(Even more here)

March 12, 2019

Western Hemisphere Regional

• Jeff Stein, “Trump Seeks $4.7 Trillion Budget With Domestic Cuts, $8.6 Billion in Wall Funding” (The Washington Post, March 12, 2019).

The demand for $8.6 billion for a border wall, less than two months after a 35-day partial government shutdown paralyzed much of Washington, raised the possibility that there could be an even more dramatic impasse

• John J. Sullivan, Mark Green, “Briefing With Deputy Secretary of State John J. Sullivan, Usaid Administrator Mark Green, and Experts on the President’s Fiscal Year 2020 Budget Request for the U.S. Department of State and Usaid” (U.S. Department of State, March 12, 2019).

In the event the supreme court rules and allows the government to resume aerial eradication, provide resources from the United States for that program. So that’s why you see significant uptick

Brazil

• “Marielle Foi Morta por Sua ‘Atuacao Politica’, Afirma Mp Em Denuncia” (Veja (Brazil), March 12, 2019).

Os dois foram presos na madrugada desta terça-feira, 12. A denúncia formulada pelo Grupo de Atuação Especial de Combate ao Crime Organizado do MP-RJ classificou o crime como um “golpe ao Estado Democrático de Direito”

Colombia

• “Las Movilizaciones Que se Le Vienen a Duque” (El Espectador (Colombia), March 12, 2019).

Fecode, las comunidades indígenas, afros y campesinas del suroccidente del país y los cultivadores de coca en Meta, Caquetá y el sur de Córdoba anuncian protestas

• Augusta Anthony, “Drug Bust at Newark Port Seizes Ton and a Half of Cocaine Worth Estimated $77 Million” (CNN, March 12, 2019).

Authorities at the Port of New York and New Jersey have seized about 3,200 pounds of cocaine in what authorities are calling the largest cocaine seizure at the port in nearly 25 years

• “Estamos de Acuerdo: ee.uu. Respalda a Duque en Objeciones a Ley Estatutaria de Jep” (Blu Radio (Colombia), March 12, 2019).

En entrevista con BLU Radio dijo que el espaldarazo a Duque se basa en cuatro puntos fundamentales, que incluyen el tratado de extradición y el manejo del listado de miembros de las extintas Farc para evitar colados

• “El Sistema de Naciones Unidas y la Mision de Verificacion en Colombia Reiteran la Importancia del Libre Funcionamiento de la Jurisdiccion Especial para la Paz Como el Principal Instrumento de Garantia del Derecho a la Justicia de las Victimas” (Mision de la ONU en Colombia, March 12, 2019).

Lamentamos que, a más de dos años de la firma del Acuerdo Final, la JEP aún no cuente con una Ley Estatutaria, marco jurídico sólido que garantice su operación en pleno ejercicio de autonomía e independencia

• , Many Signers, “Carta al Secretario General de la Onu” (La Linea del Medio (Colombia), March 12, 2019).

El gobierno del presidente Iván Duque Márquez persiste en formular nuevos obstáculos, o en intentar revivir debates ya superados en el trámite legislativo de las normas que deben regular el funcionamiento del recién inaugurado sistema de justicia transicional

Guatemala

• Elisabeth Malkin, “Jailed for War Crimes, Guatemalan Military Officials May Now Get Amnesty” (The New York Times, March 12, 2019).

The amnesty has gained traction in Congress as part of a reaction against a broader fight against impunity and corruption

Mexico

• “Nueva Ministra de la Scjn de Mexico Debe Ser Idonea e Independiente” (CEJIL, Due Process of Law Foundation, Washington Office on Latin America, Washington Office on Latin America, March 12, 2019).

Las tres candidatas han sido severamente cuestionadas por la sociedad civil por su cercanía con el partido político del Presidente López Obrador

• Shannon K o’neil, “Lopez Obrador Is Dismantling Democracy in Mexico” (Council on Foreign Relations, Bloomberg, March 12, 2019).

AMLO’s calculated strategy isn’t a new Mexican playbook. It harkens back to the PRI’s heyday

Peru

• Marcos Ommati, “Peruvian Army Commander Visits Military Units in the Us” (Revista Dialogo (U.S. Southern Command), March 12, 2019).

Gen. Céliz, a WHINSEC instructor in the late ‘90s, caught up with former colleagues and conducted a lecture for the WHINSEC Command and General Staff Officer course

Cuba, Venezuela

• Michael R. Pompeo, “Remarks to the Press” (U.S. Department of State, March 12, 2019).

This story is not complete without acknowledging the central role Cuba and Russia have played and continue to play in undermining the democratic dreams of the Venezuelan people and their welfare

Venezuela

• “Lootings as Venezuela Power Cut Drags On” (BBC (UK), March 12, 2019).

Many parts of the country are still cut off and it is hard to get a full account of their situation. Even when the electricity returns, it is often patchy and only lasts for a few hours

• Patrick Oppmann, Stefano Pozzebon, Susannah Cullinane, “Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro Says Power Recovery Will Come ‘Little by Little’” (CNN, March 12, 2019).

Guaidó said the exodus of millions of Venezuelans over the last several years likely meant there were not enough engineers left to help end the blackouts

• Daniel Victor, Edward Wong, “In Setback in Venezuela, U.S. Is Withdrawing Diplomats From Its Embassy” (The New York Times, March 12, 2019).

Mr. Pompeo said the move reflected the “deteriorating situation” in the country and the belief that the presence of American diplomats “has become a constraint on U.S. policy.” The last phrase could be read as hinting at some form of military intervention