Dear John,

Last week, former WOLA’s director Geoff Thale and I, joined a congressional delegation, led by Representative Jim McGovern, to commemorate 35 years since the brutal massacre of six Jesuit priests, their housekeeper, and her daughter in El Salvador. This solemn event at the Universidad Centroamericana (UCA) was a powerful reminder of the enduring legacy of those who gave their lives for justice, peace, and the defense of the most vulnerable. The 1989 massacre exposed the brutality of the civil war and was a heinous attempt to silence voices that stood with the poor and courageously challenged the oppressive structures fueling the country’s civil war. As Rep. McGovern movingly reflected, their commitment to justice and their ultimate sacrifice continue to inspire human rights defenders around the world.

WOLA has long supported efforts to seek justice in this case and remains steadfast in advocating for truth, accountability, and reconciliation in El Salvador. Yet today, the country faces new and mounting challenges, including democratic backsliding, the co-optation of its legislative and judicial powers, escalating human rights violations, and increasing persecution of independent press and social leaders. These troubling developments, compounded by the emboldening effect of leaders like president elect Donald Trump, underscore the growing threat of authoritarianism in the region.

WOLA continues to work closely with Salvadoran civil society, standing firm in its commitment to defend human rights and advocate for democratic institutions.

Stay tuned for more insights on El Salvador and additional updates in this week’s WOLA Weekly.

In solidarity,

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.

“It’s difficult to believe they [Nicolás Maduro's government] don’t know [María Corina Machado's location] ... My read is that they know the political cost of imprisoning her ... and instead, they are betting on wearing her down.”

Laura Cristina Dib

Director for Venezuela

– The New York Times, Venezuela’s ‘Iron Lady’ Pleads With Trump to Save Her Country’s Democracy

"It is unclear whether Maduro is aiming to show that he plans to be less repressive in order to open a possible dialogue with the United States, especially considering the nomination of the hard-line senator Marco Rubio (R-Florida) as secretary of state."

Carolina Jiménez Sandoval

President

– The Washington Post, Venezuela releases 70 political prisoners from post-election sweep

" ... nearly 45,000 of the 54,000 migrants who crossed in September had been deported or detained [due to an executive order signed by President Biden in June 2024 that blocked migrants from seeking asylum at the border]. 'That [new policy] certainly lays the groundwork for Trump,' ... noting that only 9,145 people had been released into the country in September, pending an immigration court hearing. 'So it won’t be too much work for Trump to get it down close to zero. Especially if they find a way to detain people from distant and hard-to-deport countries.'"

Adam Isacson

Director for Defense Oversight

– The New York Times, Biden’s Policies Offer a Starting Point for Trump’s Border Crackdown

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