The past month and a half was packed with key moments for both policymakers and civil society in the region.

This edition of our monthly newsletter covers WOLA’s programmatic work and regional events from November and mid-December. We will return to our monthly review at the end of January.


** Latin America in Review:
------------------------------------------------------------

The past month and a half was packed with key moments for both policymakers and civil society in the region. Former first lady Xiomara Castro made history by becoming the first woman president in Honduras, but faces daunting challenges around corruption, public health, and environmental devastation. WOLA worked closely with several congressional offices on a letter ([link removed]) to President Biden signed by 114 Members of Congress that calls for immediate action to address the current humanitarian crisis in Cuba and expresses support for a U.S. policy towards Cuba based on engagement.

While the U.S. has officially removed the FARC from its list of foreign terrorist organizations, the fifth anniversary of the Colombian peace accord served as a reminder that there is still much work to be done to address the immediate concerns of social leaders facing threats for their peace implementation efforts. With Mexico’s cooperation, the Biden administration has re-implemented the Trump-era program “Remain in Mexico” (MPP), a move that will continue to expose asylum-seeking families and individuals to violence, kidnappings, and killings.

Stay up to date with our expert programming by visiting our website ([link removed]) and following us on Twitter ([link removed]) and Facebook ([link removed]) .


** Our Partners in Action:
------------------------------------------------------------
[link removed]


** U.S. Institute of Peace (USIP) and WOLA host Bolivia event with
independent human rights experts
------------------------------------------------------------
In August 2021, the Interdisciplinary Group of Independent Experts (GIEI) released its report on the violence following Bolivia's 2019 elections, including recommendations for much-needed reforms to strengthen a more credible national judicial response to this deeply polarizing period for Bolivians. You can watch the event in either English or Spanish, or listen to the podcast format here ([link removed]) .

[link removed]


** Afro-Colombian National Peace Council (CONPA) recognized for their efforts in advancing peace in Colombia
------------------------------------------------------------
The council, which is comprised of thirteen organizations in Colombia, received the Afro-Colombians of the Year award by El Espectador and Color de Colombia in the social impact sector category. You can watch the acceptance speech by longtime WOLA partner Richard Moreno here ([link removed]) .



** WOLA in Action:
------------------------------------------------------------
On the 5^th anniversary of the Colombian peace accord, WOLA’s Adam Isacson published a comprehensive assessment of progress so far. You can find this in-depth report, as well as a podcast with Gimena Sánchez-Garzoli, and more in this digest ([link removed]) .

Director for Venezuela Geoff Ramsey and Program Associate Kristen Martinez-Gugerli offer a series of recommendations for U.S. policymakers in the context of Venezuela’s complex humanitarian emergency. Read the memo here ([link removed]) .

[link removed]

[link removed]


** 🎙 Recent Podcasts 🎙
------------------------------------------------------------
[link removed]
Listen now ([link removed])


** More from our experts:
------------------------------------------------------------

GROWING SOCIAL MOVEMENTS IN CUBA ([link removed]) : November 15: Fear of Repression Foils the March

TRANSITIONAL JUSTICE IN GUATEMALA ([link removed]) : Hope amidst the darkness: Victims continue to press for justice for wartime atrocities in Guatemala

U.S. MILITARY ASSISTANCE ([link removed]) : The United States’ Influence on Latin America’s New Militarism

INCOMPLETE ELECTION REFORM IN HONDURAS ([link removed]) : Concerns Cloud the November 28 Honduran Elections

CALLS FOR CONSTITUTIONAL ORDER IN NICARAGUA ([link removed]) : U.S. Government and International Community Should Take Strong Steps In the Aftermath of Nicaragua’s Sham Elections

U.S. ACTION ON CUBA ([link removed]) : Congressional Dear Colleague Letter: Push President Biden to Respond to Cuba’s Humanitarian Emergency and Restore Engagement

WOLA Senior Fellow and consultant Jo-Marie Burt is now a regular columnist for the Peruvian daily publication La República. You can read her bimonthly columns on Peruvian politics and human rights on Tuesdays.

Read her latest piece: La vacancia no es la ruta ([link removed])


** WOLA in the News
------------------------------------------------------------

“The problem is not sorting out a few bad apples, but rather you are dealing with institutions that have committed widespread crimes generally with impunity. We are talking about execution, torture, disappearances, arbitrary arrests.” - Stephanie Brewer, Director for Mexico, in Vice News ([link removed]) .

“There was tremendous pressure on Uribe’s government to show that he had no links to the paramilitaries… [so Uribe] extradited all the Self-Defense Forces paramilitary commanders to the United States, including Macaco. He got rid of the heads of these groups.” - Gimena Sánchez-Garzoli, Director for the Andes, in The Intercept ([link removed]) .

“In baseball terms, this is spring training. This is not the world series… This is the opposition returning to electoral politics in an incredibly unequal landscape. And trying to test out the electoral system as it exists and reengage with their base on the ground.” - Geoff Ramsey, Director for Venezuela, in Foreign Policy ([link removed]) .

"Having former FARC members on the US “terrorism” list prevented American government agencies from collaborating with development projects that include former fighters, such as schemes to remove landmines, or efforts to replace illegal crops like coca leaf,” Adam Isacson, Director for Defense Oversight, in Al Jazeera ([link removed]) .

“[U.S. and Mexico statements on migrants’ and asylum seekers’ rights is positive] but actions on the ground, particularly in Mexico and at the U.S.-Mexico border, continue to violate the rights of migrants, deny them access to protection, and allow crimes and human rights abuses to occur with impunity.” - Maureen Meyer, Vice President for Programs, in AP News ([link removed]) .


** WOLA Campaign Updates
------------------------------------------------------------
The latest installment of the Central America Monitor, a concerted effort between WOLA and its counterparts in the region, reveals challenges and opportunities for rule of law, citizen security, and protection of human rights in the Northern Triangle. By assessing, through data, the impact of policies and strategies, the Monitor seeks to provide tools to identify opportunities for improving the living conditions of these countries’ residents by strengthening institutions and the fight for justice.
[link removed]
🇲🇽 Explore our investigative report on how Mexico’s flagship law to address its historic disappearance crisis remains under-applied in criminal investigations throughout the country here ([link removed]) .

🇻🇪 Through #StandFor6Million ([link removed]) , WOLA featured the work of civil society organizations in six Latin American countries to identify gaps in their governments’ responses to fleeing Venezuelans, denounce inhumane and counterproductive policies, and work to address the needs of Venezuelan migrants and refugees in their host countries.

👣 Sign up here ([link removed]) for weekly border and migration updates from our experts. Read our past updates here ([link removed]) .

🇨🇴 Stay updated on the Con Líderes Hay Paz ([link removed]) campaign by signing up ([link removed]) for our campaign newsletters or follow the #ConLíderesHayPaz hashtag on social media.


** Upcoming Events
------------------------------------------------------------
View all upcoming and past events hosted by WOLA on our website or by subscribing to our newsletter.

All Events ([link removed])
Ways to give ([link removed])
Contact:
Kimberly Durón
Assistant Director for Content Production
[email protected] (mailto:[email protected])

============================================================
** Sign Up ([link removed])
** Twitter ([link removed])
** Facebook ([link removed])
** Instagram ([link removed])
** Website ([link removed])
Copyright © 2021 Washington Office on Latin America, All rights reserved.
You are receiving this email because you are signed up to the WOLA mailing list.

Our mailing address is:
Washington Office on Latin America
1666 Connecticut Avenue, NW
Suite 400
Washington, DC 20009
USA
Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can ** update your preferences ([link removed])
or ** unsubscribe from this list ([link removed])