Photo by Sergio Ortíz Borbolla

Dear John,

As we observe the International Day of the Disappeared, we are reminded of the enduring crisis of enforced disappearances in Latin America. This tragic phenomenon has scarred many countries in the region, including Argentina, Chile, El Salvador, and Guatemala, and continues today with Mexico now at the forefront. Roughly 116,000 people are currently recognized as disappeared or missing in Mexico, a staggering number reflecting the scale of violence and human rights violations in the country. 

At WOLA, we recognize the crucial role that families and civil society organizations play in this fight. In the absence of state support, these brave individuals organize searches, push for investigations, and advocate for truth and justice. This year, we were honored to uplift through our human rights award, the extraordinary efforts of the search collectives in Guanajuato, Mexico. Their resilience and determination inspire us all (watch video). But we are deeply concerned by the rollback of policies addressing enforced disappearances in Argentina, the slow progress following Colombia’s peace agreement with families still searching for answers, the increase in forced disappearances as a result of the state of exception in El Salvador, and the alarming number of  protesters and human rights defenders who have been disappeared at the hands of Venezuelan security forces, amongst others. Equally troubling are the underreported cases of migrants who disappear across the region and the difficulties families face in finding answers about what has happened to their loved ones. 

In this regional struggle for truth and justice, we stand in unwavering solidarity with the families of the disappeared across the Americas.

Best regards,

Maureen Meyer

Vice President for Programs

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.

As we wrap up the summer semester, WOLA is deeply thankful for the incredible dedication and hard work of our interns over the past few months. Here's a video from Jessie Tucker, our Colombia and Drug Policy Intern for Summer 2024, sharing her reflections on the experience.

"The build up has probably pushed people out of some of the more easy-to-access points. You’re playing whack a mole, you’re just going to push it to other areas." 

Adam Isacson

Director for Defense Oversight

– Houston Chronicle, New border data show Texas' migrant crackdown hasn't driven down crossings more than in other states

“We don't know what the criteria are for choosing who will be deported, even though governments say they comply with international standards. In these types of group deportations, due process standards are rarely met."

This article is in Spanish.

Carolina Jiménez Sandoval

President

– Efecto Cocuyo, Vuelos de deportación desde Panamá preocupan a organizaciones que defienden derechos de migrantes

"I also believe that for Latin America, really for the whole continent, that this precedent that is being set cannot be permitted. That with great difficulty, a democratic opposition organizes itself, a citizenry goes out to vote in an election that was not even moderately competitive, that the international community accompanies that process in different ways, and then there is a self-proclamation without any kind of evidence, would leave a political precedent that I am sure no democratic leader in the region wants to see repeated elsewhere."

This interview is in Spanish. 

Carolina Jiménez Sandoval

President

– CNN en Español, Denuncian mayor represión después de elecciones en Venezuela

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