RSS - PostsAugust 8, 2018
Western Hemisphere Regional
- Nick Miroff, “Amid Migrants’ Complaints of Frigid Holding Cells, a Battle for Control of Border Thermostats” (The Washington Post, August 8, 2018).
The stories of trembling detainees and harsh conditions prompted U.S. District Court Judge Dolly M. Gee, who oversees compliance with Flores, to order the appointment of a “special master” who will conduct independent oversight of detention facilities
- Ron Nixon, “Immigration Arrests Drop at Mexican Border for Second Straight Month” (The New York Times, August 8, 2018).
The official agreed with advocates and experts that the numbers also reflect seasonal flows of border crossings; individuals are more likely to travel in milder weather
- Molly Hennessy-Fiske, “Homeland Security Officials Seeing Decrease in Legal Attempts to Cross U.S.-Mexico Border” (The Los Angeles Times, August 8, 2018).
As the proportion of families attempting to cross illegally increased during “zero tolerance,” the number attempting to legally claim asylum at border bridges decreased
Brazil, Panama, Western Hemisphere Regional
- Andrea Barretto, “Brazilian Navy Commands Multinational Task Force in Panamax 2018” (Revista Dialogo (U.S. Southern Command), August 8, 2018).
The mock situation is part of PANAMAX 2018, a multinational exercise with the participation of 20 nations and three as observers, held July 30th-August 10th
Colombia
- Juan Carlos Garzon Vergara, Juan David Gelvez F., ““¿Quie?Nes Son las Familias Que Viven en las Zonas Con Cultivos de Coca?”” (Fundacion Ideas por la Paz (Colombia), August 8, 2018).
El ingreso promedio mensual neto por hectárea de un cultivador de coca es $410.541, lo que equivale al 56% de un salario mínimo.
- “Ee. Uu. Expreso Respaldo Total al Nuevo Gobierno de Ivan Duque” (El Tiempo (Colombia), August 8, 2018).
“Hablamos de las opciones de fumigación, de erradicación y de sustitución”, dijo Nikki Haley
- Yolima Dussan, “Colombia: A Global Nato Partner” (Revista Dialogo (U.S. Southern Command), August 8, 2018).
Colombian Army General Alberto José Mejía Ferrero, commander of the Military Forces of Colombia, led the design of the Damascus doctrine, on par with the need for more modern and competitive forces
- Omaira Bolanos, “President Ivan Duque, Protect Social Activists” (The New York Times, August 8, 2018).
Neither leader has called this for what it is: the systematic killings of political activists. Without an accurate diagnosis of the problem, we will remain paralyzed in bloodshed
- “Presidente Duque, Estas Son las 10 Deudas del Estado Con las Victimas” (El Espectador (Colombia), August 8, 2018).
Las metas que se plantearon con la expedición de la ley 1448 en 2011 aun no se han cumplido y, según las proyecciones, en junio de 2021, cuando expira dicha norma, tampoco se podrán cumplir
- “Asi se Vivieron la Posesion de Ivan Duque y las Marchas de Oposicion” (La Silla Vacia (Colombia), August 8, 2018).
Mientras Macías dijo que estamos en un “socavón”, Duque dijo que había que “mirar la nación con optimismo”
- Juanita León, “Ivan Duque Inaugura su Uribismo 2.0” (La Silla Vacia (Colombia), August 8, 2018).
El discurso del nuevo presidente terminó con una invitación a todos los colombianos a hacer un Pacto por el futuro de Colombia. Y la pregunta del millón, es cómo se hará ese pacto y con quiénes y si eso incluye a Macías y a los que piensan como él
Colombia, Venezuela
- Ben Gittleson, “Haley Visits Venezuela Border, Announces $9 Million in Humanitarian Aid” (ABC News, August 8, 2018).
The U.S. has pledged more than $46 million in humanitarian aid in response to the crisis, USAID said
Colombia, Western Hemisphere Regional
- Jim Garamone, “Navy Chief Seeks to Strengthen U.S. Alliances in Latin America” (Revista Dialogo (U.S. Southern Command), August 8, 2018).
U.S. Navy Admiral John M. Richardson, Chief of Naval Operations, reached out to allies in South and Central America at the 28th Inter-American Naval Conference from 23-27 July in Cartagena, Colombia
Ecuador
- Erika Guevara-Rosas, “Ecuador’s Indigenous Activists Are Under Attack. Will the Government Protect Them?” (Amnesty International, Americas Quarterly, August 8, 2018).
Indigenous human rights activists say the government has failed to investigate the attacks and threats against them in the first half of 2018
Mexico
- Ari Shapiro, “Photos: What It’s Like on Both Sides of the U.S.-Mexico Border’s Busiest Crossing” (National Public Radio, August 8, 2018).
NPR recently spent time on both sides of the border, where immigration is part of everyday life
- Marcela Turati, “Jornada Sangrienta Recibe a Amlo en Ciudad Juarez” (Proceso (Mexico), August 8, 2018).
En lo que va de agosto se han registrado 45 asesinatos
Venezuela
- Brian Ellsworth, Carlos Vargas, “Ex-City Police Chief Claims Role in Venezuela Drone Attack” (Reuters **, August 8, 2018).
Salvatore Lucchese, a Venezuelan activist who was previously imprisoned for his role in past protests, told Reuters he orchestrated the attack with a loose association of anti-Maduro militants
- Scott Smith, “Venezuela Ruling Party Cracks Down on Opposition Lawmakers” (Associated Press, The Washington Post, August 8, 2018).
In addition to seeking the arrest of Julio Borges, the court also called for the prosecution of another opposition lawmaker, Juan Requesens, who police detained a day earlier