I’m back from a few days of personal travel (events for my college-bound daughter). I’ve just caught up on what’s been happening around the region and at the U.S.-Mexico border, security-wise. Here are 57 links since Monday.

(Even more here)

April 13, 2022

Western Hemisphere Regional

• Diana Roy, “China’s Growing Influence in Latin America” (Council on Foreign Relations, April 13, 2022).

Over the past two decades, China has developed close economic and security ties with many Latin American countries, including Brazil and Venezuela. But Beijing’s growing sway in the region has raised concerns in Washington and beyond

Colombia

• Joe Parkin Daniels, “Colombia Urged to Investigate Botched Army Raid That Left Four Civilians Dead” (The Guardian (Uk), April 13, 2022).

Colombian authorities are facing growing calls to investigate a botched army raid in which at least four civilians – including a 16-year old boy, a pregnant woman, and an Indigenous leader – were killed

• “Victimas y Exfarc Advierten Sobre Afirmaciones de Duque en la Onu” (El Tiempo (Colombia), April 13, 2022).

Denuncian la no participación de la sociedad civil en el Consejo de Seguridad

• “¿Como Fue el Operativo Militar en Putumayo en el Que Murieron 11 Civiles?” (El Espectador (Colombia), April 13, 2022).

Basados en los informes y testimonios recogidos por Colombia+20, Vorágine y Revista Cambio, se reconstruyó el día a día desde la incursión militar hasta el retorno de algunos pobladores

• Laura Vasquez Roa, “Lo Ocurrido en Putumayo Es Gravisimo en el Sentido Legal, Moral y Politico” (Rolling Stone Español, April 13, 2022).

Revela un problema mucho más profundo en las Fuerzas Armadas: la justificación de la ejecución de civiles para conseguir objetivos de alto valor militar

• “Cidh Pide Investigacion y Claridad Sobre 11 Muertos de Operacion en Putumayo” (Organization of American States, April 13, 2022).

El 28 de marzo el Ejército Nacional de Colombia realizó un operativo en el municipio de Puerto Leguizamo, departamento de Putumayo, en el que perdieron la vida 11 personas, y resultaron heridas, al menos, 4

• Julia Zulver, Kiran Stallone, “A Colombian Town’s Spike in Femicides Is Linked to Armed Groups” (The New Humanitarian, April 13, 2022).

In Tibú, a small town along the border with Venezuela, a rising wave of violence in Colombia’s primary coca-producing region is targeting women

• Carlos Vanegas, “Llegan a Colombia 40 Vehiculos Blindados Asv-m117 para el Ejercito Donados por Estados Unidos” (Defensa.com, April 13, 2022).

El presidente de Colombia, Iván Duque Márquez, ha anunciado la llegada de 40 vehículos blindados ASV-M1117, parte de un lote de 145 vehículos ofrecidos

Colombia, Mexico

• Luis Jaime Acosta, “Mexican Cartels Swap Arms for Cocaine, Fueling Colombia Violence” (Reuters, Reuters, April 13, 2022).

Mexican drug cartels appear to be shipping high-powered weapons to Colombia to purchase shipments of cocaine, a trade Colombian authorities say is fueling the deadly struggle between rival traffickers for control of the nation’s drug routes

El Salvador

• “Union: El Salvador Police Pressured to Meet Arrest Cuotas” (Associated Press, Associated Press, April 13, 2022).

Some National Civilian Police commanders in El Salvador have been pressuring their officers to meet daily arrest quotas as part of the government’s crackdown on street gangs that have yielded more than 10,000 arrests

Honduras

• Maria Celeste Maradiaga, “Desmilitarizacion en Carceles Comienza a Paso Lento y Sin Garantias de Detener Violencia” (Contra Corriente, April 13, 2022).

Luego de que la presidenta Xiomara Castro ordenara la desmilitarización de los centros penitenciarios en todo Honduras, la Policía Nacional tomó el mando del sistema penitenciario y tendrá 10 meses para reordenar a las autoridades de las distintas cárceles

Mexico

• Fernando Perez, “Tension, Incertidumbre y Violencia en el Eden Chiapaneco” (ODEMCA Observatorio de las Democracias, Chiapas Paralelo (Chiapas), April 13, 2022).

Detrás del fenómeno de la seguridad y la violencia se mueven intereses estatales, industriales, empresariales y de distintos agentes privados (legales e ilegales)

• Gabriela Sotomayor, “La Onu Urge a Mexico Regresar al Ejercito a los Cuarteles” (Proceso (Mexico), April 13, 2022).

