political crisis, pushing Brazil into a period of extraordinary volatility

• Tom Phillips, “‘So What?’: Bolsonaro Shrugs Off Brazil’s Rising Coronavirus Death Toll” (The Guardian, April 29, 2020).

“So what?” Jair Bolsonaro told reporters when asked about the record 474 deaths that day. “I’m sorry. What do you want me to do?”

Colombia

• “Autoridades Continuan en su Lucha Contra el Narcotrafico en Cuarentena” (El Espectador (Colombia), April 29, 2020).

Desde el pasado 16 de marzo, una semana antes de que se decretara la cuarentena por el COVID-19, la articulación entre Fiscalía y Fuerzas Militares ha dejado 25 operaciones contra redes criminales que se lucran del tráfico trasnacional de drogas

• Hanna Wallis, “Indigenous in Colombia Take on Armed Groups – and Coronavirus” (Al Jazeera, April 29, 2020).

More than 15,000 unarmed guardians from the Guardia Indigena (Indigenous Guardians or Guards), a civilian, community defence force, have mobilised throughout the country to prevent the virus from reaching Indigenous reserves

• “Gobierno Plantea Sometimiento Con Beneficios para Bacrim y Disidencias” (El Tiempo (Colombia), April 29, 2020).

Así está contemplado en el decreto 601 de este martes, firmado por el presidente Iván Duque, en el cual se establece que el Alto Comisionado para la Paz y las personas autorizadas por él, deberán verificar la voluntad real de paz y reinserción

• “‘No Hay Ninguna Posibilidad de Dialogo Con Bacrim o Disidencias’” (El Tiempo (Colombia), April 29, 2020).

No puede ser visto como un diálogo con esas organizaciones sino que se enfoca en darles las posibilidades a sus miembros de conseguir unos beneficios, que van más allá de lo judicial, si deciden volver a la vida regular

• “‘Habra Nueva Ruta para Someter Grupos Armados’: Alto Comisionado para la Paz” (El Espectador (Colombia), April 29, 2020).

Se exige el desmonte de estructuras heredadas del paramilitarismo y alternativas para sus miembros

• “El Secretario de Onu para la Prevencion de Genocidios Pretende Visitar Colombia” (El Espectador (Colombia), April 29, 2020).

Le preocupa sobre manera, los constantes homicidios contra líderes sociales y defensores de derechos humanos en departamentos como el Cauca, donde, en la última semana, fueron asesinados cuatro de ellos

Cuba

• Laura Kelly, “Biden Says He Would Return to Obama-Era Relations With Cuba” (The Hill, April 29, 2020).

“In large part, I would go back,” Biden said in an interview with a CBS affiliate in Miami. “I’d still insist they keep the commitments they said they would make when we, in fact, set the policy in place”

El Salvador

• Marcos Aleman, Christopher Sherman, “El Salvador Leader Fights Crime and Virus, Amid Criticism” (Associated Press, Associated Press, April 29, 2020).

The most popular leader in Latin America is a slender, casually dressed millennial with an easy manner on Twitter and a harsh approach that critics call increasingly frightening

• Carlos Martinez, Oscar Martinez, Efren Lemus, “Piezas para Entender la Subita Alza de Homicidios” (El Faro (El Salvador), April 29, 2020).

Ante el desconcierto, el Gobierno optó por mostrar todo el músculo posible. El Faro conversó con policías, un funcionario y un líder pandillero para buscar piezas de este rompecabezas

El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico

• “Deportation and Disease: Central America’s Covid-19 Dilemmas” (International Crisis Group, April 29, 2020).

Ideally, the U.S. and Mexico should immediately pause all deportations

Mexico

• Ioan Grillo, “The Specter of Mexico’s Coronavirus Crash” (The New York Times, April 29, 2020).

Besides the loss of jobs and savings, personal frustration and depression, could it translate to more malnutrition? And will this in turn lead to crime and unrest?

Nicaragua

• Lucia Navas, “¿Como Nos Afecta el «Vacio de Poder» en Nicaragua en Medio de la Crisis Sanitaria por el Covid-19? Esto Dicen los Analistas” (La Prensa (Nicaragua), April 29, 2020).

La parálisis de todas las instituciones carentes de un plan de respuesta para enfrentar la pandemia, lo que agrava la incertidumbre de los nicaragüenses con consecuencias a corto, mediano y largo plazo

U.S.-Mexico Border

• John Kruzel, “Court Weighs Democrats’ Challenge to Trump Wall Funding” (The Hill, April 29, 2020).

