(Even more here)

May 27, 2022

Western Hemisphere Regional

• Lizabelt Avila, Maureen Meyer, “Beyond the U.S.-Mexico Border: Migration Trends in the Americas, Explained” (Washington Office on Latin America, May 27, 2022).

WOLA examines below recent trends in human mobility and the challenges migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers face beyond the Mexico-U.S. border

Brazil

• “Brazilian Man Allegedly Gassed to Death in Police Car Boot” (BBC (UK), May 27, 2022).

The death of a black man who was forced into a police car boot where a gas grenade was set off has sparked outrage in Brazil

Colombia

• “Candidatos Presidenciales de Colombia Reiniciarian Negociaciones Con Guerrilla del Eln” (Agence France Presse, El Universo (Ecuador), May 27, 2022).

Gutiérrez cuestiona a sus rivales: “Es muy fácil para un diplomático, en una embajada tomando whisky en un sofá, con aire acondicionado, hablar de que se cumpla lo que está en el papel”

• “El Fugado Narcotraficante “Matamba” Murio en Operacion de la Fuerza Publica” (El Espectador (Colombia), May 27, 2022).

Juan Larinson Castro se había fugado de la cárcel La Picota en marzo pasado y había versiones que especulaban que había sido desaparecido al interior del penal. En ese entonces, estaba por declarar sobre sus nexos con altos oficiales de la Fuerza Pública

• Manuel Rueda, “Ex-Rebel Frontrunner in Colombian Vote, Could Shake Us Ties” (Associated Press, Associated Press, May 27, 2022).

The latest opinion polls suggest Petro could get 40% of the votes, with a 15-point lead over his closest rival

• “Aun No Es Tarde: Ideas y Acciones Minimas para Garantizar la Seguridad en Colombia” (Fundacion Ideas por la Paz (Colombia), May 27, 2022).

Recuperar la protección de los ciudadanos deber ser la prioridad en seguridad del nuevo Gobierno. La FIP presenta 13 ideas que buscan mejorar las condiciones de seguridad, su gobernabilidad y construir un entorno institucional con un cambio de enfoque

• Chris Dalby, Javier Villalba, “The Fall of Gentil Duarte – What Does It Mean for Colombia?” (InsightCrime, May 27, 2022).

Iván Mordisco may have the leadership and respect needed to keep the Joint Eastern Command united. But the threat of fragmentation remains ever present

• “Senators Menendez, Blunt, Kaine, Wicker, Cardin, Moran Introduce the United States-Colombia Bicentennial Alliance Act | United States Senate Committee on Foreign Relations” (U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, May 27, 2022).

Initially introduced by Senators Menendez and Kaine in March of 2022 as the United States-Colombia Strategic Alliance Act

Cuba, Nicaragua, Venezuela

• “Meeks, Mcgovern, Lee Lead Letter to President Biden Expressing Concern About Summit of the Americas Decision” (U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs, May 27, 2022).

While we may not support many of the actions taken by the governments of Cuba, Nicaragua, and Venezuela, we believe that a policy of engagement will yield more fruitful results than a continued policy of isolation

Guatemala

• Mirte Postema, “As Guatemala’s Government Chooses Corruption, U.S. Should Respond More Forcefully” (Seattle International Foundation, Univision, May 27, 2022).

Between 2019 and May 2022, at least 22 prosecutors, judges, and human rights defenders have been forced into exile—many of them in the United States. Guatemalan authorities have also detained at least seven anti-corruption prosecutors

Mexico

• “Crime in Pieces: The Effects of Mexico’s “War on Drugs”, Explained” (International Crisis Group, May 27, 2022).

A sustained state effort to reduce violence and crime in Mexico should not and need not rely on methods that end up raising murder rates and multiplying criminal groups

U.S.-Mexico Border

• Keegan Hamilton, “Border Patrol Killed the Texas Shooter. But What Took So Long?” (VICE, May 27, 2022).

Members of a Border Patrol special ops team killed the gunman, according to the agency, but their actions—and their complicated presence in the community—are under scrutiny

• Kate Morrissey, “Border Officials Begin Screening Asylum-Seeking Families for Fear of Persecution Prior to Expulsion” (The San Diego Union-Tribune, May 27, 2022).

Border officials this week began referring some asylum-seeking families caught crossing the border for special screenings to see if they are likely to be harmed in the countries where they would otherwise be expelled

• Eileen Sullivan, “U.S. to Begin Allowing Migrants to Apply for Asylum Under a New System” (The New York Times, May 27, 2022).

The rollout of the process for some arrivals at the southwestern border will be small, but could represent the tip of broad changes to the asylum system

Venezuela

• “Ong Advierten Que Tribunales Militares Deniegan Justicia y Privilegian Sistema Inquisitivo” (Tal Cual (Venezuela), May 27, 2022).

De acuerdo con la ONG, en el país, hay 191 militares presos por razones politcas, están acusados por rebelión, traición a la patria e instigación a la rebelión