WOLA is a leading research and advocacy organization advancing human rights in the Americas. We promote policies that protect human dignity and justice.

50+ Messages / Page

  WOLA Weekly · [email protected]
April 19, 2024 at 5:14 PM

🇲🇽🇺🇸 Why the Drop in Migration at the Border? WOLA at D.C Film Fest, 50th Anniversary Video Showcase, Introducing our Gala MC & More...

The latest on Human Rights in Latin America. Friday, April 19, 2024Michael González/Getty Images Dear John,  This week I actually wrote about the drop in migration to the southern U.S border, which is unusual for this time of year. I attribute this to Mexico — prompted by the U.S government— crackin…
  WOLA Weekly · [email protected]
April 12, 2024 at 3:37 PM

🇭🇳Central America Special-Lessons from Juan Orlando Hernández trial, Human Rights Alternatives to the Bukele Security Model & More...

The latest on Human Rights in Latin America. Friday, April 12, 2024Adam Gray/Getty Images Dear John, This week I reached out to members of Congress and the U.S government to share lessons learned from the trial, in New York, of the former president of Honduras, Juan Orlando Hernández, who was convic…
  WOLA Weekly · [email protected]
April 5, 2024 at 5:06 PM

🇲🇽 Kidnapping of Migrants in Mexico, Events on Venezuela & Drug Policy Reform & More...

The latest on Human Rights in Latin America. Friday, April 5, 2024Sergio BorbollaDear John,  In recent months, WOLA interviewed 15 researchers, humanitarian aid workers and staff at migrant shelters operating on the U.S.-Mexico border. They spoke of a dramatic increase in kidnappings and horrific ac…
  WOLA Weekly · [email protected]
March 22, 2024 at 4:30 PM

🇻🇪Venezuela’s Setbacks to Democracy, Drug Policy & Environmental Justice in the Amazon & More...

The latest on Human Rights in Latin America. Friday, March 22, 2024 Edilzon Gamez/Getty Images Dear John, As I told MSNBC in a television interview this morning, democracy in Venezuela has again suffered setbacks this week. The situation is changing rapidly and there is a lot of disinformation and m…
  Carolina Jiménez Sandoval, WOLA.org · [email protected]
March 20, 2024 at 6:25 PM

You are cordially invited 🎉🎉🎉

Dear John, I am thrilled to formally invite you to attend WOLA’s 50th Anniversary Gala and Human Rights Awards Ceremony. Please join us on Thursday May 9, 2024 at the Hamilton Hotel in downtown Washington D.C. for our biggest gala to date! As you know, this isn’t your average WOLA gala. In addition …
  WOLA Weekly · [email protected]
March 15, 2024 at 3:47 PM

🦠Fentanyl & UN Drug Policy Events, Attacks on Judicial Independence in Peru, El Salvador Podcast, Juan Orlando Hernández Trial & More...

The latest on Human Rights in Latin America. Friday, March 15, 2024Dear John,  As I head to Vienna, Austria, to represent WOLA at the 67th session of the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) next week, I would like to invite you to join us for a number of panel discussions that WOLA and our partner…
  WOLA Weekly · [email protected]
March 8, 2024 at 5:21 PM

📣Women’s Day, Attacks on Social Leaders in Colombia, Gender & Racial Justice Event & More...

The latest on Human Rights in Latin America. Friday, March 8, 2024(Aldara Zarraoa/Getty Images) Dear John,  Today President Bernardo Arévalo of Guatemala is set to recognize the State’s responsibility in the femicide of Claudina Velásquez in line with the ruling of the Inter-American Court on Human …
  WOLA Weekly · [email protected]
March 1, 2024 at 6:32 PM

💧Migration & Climate Change, Mexico’s Constitutional Reform Proposal, Racial & Gender Justice Event & More...

The latest on Human Rights in Latin America. Friday, March 1, 2024(Jan Sochor/Getty Images) Dear John,  This week the topic of climate change, displacement and migration was at the top of our minds as WOLA participated in a hearing at the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights and hosted a panel …
  WOLA Weekly · [email protected]
February 23, 2024 at 4:44 PM

🇪🇨 Ecuador's Crisis, 'Bukele Model' Risks, Authoritarianism, & More...