A federal appeals court in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday heard arguments over a Democratic challenge to the Trump administration’s use of defense funding to build a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border

• Connor o’brien, David Rogers, “Pentagon Pulls Money From Overseas Projects to Pay for Border Wall” (Politico, April 29, 2020).

The move, which is laid out in a memo dated Monday and obtained by POLITICO, drew an angry response from Democrats, who say the administration is “trampling” on Congress’ power of the purse

• Aaron Mehta, Valerie Insinna, “Dod’s Border Wall Funding Shift Hits Russia Deterrence Efforts” (Military Times, April 29, 2020).

The Pentagon is moving to scuttle nearly 19 more military construction projects ? including $274 million worth in Europe to deter Russia ? as a means to backfill a number of building projects at home that were deferred to pay for President Donald Trump’s border wall

• Laiken Jordahl, “New Drone Footage Shows Damage From Trump’s Wall in Remote Arizona Wildlands” (Center for Biological Diversity, April 29, 2020).

New drone footage shows border-wall construction blasting through a wildlife refuge and mountain range in one of the most remote regions of the United States, along a Mexican UNESCO biosphere reserve

Venezuela

• “Familiares Denuncian Que Gerentes de Pdvsa Detenidos en la Dgcim Fueron Torturados” (Tal Cual (Venezuela), April 29, 2020).

Los familiares desmienten a Saab y aseguran que Chirinos y Torrealba «han manifestado de manera clara, firme y contundente su inocencia». Asimismo, denuncian que Alfredo Chirinos y Aryenis Torrealba han sido torturados en los calabozos de la Dirección General de Contrainteligencia Militar

• “The Hemisphere Must Embrace Active Diplomacy to Defend the Rights of Venezuelans Amid the Covid-19 Pandemic” (Several organizations, Washington Office on Latin America, April 29, 2020).

As the current stalemate drags on, it has become clear that there can be no solution to Venezuela’s political crisis unless there is improved coordination between geopolitical actors, namely Russia, China, and the United States

• “Eeuu Comienza a Hacer Planes para Reabrir su Embajada en Caracas” (EFE, Efecto Cocuyo (Venezuela), April 29, 2020).

“Le pedí a mi equipo la semana pasada, que tenga nuestros planes listos para cuando el día llegue”, dijo Pompeo en una mesa redonda con un grupo reducido de medios

• Deisy Martinez, “Onu Reconoce Incapacidad de Maduro para Resolver Crisis Humanitaria, Afirman Internacionalistas” (Efecto Cocuyo (Venezuela), April 29, 2020).

El 28 de abril, en la sesión del Consejo de Seguridad se habló de la necesidad de expandir la presencia de la ONU en Venezuela y de un mayor acceso para llegar a más personas en situación vulnerable

(Even more here)

April 28, 2020

Western Hemisphere Regional

• Eva Vergara, Maria Verza, “Virus Spreads Fear Through Latin America’s Unruly Prisons” (Associated Press, Associated Press, April 28, 2020).

Latin America’s prisons hold 1.5 million inmates, and the facilities are often quasi-ruled by prisoners themselves because of corruption, intimidation and inadequate guard staffs

• Seth Robbins, “Why Is Us Sending Navy Warships to Thwart Drug Smugglers?” (InsightCrime, April 28, 2020).

The kind of firepower now being deployed is expensive for counterdrug operations — and is not the most effective, either

• “Study Projects Significant Impact on Immigrants and Local Health Care if Ice Detention Populations Are Not Decreased” (Government Accountability Project, April 28, 2020).

The study found that 72% of individuals are expected to be infected by day 90 under the optimistic scenario, while nearly 100% of individuals are expected to be infected by day 90 under a more pessimistic scenario

• Monique O. Madan, “Ice Tells Federal Judge the Court Has No Authority Over Its Detention Practices” (The Miami Herald, April 28, 2020).

“The report’s directives as to how ICE is to exercise its detention authority exceeds this court’s jurisdiction to adjudicate cases and controversies,” ICE attorneys said

Brazil

• Marina Lopes, “Brazil’s Supreme Court Authorizes Investigation of Bolsonaro” (The Washington Post, April 28, 2020).

Brazil’s supreme court has authorized an investigation of alleged corruption and obstruction of justice by President Jair Bolsonaro after the country’s outgoing justice minister accused him of attempting to interfere with federal police probes

Colombia

• “Carta Dirigida a Carlos Ruiz Massieu Representante Especial del Secretario General Mision de Verificacion en Colombia Naciones Unidas” (Defendamos la Paz (Colombia), April 28, 2020).

