Dear John,
As we enter the final week of our Human Rights Award Month, I've been grateful for the opportunity to share the story of the Salvadoran organization MOVIR (Movimiento de Víctimas del Régimen) with our community. As WOLA's Director for Central America, I see daily the courage it takes to denounce human rights violations in the region, and MOVIR exemplifies that courage.
For over three years, El Salvador’s government has suspended constitutional rights under a state of exception that has resulted in mass incarceration, as more than 90,000 people have been detained without due process, access to legal counsel, or even notification to their families. MOVIR, made up of mothers, fathers, siblings, and children of the detained, is fighting tirelessly for the rights of their incarcerated loved ones and demanding accountability in a context of severe direct threats to critical voices.
Throughout this month, we've produced content examining the broader situation in El Salvador: the systematic dismantling of checks and balances, the silencing of dissent, and the attacks against civic space. These are not abstract concerns. They represent the daily reality for countless Salvadorans and a warning signal for the entire region.
At WOLA, we are deeply committed to preventing the full consolidation of authoritarianism by Bukele and standing alongside partners like MOVIR who share this fight with us. In times like these, solidarity across borders is not just important—it is essential. We learn from each other, draw strength from each other, and remind one another that we are not alone in this struggle.
This month will culminate next Wednesday, October 29th, at 10:30 AM ET with a live webinar that will begin by honoring MOVIR and their courageous work, along with Senator Tim Kaine. We'll then move into what promises to be a crucial conversation between WOLA President Carolina Jiménez Sandoval and Steven Levitsky, co-author of How Democracies Die, about the erosion of democratic norms and what we can do to resist it.
I encourage you to register and join us, and please come prepared with your questions. These conversations matter, and your voice is part of them. In solidarity, |
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| Ana María Méndez Dardón Director for Central America |
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🎙️ 🇸🇻 🗣 We published another podcast episode as part of our Human Rights Award Month, this time focusing on Bukele's use of propaganda in El Salvador. The episode examines how the government has deployed media and messaging to shape public perception and consolidate power, offering critical insights into the tools of authoritarian control. Listen here!
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🏆 🏛 👏 We created a timeline honoring Senator Tim Kaine and his work on Latin America since 2021. The timeline highlights his legislative efforts, advocacy, and commitment to human rights in the region, showcasing the impact of sustained engagement from U.S. policymakers on issues that matter to our communities. Read here.
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🎥 🔴 💬 Comedian Angelo Colina gave us a shoutout this week, bolstering our fundraising and network-building efforts through an impactful video. He expressed his unwavering support of all we do and urged his followers to help push our mission forward!
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Join WOLA on Wednesday, October 29, 2025, from 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM ET to honor this year's human rights awardees—MOVIR (The Movement of the Victims of the Regime in El Salvador) and Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA)—followed by a conversation with Dr. Steven Levitsky, co-author of "How Democracies Die," and WOLA President Carolina Jiménez Sandoval. This special event concludes our Human Rights Awards Month with an engaging discussion on the enduring value of human rights and democracy in times of rising authoritarianism.
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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. |
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| “The United States' anti-drug aid programs for Colombia have been in place for more than 50 years, and drug quantities in Colombia have fluctuated, but that aid has never been able to solve the problem." This article is in Spanish. Adam Isacson Director of Defense Oversight
– Deutsche Welle, Justicia de Colombia debe "quitarle oxígeno al narcotráfico"
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