“Esta es una cuestión que le corresponde al propio estado mexicano analizar y discutir, sobre todo, frente a la situación que presentamos y por la impunidad que se ha señalado”, dijo la experta del CED

Nicaragua

• “Nicaraguenses Aprenden a Nadar para Vencer el Rio Bravo y Llegar a Eeuu” (Agence France Presse, Nicaragua Investiga, April 13, 2022).

“Con este curso, si ocurre alguna tragedia ustedes podrán sobrevivir” y auxiliar a quienes lo necesiten, explica el entrenador al grupo

U.S.-Mexico Border

• Mitchell Ferman, Uriel J. Garcia, “Delays, Closures and Chaos Mount at Texas-Mexico Border Crossings From New State Inspections” (The Texas Tribune, April 13, 2022).

U.S. Customs and Border Protection called the state inspections ordered by Gov. Greg Abbott “unnecessary” and said commercial traffic at the Texas-Mexico border has dropped 60% since they began

• Elizabeth Findell, “Traffic Snarled at Texas-Mexico Border by New Security Measures, Protests” (The Wall Street Journal, April 13, 2022).

Two major international bridges were effectively shut down after Mexican truckers blocked lanes in both directions to protest a new border security initiative from Texas Gov. Greg Abbott

• “Fact Sheet: Commercial Traffic Delays Along Texas Border and the Resulting Supply Chain Disruptions” (U.S. Customs and Border Protection, April 13, 2022).

The longer than average wait times – and the subsequent supply chain disruptions – are unrelated to CBP screening activities and are due to additional and unnecessary inspections being conducted by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) at the order of the Governor of Texas

• Aaron Nelsen, J. David Goodman, Edgar Sandoval, “As Texas Snarls Traffic at Border, Mexican Truckers Form Blockade” (The New York Times, April 13, 2022).

New safety inspections are part of Gov. Greg Abbott’s effort to crack down on border smuggling. But industry groups say it is stifling trade

• Paul Ingram, “Family of Man Killed by Bp Agent Near Douglas Demands Probe, May Pursue Lawsuit” (The Tucson Sentinel (Tucson Arizona), April 13, 2022).

The Los Angeles-based law firm Karns & Karns, LLP said in a press release last week they will represent the family of 32-year-old Carmelo Cruz-Marcos, adding that his “brutal shooting” should be probed by the FBI and an outside agency

• Haley Bemiller, “Ohio Republicans Say Secure Border Will Curb Overdoses, but Drug Crisis Is Complicated” (The Columbus Dispatch, April 13, 2022).

Law enforcement and recovery specialists say Ohio’s addiction rates and overdose deaths won’t be curbed by border security alone

• “The Border Patrol Union Leads the Charge on Title 42 Misinformation” (The Border Chronicle, April 13, 2022).

With so much misinformation circulating about border and immigration policies, it doesn’t help to have Border Patrol union leaders stoking fear and white-supremacist conspiracy theories

Venezuela

• Michael Wilner, Antonio MarÍa Delgado, “Biden’s Team Is Divided Over New Talks About Oil With Maduro in Venezuela” (The Miami Herald, April 13, 2022).

An outcry from both Democrats and Republican lawmakers in Washington over a potential deal with Maduro forced the White House to put the brakes on any future talks

April 12, 2022

Chile, Mexico

• Victor Rivera, “Guardia Nacional de Mexico Inicia Trabajo Con Carabineros para Replicar Modelo Educativo” (La Tercera (Chile), April 12, 2022).

Una comitiva de la Guardia Nacional de México, compuesta por seis personas arribó la semana pasada a Santiago, con el objetivo de adentrarse en los planes formativos de Carabineros

Colombia

• “Success of Colombia Peace Process Hinges on Ending Violence: Mission Chief” (United Nations, April 12, 2022).

Colombia’s dynamic peace process – which saw fresh strides with the holding of a largely peaceful parliamentary election last month – will succeed or fail based on efforts to halt the deadly violence faced by former combatants, social leaders and human rights defenders

• Maria Alejandra Velez, “El Control Territorial No Es a Punta de Bala” (CESED – Universidad de los Andes, La Silla Vacia (Colombia), April 12, 2022).

¿Cómo retomar el control de los territorios cuando la Fuerza Pública carece de legitimidad y credibilidad? El monopolio de la fuerza en Colombia parece una utopía

• “Press Release: U.S. Civil Society Organizations Urge Secretary of State Blinken to Focus on Peace and Human Rights Issues in Colombia” (Latin America Working Group, April 12, 2022).

Guatemala

• H. Montenegro, M. Barrientos, “Crisis Migratoria: Guatemala Prepara Medidas Ante Posible Llegada de una Nueva Caravana” (Prensa Libre (Guatemala), April 12, 2022).