Defendamos la Paz se pronuncia en contra de designios para que las reformas del Acuerdo de Paz, que el Gobierno y el partido de Gobierno fracasaron en obtener por vía legislativa, se hagan realidad por la puerta de atrás, mientras la ciudadanía permanece concentrada en la pandemia

• “Audiencia Publica para Evaluar Reanudacion de Fumigaciones Aereas Con Glifosato No Puede Ser Virtual” (DeJusticia (Colombia), April 28, 2020).

Escudándose en la pandemia por el COVID-19, la ANLA propone que esta audiencia se haga por Facebook Live, Youtube y radios. Porque es inequitativo, inconstitucional y con efectos nefastos, pedimos que se suspenda este trámite

• “Sobre el Cumplimiento del Cese” (ELN (Colombia), April 28, 2020).

El Ejército de Liberación Nacional informa que el Cese el Fuego Unilateral…

• “Pese a Llamado de la Onu, Eln No Prolongara Cese al Fuego Unilateral” (El Espectador (Colombia), April 28, 2020).

A través de un comunicado, esa guerrilla anunció que el próximo jueves 30 de abril finalizará el cese al fuego unilateral que había decretado el pasado 29 de marzo

• “Defensoria Alerta por “Arremetida Violenta” en Medio de la Pandemia” (El Espectador (Colombia), April 28, 2020).

Preocupación en Cauca; el Pacífico nariñense; la zona del bajo Putumayo; el occidente de Antioquia y el Atrato chocoano

• Mariana Otoya, Mariana Valderrama, “Los Municipios Que Enfrentan el Virus y Luchan Contra la Violencia” (Instituto para las Transiciones Integrales, El Tiempo (Colombia), April 28, 2020).

Por causa del coronavirus, las regiones más apartadas del país y donde históricamente menos ha llegado el Estado pueden verse golpeadas simultáneamente en términos de salud, economía, seguridad alimentaria y sobre todo, en su esfuerzo de los últimos años por superar el conflicto armado

Colombia, Venezuela

• John Otis, “Thousands of Migrants Head Back to Venezuela to Flee Colombia’s Covid-19 Lockdown” (NPR, KCRW, April 28, 2020).

Things have gotten so bad that half of all Venezuelan migrants in Colombia face malnutrition or starvation, according to a new report from the World Food Program

• Ricardo Monsalve Gaviria, “Una Guerra Silenciosa Padecen Colombia y Venezuela en Frontera” (El Colombiano (Medellin Colombia), April 28, 2020).

Contrabando, narcotráfico, trata de personas y confrontaciones entre grupos armados ilegales y autoridades venezolanas o colombianas es el pan diario en la frontera colombo-venezolana

El Salvador

• Wilfredo Pineda, “El Salvador Lines Up Semi-Naked Gang Members for Grim Prison Photos” (Reuters, April 28, 2020).

Right groups condemned El Salvador’s president on Monday for releasing startling photos of hundreds of jailed gang members stripped to underwear and pressed together in formation

• Jacobo Garcia, Carlos Salinas, “Bukele Autoriza a la Polica­a a Matar Pandilleros en el Salvador Tras un Sangriento Fin de Semana” (El Pais (Spain), April 28, 2020).

El presidente de El Salvador decreta el estado de emergencia máxima en las cárceles tras el número de homicidios, al menos 40 en las últimas 72 horas, de los que se acusa a las maras

Guatemala

• Jeff Abbott, “Unwelcomed in Us – and at Home: Deported Guatemalans Face Threats” (Al Jazeera, April 28, 2020).

At least 100 migrants deported from the US have tested positive for the novel coronavirus, according to Guatemalan officials. For many, the stigma they faced by some in the US has now followed them back to their homes in Guatemala

Mexico

• “Despite Pandemic Restrictions, People Fleeing Violence and Persecution Continue to Seek Asylum in Mexico” (UN High Commissioner for Refugees, April 28, 2020).

Even though border restrictions in Central America have meant a 90 per cent drop in average weekly asylum claims in Mexico in April, hundreds of people continue to apply for refugee status in the country

• Vanda Felbab-Brown, “Mexican Cartels Are Providing Covid-19 Assistance. Why That’s Not Surprising.” (The Brookings Institution, April 28, 2020).