The latest on Human Rights in Latin America. Friday, February 23, 2024(John Moore/Getty Images) Dear John,  Ecuador is grappling with an unprecedented surge in violence, witnessing a staggering rise in the homicide rate from 7.7 inhabitants per 100,000 in 2020 to an alarming 46 out of every 100,000 …
  WOLA Weekly · [email protected]
February 16, 2024 at 6:25 PM

🇻🇪 Venezuela's Crackdown on Dissent, Election Irregularities in El Salvador & More...

The latest on Human Rights in Latin America. Friday, February 16, 2024(John Moore/Getty Images) Dear John, At WOLA we are increasingly concerned about the human rights situation in Venezuela as the Maduro government is doubling down on repression against opposition and perceived opposition, includin…
  WOLA Weekly · [email protected]
February 16, 2024 at 6:24 PM

🇻🇪 Venezuela's Crackdown on Dissent, Election Irregularities in El Salvador & More...

The latest on Human Rights in Latin America. Friday, February 16, 2024(John Moore/Getty Images) Dear John,  At WOLA we are increasingly concerned about the human rights situation in Venezuela as the Maduro government is doubling down on repression against opposition and perceived opposition, includi…
  WOLA Weekly · [email protected]
February 2, 2024 at 5:58 PM

🇻🇪Venezuela Bans Opposition Candidates, El Salvador Elections, Senate Bill Could Gut Asylum & More...

The latest on Human Rights in Latin America. Friday, February 2, 2024(APHOTOGRAFIA/Getty Images) Dear John, It has been another busy week here at WOLA.  On January 26, Venezuela’s Supreme Court of Justice banned opposition leaders, María Corina Machado and Henrique Capriles Radonski from running for…
  WOLA Weekly · [email protected]
January 26, 2024 at 6:58 PM

🇲🇽 Mexico Elections, New Podcast on Migration & More

The latest on Human Rights in Latin America. Friday, January 26, 2024(Eloisa Sanchez/Getty Images) Dear John,  With Mexico’s presidential elections only 4 months away, and as the country’s first female presidency looks all but guaranteed, this week I published a listicle about key issues to watch in…
  WOLA Weekly · [email protected]
January 19, 2024 at 6:09 PM

🇻🇪 Venezuela's Bill to Block Human Rights Defenders, Democracy Prevails in Guatemala, A Worrisome Mega-Decree in Argentina, & More...

The latest on Human Rights in Latin America. Friday, January 19, 2023(Tobias Skarlovnik/Getty Images) Dear John,  It has been another eventful week for Latin America. In my home country, Venezuela, a bill that seeks to control and criminalize civil society organizations is pending approval from the …
  WOLA Weekly · [email protected]
January 12, 2024 at 6:36 PM

🗳 Ecuador's Security Crisis, Guatemala Readies For a New President & More...

The latest on Human Rights in Latin America. Friday, January 12, 2023(Emmanuel Andrés/Prensa Comunitaria) Dear John,  This week has been a turbulent one and perhaps a reflection of the year to come. As I am sure you heard, Ecuador is experiencing a major security crisis following an escalation of vi…
  Mariakarla Nodarse, WOLA.org · [email protected]
January 5, 2024 at 3:44 PM

🗳WOLA WEEKLY: Migration Special Edition & More...

