(Even more here)

May 17, 2018

Central America Regional, Mexico

• “Editorial: The Cruelty of Breaking Up Immigrant Families” (The New York Times, May 17, 2018).

Even supporters of tougher enforcement should tell the White House that it is going too far. It can enforce immigration laws without such draconian measures and protect children

Colombia

• “Editorial: Verdades Pendientes” (El Espectador (Colombia), May 17, 2018).

Poco a poco los detalles sobre estas operaciones se han ido conociendo, y cuanto más se sabe más se profundiza el dolor al pensar cómo se pudo permitir que algo así ocurriera

Guatemala

• Nina Lakhani, “Corrupt Guatemalan Officials Find Help From an Unlikely Source: Marco Rubio” (The Guardian (Uk), May 17, 2018).

The Florida senator has suspended US funding for a United Nations commission that has had dramatic success in tackling corruption in the Central American country

• Peter Orsi, Sonia Perez D., “Guatemala Embassy Move Seen as Domestic Win, Pleasing Us” (The Washington Post, May 17, 2018).

It is considered an easy domestic victory for Guatemalan President Jimmy Morales, whose government is beset by economic problems, gang violence and corruption allegations

Honduras

• Sandra Cuffe, “Us-Trained Special Forces Joined Police Crackdown on Dam Protesters in Honduras” (Truthout, May 17, 2018).

The recent crackdown in Pajuiles to impose a fiercely contested hydroelectric dam project is just one of the latest incidents, but it provides a clear example of the involvement of US-trained and -supported special forces in repression

Mexico

• Derek Benner, “Statement of Derek Benner Deputy Executive Associate Director Homeland Security Investigations U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Department of Homeland Security Regarding a Hearing on the Role of Dhs in Stopping the Flow of Opioids & Other Dangerou” (Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security, May 17, 2018).

Because of Mexico’s dominant role as either a source or transit point for illicit drugs destined for the U.S., it has also become a primary destination for the illicit proceeds that the cartels earn

• Todd C. Owen, “Testimony of Todd C. Owen Executive Assistant Commissioner Office of Field Operations U.S. Customs and Border Protection Department of Homeland Security for a Hearing Before United States Senate Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Securit” (U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security, May 17, 2018).

Approximately 1,218lbs. of illicit fentanyl have already been seized in FY 2018

Nicaragua

• Carlos Salinas, “Daniel Ortega se Aferra a la Violencia para Mantener el Poder en Nicaragua” (El Pais (Spain), May 17, 2018).

Ortega dejó el martes la sede del Seminario de Nuestra Señora de Fátima de Managua, donde se inauguró el diálogo, con una lista de asesinados por la represión leída en su cara, el descontento de los empresarios y una exigencia directa de la Iglesia de parar la violencia

Venezuela

• Venezuela Investigative Unit, “Drug Trafficking Within the Venezuelan Regime: The ‘Cartel of the Suns’” (InsightCrime, May 17, 2018).

The Cartel of the Suns today is a disparate network of traffickers, including both state and non-state actors, but all operating with the blessing and protection of senior figures in the Venezuelan government

• Stephen Kaplan, “Will Sunday’s Elections Bring Economic Relief and Reform to Venezuela?” (The Washington Post, May 17, 2018).

Sooner rather than later, Venezuela’s government will face the reality that only austere economics — not spendthrift politics — can end hyperinflation

• Geoff Ramsey, “How Venezuela Got Here and What’s Next: Q&A on the May 20 Election” (Washington Office on Latin America, May 17, 2018).

The process has been stacked against the opposition from the start

• Ana Vanessa Herrero, Nicholas Casey, “Critics Say He Can’t Beat a Dictator. This Venezuelan Thinks He Can.” (The New York Times, May 17, 2018).

Mr. Falcón likes to argue that he is best positioned to lead the divided country because he came from the very party he aims to defeat

• Kejal Vyas, Ryan Dube, “Lawyers Publicize Venezuelan Prison Riot” (The Wall Street Journal, May 17, 2018).

American Joshua Holt and several Venezuelan political dissidents made a desperate plea for help as inmates took control of a part of the Helicoide prison in Caracas

Western Hemisphere Regional

• Amy Erica Smith, Lindsay Mayka, “Could Corruption Investigations Undermine Democracy in Latin America?” (Vox, May 17, 2018).

Even more threatening to the rule of law, though, has been selective prosecution — often unintentional on the part of anti-corruption crusaders

• Mark Joseph Stern, “To Deport a Dreamer, Ice Claimed He Was “Gang-Affiliated.” a Federal Judge Ruled That Ice Was Lying.” (Slate, May 17, 2018).

The judge did not simply rule against ICE. He accused the agency of lying to a court of law

• Dara Lind, “Trump on Deported Immigrants: “They’re Not People. They’re Animals.”” (Vox, May 17, 2018).

Whether President Trump was referring to MS-13 gang members or all deportees is unclear. But he didn’t exactly hasten to clarify