“Tenemos un protocolo de acción que trabajamos con EE. UU. para que en las próximas semanas se defina la ruta de acción ante el posible levantamiento del Título 42”, señaló

Mexico

• “Mexico: Prevention Must Be Central to National Policy to Stop Enforced Disappearance, un Committee Finds” (UN High Commissoner for Human Rights, April 12, 2022).

Public agents and organised crime are responsible for Mexico’s soaring numbers of enforced disappearance, the UN Committee on Enforced Disappearances said in findings published today

• Arturo Sarukhan, “Lopez Obrador’s Flirtation With Russia Risks Worsening Us-Mexican Relations” (The Brookings Institution, April 12, 2022).

While Mexico has condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine at the United Nations, President Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s refusal to impose sanctions and the establishment of a new Mexican-Russian friendship caucus in Mexico’s Congress risk relations with the United States

Peru

• Jo-Marie Burt, “La Justicia Devuelta” (Washington Office on Latin America, La Republica (Peru), April 12, 2022).

Las víctimas del fujimorismo lograron, una vez más, imponer la ley ante la insistencia del fujimorismo de actuar fuera de ella, en beneficio de su propio poder y agenda política

U.S.-Mexico Border

• Mitchell Ferman, James Barragan, Uriel J. Garcia, “International Trade Halted at Texas Border Crossings as Truckers Protest Greg Abbott’s New Inspections” (The Texas Tribune, April 12, 2022).

Commercial traffic at the Pharr-Reynosa International Bridge stopped Monday and a similar protest affected traffic into and out of El Paso. The blockades could impact the flow of produce to restaurants and grocery stores

• Camilo Montoya-Galvez, “U.S. Officials Processed 9,926 Undocumented Ukrainians in Last 2 Months, Data Show” (CBS News, April 12, 2022).

On April 6 alone, 767 Ukrainian migrants were processed by CBP

• David Dayen, “Immigration Politics Roils Pandemic Response” (The American Prospect, April 12, 2022).

Democrats in tough re-election fights have joined Republicans in warning against the end of Title 42 expulsions at the southern border

April 11, 2022

Colombia

• Valentina Parada Lugo, “Las Inconsistencias del Operativo Militar en Putumayo Que Cobro la Vida de Civiles” (El Espectador (Colombia), April 11, 2022).

Miembros de la comunidad de Alto Remanso dicen que los militares se identificaron como guerrilleros para atacar a un supuesto grupo de los Comandos de la Frontera. Un número aún indeterminado de civiles murieron en el operativo

• Jhordan C. Rodriguez, Maria Paula Lizarazo, Felipe Morales Sierra, “Artemisa: La Respuesta Militar del Gobierno a un Problema Ambiental” (El Espectador (Colombia), April 11, 2022).

Denuncias de abusos de autoridad, cifras irregulares, voces oficiales y opiniones de expertos dejan en duda el verdadero aporte de Artemisa en la protección de los ecosistemas

• ““Artemisa Es una Politica de Golpes de Opinion”: Estefania Ciro, de a la Orilla del Rio” (El Espectador (Colombia), April 11, 2022).

• Daniel Coronell, “Seis Preguntas Sobre la Matanza del Putumayo para el General Eduardo Enrique Zapateiro” (La W Radio (Colombia), April 11, 2022).

Los muertos son once, los heridos cuatro y el Ejército reporta que solamente incautaron seis armas. ¿Quince personas dispararon contra la tropa, pero solo tenían seis armas?

• Jose Guarnizo, “El Operativo del Ejercito Manchado Con Sangre de Civiles” (Voragine (Colombia), April 11, 2022).

Lo que sucedió durante la hora y media en que se extendieron los combates parece sacado de una película de terror

• “Quibdo, una Capital Sitiada por el Hampa Que Pide Paz” (El Tiempo (Colombia), April 11, 2022).

Bandas criminales están inmersas en un enfrentamiento que, según denuncias, deja 70 homicidios

• Laura Cano, “Cuatro Anos del Periodo de Ivan Duque: Un Conflicto Agudizado” (Fundación Paz y Reconciliación (Colombia), April 11, 2022).

• Jineth Bedoya Lima, “El Desgarrador Relato de Victima de Red de Explotacion Sexual de ‘Otoniel’” (El Tiempo (Colombia), April 11, 2022).

‘Una mujer queda rota no por perder su virginidad, sino su alma’: aseguró

Cuba, Nicaragua

• “Nicaragua: Del Muro de Contencion al Trampolin de los Cubanos” (Expediente Publico (Honduras), April 11, 2022).

En un día pueden llegar a Managua entre cinco y diez vuelos directos o conexiones desde diferentes partes de la Isla

El Salvador

• “Bukele vs. Maras: “los Politicos en el Salvador Les Dieron a las Pandillas un Valor Que No Tenian: La Influencia”” (BBC Mundo, Prensa Libre (Guatemala), April 11, 2022).

