(Photo Credit/ Anonymous) 

Dear John,

Today, I write to you with a heavy heart and deep indignation over the second sentence handed down against Guatemalan lawyer and former prosecutor, Virginia Laparra, who Amnesty International recognizes as a prisoner of conscience. This case is of special significance to us at WOLA. Our president, Carolina Jiménez, and I have closely followed the process and the injustices Virginia has endured. Carolina visited Virginia in jail last year as a gesture of solidarity and support, and I had the honor of being present at the emotional moment of her release in early January. 

The recent conviction for the alleged crime of disclosing information is a continuation of the systematic criminalization faced by many human rights defenders and anti-corruption champions. We have consistently denounced unjust political prosecutions, including the case of journalist José Rubén Zamora. We joined international organizations in expressing deep concern over this new sentence. We demand truth, justice, and the restoration of Virginia's good name.

Continuing on Guatemala, WOLA co-hosted an event with USIP, featuring a conversation with the First Lady of Guatemala, Lucrecia Peinado. You can watch the event here. 

In solidarity and hope,

Ana María Méndez Dardón

Director for Central America

For human rights activists across Latin America right now, the stakes are high. Violence around elections is on the rise, as are threats against those who speak in favor of justice and accountability.

Your support of WOLA creates space to amplify the voices of those who put their life on the line to champion human rights; from Caracas, to San Salvador, and everywhere in between.

WOLA's Director for the Andes, Gimena Sánchez-Garzoli, attends the inauguration of Kusikawsay at the UN's NYC headquarters, a monument crafted from melted weapons of the demobilized FARC guerrilla. Read more here. 

"We do not know how many migrants might be subject to this new program or of what nationalities. Without a massive investment of funds and the development of the necessary infrastructure, it is difficult to imagine a significant impact of the agreement. Governments hope that the threat of deportation will serve as a disincentive for many migrants. History shows the opposite: policies focused on deterrence do not have a lasting impact on migration flows, but they do have an impact on the safety and well-being of migrants." This article is in Spanish.

Maureen Meyer

Vice President for Programs

– Deutsche Welle, Deportaciones en el Darién: "muy difícil de implementar"

"Even the equivalent of one plane per day (100-150 people) would mean that between 85% and 90% of immigrants would avoid deportation and could continue their journey. And the chance of 'one plane per day' happening is super-slim. These flights are expensive... I wouldn't expect there to be enough funds to run more than two or three flights per week at the most."

Adam Isacson

Director for Defense Oversight

– Reuters, Panama deportations unlikely to be enough to curb Darien crossings

"Migration is the campaign issue in the November presidential election. The United States wants Latin American countries to stop the flow of migrants coming to its border." This article is in Spanish.

Gimena Sánchez-Garzoli

Director for the Andes

– La Silla Vacía, MULINO, TRUMP Y MADURO: LA TRÍADA QUE AMENAZA CON UN PICO DE MIGRANTES A COLOMBIA

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