The latest on Human Rights in Latin America. Friday, January 5, 2023(WOLA/Mariakarla Nodarse) Dear John, I hope this edition of the WOLA Weekly finds you well as we enter the New Year and celebrate 50 years since WOLA was founded in 1974. Discussions on migration are set to resume in Congress next w…
  Carolina Jiménez Sandoval, WOLA · [email protected]
December 22, 2023 at 3:01 PM

Cafecito con Carolina

Cafecito con Carolina 22 de diciembre de 2023 Hola John,     Me gustaría aprovechar la llegada del fin de este año para hacer un recuento de 2023 y  compartir algunas reflexiones. Hace unos días, tuve la oportunidad de grabar un episodio del podcast de WOLA América Latina Hoy, donde hablé sobre la…
  Carolina Jiménez Sandoval, WOLA · [email protected]
December 22, 2023 at 3:00 PM

Cafecito con Carolina

Cafecito con CarolinaDecember 22, 2023 Dear John,   The end of the year is a traditional time to take stock and share reflections. I had a chance, recently, to sit down and record an episode of WOLA’s Latin America Today podcast where I talked about trends in what has been a tumultuous year. I will…
  Maureen Meyer, WOLA.org · [email protected]
December 15, 2023 at 4:46 PM

🗳WOLA WEEKLY: WOLA’s Advocacy Efforts on the Hill, & More...

The latest on Human Rights in Latin America. Friday, December 15, 2023  (WOLA/Lucia Morice)Dear John,  This year has brought the human rights community many wins and losses. We have overcome obstacles in U.S. policies, advocated for human-rights respective policies across the Americas, and stood alo…
  Joe Eldridge, WOLA.org · [email protected]
December 13, 2023 at 6:01 PM

A special request

Reflections on WOLA as a communityDear John,  Five decades have passed since I arrived back in the U.S. after witnessing the 1973 Chilean coup.In those five decades, together we built an advocacy movement that helped to change the ways that Congress and the U.S. government conduct foreign policy.I h…
  Carolina Jiménez Sandoval, WOLA.org · [email protected]
December 10, 2023 at 3:00 PM

A Celebration and Reflection of the 75th Anniversary of the Declaration of Human Rights

Dear John, Today we celebrate and reflect on 75 years since the U.N. General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948. I cannot help but think how much the world has changed.                          Dear John,  Today we celebrate and reflect on 75 years since the U.N. Gene…
  Carolina Jiménez, WOLA.org · [email protected]
December 8, 2023 at 6:01 PM

🗳WOLA WEEKLY: 75 Years of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights

The latest on Human Rights in Latin America. Friday, December 8, 2023 (Getty Images/Fotosearch) Dear John,  As we celebrate 75 years since the U.N. General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights on December 10, 1948, I cannot help but think how much the world has changed. Yet, th…
  Carolina Jiménez Sandoval, WOLA.org · [email protected]
December 7, 2023 at 3:15 PM

Democracy. Climate Change. Gender Justice. Migration.

Our next 50 years Dear John,  For the past few months, we’ve been working on big ideas at WOLA…and I’m excited to share them with you. In the midst of our 50th anniversary celebrations, we’ve spent time asking ourselves how WOLA can be as effective in our next 50 years as we have been in our first 5…
  Adam Isacson, WOLA.org · [email protected]
December 1, 2023 at 7:31 PM

🗳WOLA WEEKLY: WOLA Testifies In Congress on Migration, Fujimori Could Be Released in Peru, Milei's Threat to Rights in Argentina, & More...

The latest on Human Rights in Latin America. Friday, December 1, 2023 (WOLA Photo/Milli Legrain) Dear John, Ahead of an election year, things are really heating up in Congress with countless discussions on migration in recent weeks and even an attempt to impeach U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security, …
  Carolina Jiménez Sandoval · [email protected]
November 23, 2023 at 5:00 PM

50 years’ worth of gratitude

A day to give thanks for your partnership Dear John,   If you are reading this in the United States, you may soon be sitting down to a hearty Thanksgiving meal — perhaps with just two people, maybe with 20 people...or more! Wherever you are, please know that we send our gratitude to you for all that…
  Adam Isacson, WOLA.org · [email protected]
November 17, 2023 at 7:07 PM

🗳WOLA WEEKLY: Attacks on Right to Asylum, Incarcerated Women, Elections in Argentina & More...

