(Even more here)

October 19, 2018

Western Hemisphere Regional

• Ryan Devereaux, “New Documents Bolster Case That Border Patrol Retaliated Against Humanitarian Group” (The Intercept, October 19, 2018).
  

  From the beginning, this timeline of events — the release of the No More Deaths report followed by the arrest of one of its longtime volunteers — has raised questions

• David Nakamura, John Wagner, Joshua Partlow, “Trump Threatens Drastic Action on Immigration in Bid to Energize Gop Voters” (The Washington Post, October 19, 2018).
  

  “The border is a big issue for Republican base voters who are already energized after Kavanaugh”

• Miriam Jordan, “A New Surge at the Border Is Forcing Migrant Families Into Motel Rooms” (The New York Times, October 19, 2018).
  

  Last week, Catholic Community Services accommodated about 200 migrants at a motel in Yuma, Ariz., for several days before they were able to travel onward

Brazil

• Manuela Andreoni, “Brazil’s Bitter Presidential Race Leads to Scores of Assaults” (The New York Times, October 19, 2018).
  

  In this climate, aggressive talk by politicians like Mr. Bolsonaro can legitimize the acts of those predisposed to act violently

• “Brazil Front-Runner Accused of Illegal Campaign Practices” (Associated Press, The New York Times, October 19, 2018).
  

  Businessmen linked to Congressman Jair Bolsonaro allegedly bankrolled the spread of fake news on the WhatsApp messaging service to benefit his candidacy

Central America Regional, Mexico

• Misael Zavala, “Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador Promete Visa de Trabajo a Centroamericanos” (El Universal (Mexico), October 19, 2018).
  

  “Nosotros, a partir del 1 de diciembre, vamos a dar trabajo, empleo a centroamericanos; es un plan que tenemos, que el que quiera trabajar en México va a tener una visa de trabajo”

Colombia

• “Proyecto Contra la Verdad Inicio su Tramite” (El Espectador (Colombia), October 19, 2018).
  

  Un representante a la Cámara por el Centro Democrático radicó una iniciativa que busca evitar que la JEP, la Comisión de la Verdad y la Unidad de Búsqueda de Personas Desaparecidas puedan acceder a información militar de carácter reservado

• Erika Pineros, “The Women Abandoned by Peace” (Foreign Policy, October 19, 2018).
  

  Victims of sexual violence and forced abortion during Colombia’s long years of conflict have yet to see justice

Guatemala

• Jo-Marie Burt, “Bittersweet Justice in Guatemala” (The Progressive, October 19, 2018).
  

  A Guatemalan court found that the army committed genocide against the Maya Ixil, but at the same time acquitted the chief of military intelligence of wrongdoing

Guatemala, Honduras

• Kirk Semple, “What Is the Migrant Caravan and Why Does Trump Care?” (The New York Times, October 19, 2018).
  

  Here are answers to some questions about the migrant caravan that has upset Mr. Trump this week and inflamed political concerns throughout the region

Guatemala, Mexico

• Claudia Torrens, Sonia Perez D., “Mexico Comienza a Atender a Migrantes de Caravana” (Associated Press **, October 19, 2018).
  

  Aunque el grueso de la caravana todavía estaba en territorio guatemalteco el jueves por la noche, la cancillería mexicana anunció en un comunicado que ya inició una atención “ordenada” a quienes habían cruzado

Honduras

• Sandra Cuffe, “Honduran Activists Welcome Trump’s Threats to Cut Us Aid” (Al Jazzeera, October 19, 2018).
  

  Many human rights activists in Honduras and in the US have expressed concern over the way the Hernandez government has addressed insecurity. They’ve advocated for years for initiatives that would cut, freeze, or condition US security aid

Mexico

• Jay Root, “Migrants Seeking Safe Harbor in the U.S. Must First Survive Shootouts and Shakedowns in Mexico” (The Texas Tribune, October 19, 2018).
  

  They flee the frying pan of violence and extortion in their home countries only to land in the fire that is Mexico

Nicaragua

• “Authorities Stepped Up Strategy for Repression in Nicaragua” (Amnesty International, October 19, 2018).
  

  Instilling terror: From lethal force to persecution in Nicaragua documents grave human rights violations and crimes under international law that the Nicaraguan authorities committed between 30 May and 18 September

Venezuela

• David Smilde, Geoff Ramsey, “Pressure and Engagement: Tools for a Constructive Approach to the Venezuela Crisis” (Washington Office on Latin America, October 19, 2018).
  

  In this post we look at a range of different pressure and engagement options being used or considered by international actors, and assess their implementation and effectiveness

• Roberta Rampton, “U.S. Eyes More Venezuelan Sanctions, but Oil on Backburner: U.S. Official” (**, October 19, 2018).
  

  “The fact is that the greatest sanction on Venezuelan oil and oil production is called Nicolas Maduro, and PDVSA’s inefficiencies,” the official said