Dear John,

Over the weekend, Colombia's Catatumbo region witnessed a devastating outbreak of violence. Clashes between the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) have left at least 80 dead and 20,000 displaced. Entire communities, including vulnerable Indigenous groups and families, are facing acute humanitarian emergencies, further complicating relationships within the region as many have fled across the border into Venezuela. At WOLA, we are deeply concerned by this escalating crisis and have called for an immediate end to the violence. As I explained in an interview with the Washington Post and MSNBC, this situation will further complicate relations between Colombia and the U.S. with Donald Trump back in power. 

We are closely monitoring the situation in light of shifting priorities in U.S. foreign policy. Last week, I wrote a piece for the Folha de São Paulo newspaper, along with Camila Asano from partner organization Connectas, about the need for strengthened global solidarity among human rights defenders in Brazil and the U.S. against policies undermining freedoms and targeting minorities.

As we continue to address the pressing issues in Colombia, we are proud to highlight our advocacy on a global stage. Earlier this month, the United Nations adopted a historic resolution marking the start of the second decade for people of African descent, a significant milestone in the fight against systemic racism and inequality. WOLA has been at the forefront of amplifying the voices of Afro-Colombian communities in an intersectional manner and other marginalized groups, working to ensure that their rights, experiences, and perspectives shape international human rights policies. This resolution is a testament to the strength and resilience of these communities, and we are committed to building on this momentum.

At WOLA, we remain committed to supporting communities and promoting regional peace.

Sincerely, 

Gimena Sánchez-Garzoli

Director for the Andes

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.

“Certainly, we have precedents from his first term to understand that Trump has a very transactional way of viewing the bilateral relationship between the United States and Mexico. We already know that his central issues will be migration control and having Mexico block the passage of migrants.”

Stephanie Brewer

Director for México

– RFI, Frontera, inmigración y narcotráfico, los temas centrales en las relaciones entre México y EEUU

“Today it is harder for migrants to make it to the border and seek asylum than at any point in modern U.S. history. Despite this massively increased infrastructure at the border, the U.S. continues to remain, in the eyes of people around the world, a place of safety and security.”

Adam Isacson

Director for Defense Oversight

– Los Angeles Times, Migration across the U.S.-Mexico border, in 5 charts

"Most crucially, we’re yet to hear anything from Richard Grenell, Trump’s appointee to deal with Venezuela… it might be frustrating, but we are yet to see what the new approach will be."

Laura Dib

Director for Venezuela

– CNN, What Maduro’s threat to ‘liberate’ Puerto Rico says about US-Venezuelan ties under Trump 2.0

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