The latest on Human Rights in Latin America. Friday, November 17, 2023 (WOLA Photo/Sergio Borbolla) Dear John,  In yet another setback for democracy in Guatemala, members of Movimiento Semilla, the party of president elect Bernardo Arévalo, were arrested this week, alongside human rights defenders, …
  Zaida Márquez, WOLA.org · [email protected]
November 3, 2023 at 5:00 PM

🗳WOLA WEEKLY: A Week Packed with Events, Verdict in Peru Case on Murder of Unionist & More

The latest on Human Rights in Latin America. Friday, November 3, 2023 Courtesy: Indira Huilca Dear John,  This and the coming week mark an important time for WOLA. We are in the midst of planning our activities for the next year as our whole staff comes  together to share our ideas, dreams, and expe…
  Carolina Jiménez, WOLA.org · [email protected]
October 27, 2023 at 4:39 PM

🗳WOLA WEEKLY: Elections in Colombia, Venezuela & More...

The latest on Human Rights in Latin America. Friday, October 27, 2023 (Horacio Villalobos Corbis/via Getty Images) Dear John,  As a Venezuelan citizen abroad who has been unable to vote in over a decade, I am happy to share that I voted last weekend in the primary elections organized by members of t…
  John Walsh, WOLA.org · [email protected]
October 20, 2023 at 4:59 PM

📬 WOLA WEEKLY: Coca Chronicles on Bolivia, Negotiations in Venezuela, & More...

The latest on Human Rights in Latin America. Friday, October 20, 2023 (Anđela Janković) Dear John,  As the United Nations prohibitionist drug control system comes under renewed criticism from Latin American leaders and from UN human rights bodies, WOLA is excited to announce that we have launched th…
  Maureen Meyer, WOLA.org · [email protected]
October 13, 2023 at 5:55 PM

📬 WOLA WEEKLY: A More Humane Asylum System, Protests in Guatemala & More...

The latest on Human Rights in Latin America. Friday, October 13, 2023 (Sergio Borbolla/WOLA) Dear John,  As this week draws to a close and migration levels globally and in the Americas reach record levels, WOLA would like to provide some context to what is really happening.   Above all we want to r…
  Laura Dib, WOLA.org · [email protected]
October 6, 2023 at 5:18 PM

📬 WOLA WEEKLY: Venezuelan Migrants, Gender-Based Violence in Venezuela, Criminalization of Human Rights Defenders in Mexico, and more...

The latest on Human Rights in Latin America. Friday, October 06, 2023 (Sergio Ortiz Borbolla/WOLA) Dear John,  The past few weeks have been eventful for our Venezuela and Migration cross-cutting teams at WOLA. We were heartened by the Biden administration's decision on September 20 to re-designate a…
  Carolina Jiménez, WOLA.org · [email protected]
September 29, 2023 at 5:16 PM

📩 WOLA WEEKLY: President Boric in Washington & a Week Packed with Events to Kick Off our 50th Anniversary ...

The latest on Human Rights in Latin America. Friday, September 29, 2023 (Kaz /Lancer Photography)Dear John, I would like to start by extending a heartfelt thanks to our community who have tirelessly supported WOLA throughout the years and continue to show up for us, rain or shine. Last week was an e…
  Stephanie Brewer, WOLA.org · [email protected]
September 15, 2023 at 4:21 PM

📩 WOLA WEEKLY: President Boric in D.C, Militarization in Mexico, Venezuelan Elections, And Save The Date...

The latest on Human Rights in Latin America. Friday, September 15, 2023 (Sergio Ortíz Borbolla/WOLA)Dear John,  As you may have seen from our media coverage, WOLA recently launched an in-depth report on militarization in Mexico.  The report reveals how the Mexican government is giving increasing pow…
  Carolina Jiménez Sandoval, WOLA.org · [email protected]
September 11, 2023 at 4:30 PM

🇨🇱 WOLA WEEKLY SPECIAL EDITION: 50 Years Ago Today in Chile - A Tribute to Courage and Resistance

The latest on Human Rights in Latin America. Monday, September 11, 2023 (Bettmann/Getty Images)Dear John,  September 11 is a day for reflection and has a different meaning for many people around the globe. But for us at WOLA, it is also a time to reflect on the military coup in Chile against democra…
  Gimena Sánchez, WOLA.org · [email protected]
September 5, 2023 at 3:18 PM

📩 WOLA WEEKLY: Aid to Colombia, Attorney General in Honduras, Victims of Forced Disappearances & More...