El salvadoreño Juan Carlos Torres, director de la Maestría en Políticas para la Prevención de Violencia Juvenil y Cultura de Paz de la Universidad Don Bosco de San Salvador, habla con BBC Mundo y analiza la evolución de las pandillas

Guatemala, Western Hemisphere Regional

• Kevin Sieff, Nick Miroff, “A Historian at Ice Hunts Latin American War Criminals in the U.S.” (The Washington Post, April 11, 2022).

For as long as immigrants fleeing conflict have arrived in the United States, fugitive war criminals have been among them, an infinitesimal percentage of those arriving at American borders, but a profound challenge

Haiti

• Tim Craig, “As Haitian Migration Routes Change, Compassion Is Tested in Florida Keys” (The Washington Post, April 11, 2022).

Since the start of the year, more than 800 Haitians have landed in the Florida Keys

Honduras

• “Corte Suprema de Honduras Da Luz Verde para Extradicion de «el Tigre» Bonilla” (Criterio (Honduras), April 11, 2022).

El juez natural José Olivio Rodríguez Vásquez determinó la extradición del exdirector de la Policía Nacional, Juan Carlos “El Tigre” Bonilla

Honduras, Mexico

• Jorge Alejandro Medellin, “Fuerzas Especiales del Ejercito Mexicano en Fuerzas Comando 2022 en Honduras” (Defensa.com, April 11, 2022).

Mexico

• Mary Beth Sheridan, “The War Next Door: Conflict in Mexico Is Displacing Thousands” (The Washington Post, April 11, 2022).

An estimated 20,000 people have fled violence in the past year in Michoacán state

• Nathan P. Jones, “Mexico’s 2021 Dark Network Alliance Structure” (Baker Institute, Rice University, April 11, 2022).

This paper maps out the network of alliances and subgroups within the two most powerful cartels in Mexico — the Sinaloa Cartel and the Cártel de Jalisco Nueva Generación — and reveals key structural differences that could have important implications for policymakers

• “Balaceras, Miedo y Dolor; Ataques Armados en Mexico” (Milenio (Mexico), April 11, 2022).

En MILENIO hicimos un recuento de las comunidades que se han visto afectadas por estos hechos que dejan una gran huella de dolor en la poblacion

• “Estados Unidos Insiste en No Viajar a Tamaulipas y Reitera “Toque de Queda Nocturno”” (Elefante Blanco (Mexico), April 11, 2022).

A días de las vacaciones de abril, el gobierno de Estados Unidos difundió la alerta de viaje por México, donde llamó a no viajar por ninguna carretera de Tamaulipas y advirtió sobre un “toque de queda nocturno”

Mexico, U.S.-Mexico Border

• Caitlin Dickson, Jana Winter, “Mexico Agrees to Establish ‘Tactical Checkpoints’ After U.S. Requests Help With Surge of Migrants” (Yahoo!, April 11, 2022).

The Biden administration faces mounting pressure from both sides of the political spectrum to stave off an even bigger surge of immigrants as it plans to lift a pandemic-era public health order at the border

Peru

• Marcelo Rochabrun, “Inter-American Court Orders Peru Not to Release Fujimori From Prison” (Reuters, Reuters, April 11, 2022).

The Inter-American Court of Human Rights (IACHR) on Friday confirmed a ruling ordering Peru not to release jailed ex-President Alberto Fujimori, who was on the verge of leaving prison last month after a presidential pardon was reinstated

• “30 Anos del Autogolpe: “el Caudillismo de Fujimori Sigue Presente en el Peru de Hoy”” (BBC Mundo, Prensa Libre (Guatemala), April 11, 2022).

El periodista Gustavo Gorriti fue secuestrado por las Fuerzas de Seguridad a las pocas horas del autogolpe

U.S.-Mexico Border

• Alfredo Corchado, Imelda Garcia, “Business Leaders Worry Abbott’s New Border Policy Will Hit Texas in the Pocketbook” (The Dallas Morning News, April 11, 2022).

In business parlance, time is money. And business leaders and trade experts are on edge

• Zolan Kanno-Youngs, Michael D. Shear, Eileen Sullivan, “Disagreement and Delay: How Infighting Over the Border Divided the White House” (The New York Times, April 11, 2022).

Facing his bickering staff in the Oval Office that day in late March 2021, Mr. Biden grew so angry at their attempts to duck responsibility that he erupted

• Gustavo Solis, “Two Months After Tijuana Shut Down Migrant Border Camp, Asylum-Seekers Worse Off” (KPBS (Los Angeles), April 11, 2022).

Known as El Chaparral, the camp was a temporary home for hundreds of migrants who had escaped deadly situations in Mexico and Central America