Photo by Texas Military Department

Dear John,

The recent U.S. presidential debate highlighted the urgent need for migration policies grounded in human rights, not fear. At WOLA, we are committed to advocating for a humane approach that respects the dignity of all individuals and ensures asylum cases are handled fairly and efficiently. Addressing the root causes of migration is crucial—whether it's the humanitarian and political crises in Venezuela, where almost 2,000 people have been arbitrarily detained for standing up for their rights, or Nicaragua, where 135 political prisoners were sent to Guatemala and stripped of their nationality and expelled last week. This harsh reality highlights the need to shift public opinion from fearmongering to empathy and justice.

We are also deeply concerned about the continuation of Texas' “Operation Lone Star,” which sets a dangerous precedent with the excessive use of force against unarmed civilians at the U.S. border. In our latest commentary, we emphasize that actions such as using projectiles and physical force to push migrants back violate any democratic law enforcement agency’s standards and raise serious concerns about civil-military relations. Notably, OLS has not reduced migration to Texas more than to other border states. We must challenge these practices and advocate for policies that uphold human rights.

In Venezuela, the situation remains dire, with opposition leader Edmundo González, now seeking asylum in Spain as repression from the Maduro government escalates. This week we called on the UN Human Rights Council to renew its Fact-Finding Mission mandate to ensure accountability for these ongoing abuses. Without substantial improvements, we are likely to see more Venezuelans forced to flee their country in search of safety and stability, adding to the millions already displaced.

This and more in WOLA Weekly.

Carolina Jiménez Sandoval

President

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 long as we pretend that we can control the availability (of illicit drugs) through law enforcement we are bound to fail. The drugs will arrive because the enforcement cost is just the cost of doing business."

John Walsh

Director for Drug Policy

– In.visibles, JOHN WALSH: ‘THE FENTANYL CRISIS ENCAPSULATES THE HORRORS OF THE PROHIBITION REGIME’

“This [the judicial reform] is something that has very serious consequences for the democratic health of a country, it is not just anything they are proposing, it is something that can have a lasting impact, which is why there is alarm among Mexican civil society and international organizations.” This article is in Spanish.

Carolina Jiménez Sandoval

President

– Proceso, La captura del Poder Judicial por Morena tendrá un impacto gravísimo: WOLA

"He died refusing to acknowledge the grave crimes he committed during his ten-year reign, from grave human rights violations to massive corruption. Some may laud him for his economic stabilisation policies or for ending the Shining Path insurgency. But the harm he wrought to civic life, the cynicism he embedded in the political system, his cavalier justification of murder to achieve his ends – is the dark legacy that Peru has yet to fully grapple [with].”

Jo-Marie Burt

Senior Fellow

– The Guardian, Alberto Fujimori, authoritarian former president of Peru, dies aged 86

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