The latest on Human Rights in Latin America. Friday, September 1, 2023 (Guillermo Legaria Schweizer/Getty Images)Dear John,  WOLA is deeply concerned about the decision in the U.S House of Representatives to defer all aid to Colombia.   For those interested in understanding more, I recently co-autho…
  Adam Isacson, WOLA.org · [email protected]
August 25, 2023 at 5:49 PM

📩 WOLA WEEKLY: Coca Prices : Crisis or Opportunity? Guatemala's President Elect, Save The Date & More...

The latest on Human Rights in Latin America. Friday, August 25, 2023 (Kaveh Kazemi/Getty Images)Dear John,   As you may have seen in the press, coca leaf prices have plummeted, creating a humanitarian crisis in some of the poorest, most neglected corners of Colombia. What we are not hearing about so…
  Ana María Méndez Dardón, WOLA.org · [email protected]
August 18, 2023 at 6:09 PM

📩 WOLA WEEKLY: Guatemala Special (Elections, War Crime Trials), Security in Colombia & More...

The latest on Human Rights in Latin America. Friday, August 18, 2023 (Josue Decavele/Getty Images)Dear John, This week, I am in Guatemala City to monitor electoral conditions as the country prepares to hold presidential run-off elections on Sunday.  As you may recall, on June 25, Guatemala held the …
  Carolina Jiménez, WOLA.org · [email protected]
August 9, 2023 at 2:00 PM

WOLA Launches Its Honorary Council

WOLA is excited to announce the launch of its Honorary Council. WOLA is excited to announce the launch of its Honorary Council. As ambassadors of the organization, the Honorary Council will lend their names to strengthen our mission and message while diversifying our community. We hope that through…
  Adam Isacson, WOLA.org · [email protected]
August 4, 2023 at 4:16 PM

📩 WOLA WEEKLY: New Report on Abuses at the U.S.-Mexico Border, LGBTQI+ rights in Venezuela, A Special Invitation & more...

The latest on Human Rights in Latin America. Friday, August 4, 2023 (Sergio Borbolla/WOLA) Dear John,  After years of documenting abuses by law enforcement agents at the U.S-Mexico border, this week WOLA is proud to launch an in-depth report that I co-wrote with Zoe Martens from the Kino Border Init…
  Laura Dib, WOLA.org · [email protected]
July 28, 2023 at 4:00 PM

📩 WOLA WEEKLY: Venezuela's ICC Investigation, Protests in Peru, Colombia's Peace Process, and more...

The latest on Human Rights in Latin America.Friday, July 28, 2023 (Edilzon Gamez/Getty Images)Dear John,   As you may recall, on June 27, 2023 it was announced that the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) would resume his investigation on crimes against humanity allegedly committed …
  Carolina Jiménez Sandoval, WOLA · [email protected]
July 21, 2023 at 7:01 PM

Cafecito con Carolina

Cafecito con CarolinaJuly 21, 2023 Dear John,   As summer gets underway, and I reflect on the first half of this year, I remain concerned about the state of democracy in the region and the ways in which institutions are being tested now and will be tested going into 2024.  In April, I traveled to …
  Mariakarla Nodarse, WOLA.org · [email protected]
July 14, 2023 at 6:16 PM

📩 WOLA WEEKLY: A Special Invitation, Anniversary of Cuba Protests, Bumpy Elections in Guatemala & more...

The latest on Human Rights in Latin America.Friday, July 14, 2023 (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)Dear John,  July 11 marked two years since the protests in Cuba that led to 1,558 people being arrested. WOLA commemorated this event and continues to advocate for the release of the  681  Cubans who unjustly …
  Lauren Kimball, WOLA.org · [email protected]
June 30, 2023 at 3:21 PM

📩 WOLA WEEKLY: World Refugee Day, News From The Mexico/Guatemala Border & More...