The fact criminal groups do not necessarily seek to topple a government or have an ideology does not mean that they do not seek to build influence with populations and governments

• Juan Jesus Garza Onofre, Sergio Lopez Ayllon, Issa Luna Pla, Javier Martin Reyes, Pedro Salazar Ugarte, “Gobernar por Discurso” (El Universal (Mexico), April 28, 2020).

Más cerca de Santa Anna que de Juárez, el presidente quiere gobernar por decreto

• Gustavo de la Rosa, “Parte de Guerra Desde Ciudad Juarez” (Despacho Obrero y Derechos Humanos, SinEmbargo (Mexico), April 28, 2020).

En este estado y en esta ciudad, incapaces de proteger a sus ciudadanos, cada quien hace lo que le viene en gana, sólo necesita la suficiente fuerza política, económica o colectiva para evitar las consecuencias jurídicas

Nicaragua

• Lucia Navas, “Presupuestos del Ejercito y la Policia Orteguista Desmienten Que Prioridad del Regimen Sea la Salud” (La Prensa (Nicaragua), April 28, 2020).

El presupuesto para Defensa Nacional y el aparato represor del régimen como es la PO es 326 por ciento más que lo destinado a la compra de medicamentos para los hospitales y centros de Salud pública

U.S.-Mexico Border

• “Trump Administration Ducks and Dodges to Justify Wall Spending” (Politico, April 28, 2020).

Federal judges are being told so little in court proceedings that it’s hard for them to “follow the money.”

• Ryan Browne, “Pentagon Weighs Replacing Active Duty Troops on Us-Mexico Border With National Guard” (CNN, April 28, 2020).

The change could take place in September, according to one of the officials

• Mallory Falk, “Asylum Seekers in Mexico Worry About Waiting Longer in Dangerous Conditions Due to Covid-19” (KERA News, April 28, 2020).

In the past, if migrants experienced violence and persecution while waiting, they could try to get removed from the program by requesting something called a non-refoulement interview. COVID-19 has complicated the process

• Linda Chavez, Scott Roehm, “Trump’s Coronavirus Order Scapegoats Immigrants and Doesn’t Make Us Safer” (Center for Victims of Torture, Becoming American Initiative, USA Today, April 28, 2020).

Why are we turning away refugees, asylum seekers and other immigrants rather than adopting sensible measures recommended by experienced public health experts

Venezuela

• Sergio Silva Numa, “Cifras de Presos Politicos en Venezuela Son Similares a las de Febrero” (Tal Cual (Venezuela), April 28, 2020).

La lista actualizada reporta 347 ciudadanos detenidos por delitos de conciencia

• Kejal Vyas, “Venezuela Appoints Alleged Drug Trafficker as Oil Minister” (The Wall Street Journal, April 28, 2020).

Mr. El Aissami, who is also vice president for the economy and industry minister, has denied the charges

(Even more here)

April 27, 2020

Brazil

• Tom Phillips, “Bolsonaro in Fresh Crisis Over Son’s Alleged Links to Fake News Racket” (The Guardian, April 27, 2020).

Federal police investigators have identified his son as one of the alleged key members of a “criminal fake news racket” engaged in threatening and defaming Brazilian authorities

• Ernesto Londono, Leticia Casado, Manuela Andreoni, “‘a Perfect Storm’ in Brazil as Troubles Multiply for Bolsonaro” (The New York Times, April 27, 2020).

It remains unclear what the recent developments will mean for his support base, which includes evangelical Christians and a stable of military leaders he appointed to top jobs

Colombia

• “5.524 Ninos y Ninas Han Sido Desvinculados de Grupos Armados” (El Tiempo (Colombia), April 27, 2020).

Según las cifras del Ministerio de Defensa, que van desde el 7 de agosto de 2002 hasta hoy, se han desvinculado de los grupos armados 4.695 adolescentes entre los 15 y 17 años, 817 que estaban entre los 11 y los 14 años y 12 niños que tenían entre 7 y 10 años

• Julie Turkewitz, “A One-Time Rebel of Colombia’s War Seeks Her Place in Peacetime” (The New York Times, April 27, 2020).

María Alexandra Marín says she joined the leftist FARC guerrillas at age 15 to escape machismo. Adjusting to civilian life has not been easy

• “Asi Va el Acuerdo de Paz: ¿se Ha Sentido el Silencio de los Fusiles Con las Farc?” (El Espectador (Colombia), April 27, 2020).

La comisión creada para la seguridad no arranca con vigor

• Santiago Torrado, ““la Implementacion de los Acuerdos de Paz Es Muy Ambiciosa, Muy Dificil, y Hay Que Insistir”” (El Pais (Spain), April 27, 2020).