The latest on Human Rights in Latin America. Friday, June 30, 2023 (Sergio Borbolla/WOLA)Dear John,   On Monday, June 26, WOLA observed World Refugee Day and the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture. We continue to see cases of human rights violations committed against refugees and vic…
  Carolina Jiménez, WOLA.org · [email protected]
June 23, 2023 at 6:00 PM

📩 WOLA WEEKLY: Racism in Colombia, Human Rights based Drug Policies, and More...

The latest on Human Rights in Latin America. Friday, June 23, 2023 (Zaida Marquez/WOLA)Dear John,  I recently returned from a visit to the Mexico/Guatemala border with WOLA’s Board members, where we listened to migrants and refugees talk about their lack of protection. There is much cause for concer…
  Zaida Márquez, WOLA.org · [email protected]
June 16, 2023 at 6:20 PM

📩 WOLA WEEKLY: Freedom of Expression in Guatemala, WOLA Board and Staff Trip, Drug Policy, and More...

The latest on Human Rights in Latin America. Friday, June 16, 2023 (Sergio Borbolla/WOLA)Dear John,  This week, we were saddened to hear that José Rubén Zamora, a long-time journalist and founder of the Guatemalan newspaper El Periódico, was arbitrarily sentenced to six years in prison. This represe…
  Laura Dib, WOLA.org · [email protected]
June 9, 2023 at 6:32 PM

📩 WOLA WEEKLY: Venezuelan Migrants at the Colombia-Venezuela Border, U.S. Policies Towards Cuba, and More...

The latest on Human Rights in Latin America. Friday, June 9, 2023 (Laura Dib/WOLA)Dear John,  I am honored to announce that I recently joined WOLA as Venezuela Director following in the footsteps of Geoff Ramsey who held this position for four years. Although I am currently based in Bogotá, I look f…
  Milli Legrain, WOLA.org · [email protected]
June 2, 2023 at 6:20 PM

📩 WOLA WEEKLY: Migration in Honduras, Overcrowding at Mexico City Migrant Shelters, and More...

The latest on Human Rights in Latin America. Friday, June 2, 2023 (Adam Isacson/WOLA)Dear John,    A month ago, a team of WOLA experts visited Honduras and traveled to both the border with Guatemala to the north and the border with Nicaragua to the south. While historically Honduras has been a depar…
  Ana María Méndez Dardón, WOLA.org · [email protected]
May 26, 2023 at 4:31 PM

📩 WOLA WEEKLY: Guatemalan Elections, Colombia's Ethnic Chapter, and More...

The latest on Human Rights in Latin America. Friday, May 26, 2023 (Josue Decavele/Getty Images)Dear John,  As you may know, Guatemala will be holding general elections for president, legislators, and mayors on June 25. In an effort to assess pre-electoral conditions WOLA, alongside Robert F. Kennedy…
  Lauren Kimball, WOLA.org · [email protected]
May 19, 2023 at 7:02 PM

📩 WOLA WEEKLY: The Aftermath of Title 42, Peru's Ongoing Political Crisis, LASA, and More...

The latest on Human Rights in Latin America. Friday, May 19, 2023 (Kaveh Kazemi/Getty Images)Dear John,   In this week’s newsletter, you will read about: The ongoing political crisis in PeruThe aftermath of Title 42 The need for a regional approach towards migration as the number of Venezuelan migra…
  Maureen Meyer, WOLA.org · [email protected]
May 12, 2023 at 8:45 PM

📩 WOLA WEEKLY: The End of Title 42, Venezuela's Political Opposition Ahead of 2024 Elections, Protests in Cuba, and More...

The latest on Human Rights in Latin America. Friday, May 12, 2023 Sergio Ortiz Borbolla/WOLADear John,   After three years, Title 42, a policy used during the Trump era that restricted migrants from seeking asylum at the U.S.-Mexico border and continued under the Biden administration, has finally co…