“Uno no puede decir que la paz no llegó a ninguna parte del país, pero no llegó a estos territorios muy lejanos, pobres, donde hay ausencia del Estado y una situación muy difícil. Esto es lo que queda por hacer”

• Gwen Burnyeat, Andrei Gomez-Suarez, “Covid-19: A Window of Opportunity for Negotiations With the Eln?” (Rodeemos el Dialogo, April 27, 2020).

Peace is not a linear process. Even if these two unilateral gestures do not immediately bring the parties to a negotiation table, they give oxygen to pro-peace elements

• “Christoph Harnisch, el Suizo Que Le Aposto a la Paz en Colombia” (El Tiempo (Colombia), April 27, 2020).

El jefe de la delegación del CICR deja sus labores en el país, y un legado en el trabajo por la paz

• “Suspenden Cuatro Directores de Cenac por Irregularidades en Contratos del Ejercito” (Colprensa, El Colombiano (Medellin Colombia), April 27, 2020).

Las investigaciones iniciaron desde el pasado 14 de abril, cuando se conoció la primera denuncia de presuntos sobrecostos en contratos relacionados con elementos de protección para los uniformados

• Armando Novoa Garcia, “El Estado de Emergencia y los Derechos Humanos” (Razon Publica (Colombia), April 27, 2020).

¿Se ha excedido el Gobierno? Aún en medio de la crisis, necesitamos preservar el Estado de Derecho y el régimen democrático

El Salvador

• “El Salvador Gangs ‘Taking Advantage of Pandemic’” (BBC (UK), April 27, 2020).

Police said that 24 murders had been reported on Friday, making it the deadliest day since President Bukele came to power in June 2019

Mexico

• Alma Munoz, Roberto Garduno, “La Jornada: Mas de 161 Mil Efectivos para Proteger el Estado de Derecho: Sedena” (La Jornada (Mexico), April 27, 2020).

La fuerza armada regular para combatir a la delincuencia organizada en territorio nacional asciende a 321 mil 636 elementos, expuso el general secretario de Defensa Nacional Luis Cresencio Sandoval

Central America Regional, Mexico

• Alberto Pradilla, “Inm Vacia las Estaciones Migratorias por Covid-19: Deportan a 3 Mil 653” (Animal Politico (Mexico), April 27, 2020).

Lo que no aclara el boletín es cuántos de los centroamericanos deportados habían sido previamente entregados por Estados Unidos

Guatemala, Mexico, U.S.-Mexico Border

• Lorena Arroyo, “El Coronavirus Anade un Nuevo Estigma a los Deportados” (El Pais (Spain), April 27, 2020).

A los migrantes que siguen llegando en autobús desde México, el Gobierno les hace chequeos médicos en los centros de retornados y, si no presentan síntomas de la enfermedad, les envían de regreso a sus comunidades

Mexico

• “Nuevo Ixcatlan, el Pueblo de Vereacruz Que Desde Hace Anos Vive Aterrorizado por las Desapariciones” (SinEmbargo (Mexico), April 27, 2020).

En el pueblito estiman que podrían ser más de 30 los desaparecidos durante los últimos 3 años

U.S.-Mexico Border

• Nicole Narea, “The Us Has Abandoned Asylum Seekers in Mexico During the Coronavirus Pandemic” (Vox, April 27, 2020).

Migrants are still afraid that the pandemic will rip through the camp and that they won’t have the medical resources to endure it

Venezuela

• Sofia Nederr, “Milicia Paso de Tres a Cuatro Millones en Cuatro Meses y Avanza en Control Territorial” (Tal Cual (Venezuela), April 27, 2020).

El número de milicianos no es auditable. Al mismo tiempo, da la idea de una fuerza de complemento convertida, en enero de 2020, en el componente de la Fuerza Armada Nacional (FAN) que supera al total de la organización castrense

• Sofia Nederr, “Fuerza Armada Fiscaliza Comercios Tras Orden de Maduro para el Control de Precios” (Tal Cual (Venezuela), April 27, 2020).

La Región Estratégica de Defensa Integral (REDI) Capital ordenó desplegar unidades de restitución de orden público en las áreas comerciales para evitar acciones desestabilizadoras que generen saqueos

• Barbara Boland, “Is Trump Using the U.S. Military for Regime Change in Venezuela?” (The American Conservative, April 27, 2020).

An examination of the timeline reveals the last month of U.S. policy towards Venezuela has been nothing if not chaotic