WOLA Weekly · [email protected]

November 22, 2024 at 3:42 PM

🇸🇻 WOLA in El Salvador, Supporting PROVEA in Venezuela, and Award-Winning Documentary

The latest on Human Rights in Latin America.Friday, November 22, 2024  Credit: Ana María Méndez Dardón          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…

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November 15, 2024 at 4:17 PM

🌎 WOLA at the IACHR, New Commentary on Migration & more...

The latest on Human Rights in Latin America.Friday, November 15, 2024 Dear John,  This week holds significant importance for WOLA and our partners across the region, as the 191st period of sessions of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) takes place in Washington, DC. The hearings b…

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  WOLA Weekly · [email protected]

November 8, 2024 at 3:28 PM

🇺🇸 The next Trump administration, ......

The latest on Human Rights in Latin America.Friday, November 8, 2024 Dear John,  After a long and contentious campaign, the American people have elected Donald Trump as their next president. The results of this election represent enormous challenges to human rights worldwide.  For Latin America, the…

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  WOLA Weekly · [email protected]

November 1, 2024 at 2:57 PM

✊ Gender and racial justice, WOLA at the COP16, Border updates, & more!

The latest on Human Rights in Latin America. Friday, November 1, 2024 Dear John,  As we approach a pivotal moment in the U.S. elections, I’m pleased to introduce two new features in our series, A Human Rights Agenda for the Next U.S. Administration. Our latest articles, Gender Equity: A Necessity to…

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  WOLA Weekly · [email protected]

October 25, 2024 at 2:13 PM

🗳️ Democracy in the Americas, New Podcast on Mexico's Constitutional Reforms and More! 🎙️🇲🇽✨

The latest on Human Rights in Latin America.Friday, October 25, 2024Scott Olson /Getty Images Dear John,  I’m excited to share the third installment of our series, A Human Rights Agenda for the Next U.S. Administration, where we outline WOLA’s vision for promoting democracy across the Americas. This…

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  WOLA team · [email protected]

October 18, 2024 at 2:12 PM

🇺🇸 Priorities for Next U.S Administration

Dear John,  Following the launch of our series A Human Rights Agenda for the Next U.S. Administration, we are excited to share the first two articles, focusing on key areas shaping U.S. policies in the Americas: Migration: We explore five key policies that the U.S. should adopt to ensure a humane, r…

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October 11, 2024 at 2:40 PM

⚛️ Drug Policy, Venezuela Fact-Finding Mission & more...

The latest on Human Rights in Latin America.Friday, October 11, 2024Eduardo Mu/Getty Images John  This week, we’re pleased to share the second installment of our series, A Human Rights Agenda for the Next U.S. Administration, focusing on drug policy. In this article, we recommend that the U.S. adopt…

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  The WOLA Team · [email protected]

October 8, 2024 at 3:43 PM

🚨 EVENT: Responding Effectively to the Fentanyl Overdose Crisis: Evidence from the Border and Beyond

Join us!Dear John,  We invite you to join us for an important virtual discussion hosted by WOLA on the fentanyl overdose crisis and strategies for effective, evidence-based responses.Responding Effectively to the Fentanyl Overdose Crisis: Evidence from the Border and Beyond Thursday, October 10, 202…

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  WOLA Weekly · [email protected]

October 4, 2024 at 5:28 PM

🇻🇪 WOLA at the OAS, New WOLA Series & more...

The latest on Human Rights in Latin America. Friday, October 4, 2024Jose Decavele/Getty ImagesJohn  This week marked a significant milestone in WOLA’s advocacy for human rights in Venezuela. On October 2, I had the privilege of addressing the Permanent Council of the Organization of American States …

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  The WOLA Team · [email protected]

October 3, 2024 at 7:35 PM

🌟 New Series Alert: A Human Rights Agenda for the Next U.S. Administration

Read Part 1: Migration now!Dear John,  As the U.S. presidential election quickly approaches, WOLA is leading the conversation on human rights by launching our new series, "A Human Rights Agenda for the Next U.S. Administration." In this series, we outline our recommendations for the incoming adminis…

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  WOLA Weekly · [email protected]

September 27, 2024 at 2:01 PM

🕊️ 10th Anniversary of Ayotzinapa: Calling for Justice and Accountability for the Victims

The latest on Human Rights in Latin America.Friday, September 27, 2024Jose Decavele/Getty Images Dear John,  As we commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Ayotzinapa case, WOLA reflects on the enduring impact this case has had on the families of the 43 disappeared students and on all of Mexico. To …

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September 20, 2024 at 2:01 PM

🌱 Coca cultivation expands in Central America, latest migration numbers, & more...

The latest on Human Rights in Latin America.Friday, September 20, 2024Photo by Fritz Pinnow Dear John,  Illicit coca cultivation, long concentrated in South America’s Andean region, is now taking root in Central America as well. The emerging evidence of coca growing and illicit cocaine production i…

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September 13, 2024 at 2:30 PM

🚨 Operation Lone Star, U.S. Presidential Debate, & more...

The latest on Human Rights in Latin America.Friday, September 13, 2024Photo by Texas Military Department Dear John,  The recent U.S. presidential debate highlighted the urgent need for migration policies grounded in human rights, not fear. At WOLA, we are committed to advocating for a humane approa…

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  Adam Isacson, WOLA · [email protected]

September 11, 2024 at 7:21 PM

Reflections on last night's presidential debate

We can do more to uphold human rights in our immigration system! Dear John, When it comes to one of WOLA’s core areas of work, migration and human rights at the border, I went into last night’s presidential debate unsure of what to expect.   There is an obvious and stark difference between the two c…

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  WOLA Weekly · [email protected]

September 6, 2024 at 2:00 PM

🇨🇴 Security situation in Colombia, urgent actions, upcoming events & more...

The latest on Human Rights in Latin America.Friday, September 6, 2024Photo by Jan Sochor/Getty Images Dear John,  As Colombia's security situation becomes increasingly complex, WOLA remains committed to the full implementation of the 2016 peace agreement, with a particular focus on the Ethnic Chapt…

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  WOLA Weekly · [email protected]

August 30, 2024 at 2:31 PM

International Day of the Disappeared, Trends at the U.S.-Mexico Border & more...

The latest on Human Rights in Latin America. Friday, August 30, 2024Photo by Sergio Ortíz Borbolla Dear John,  As we observe the International Day of the Disappeared, we are reminded of the enduring crisis of enforced disappearances in Latin America. This tragic phenomenon has scarred many countrie…

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August 23, 2024 at 2:00 PM

🇲🇽 Judicial Reform in Mexico: A Crossroad for Human Rights? & More...

The latest on Human Rights in Latin America.Friday, August 23, 2024Photo by Hector Vivas/Getty Images Dear John,  In my latest commentary, I examine the troubling implications of President Andrés Manuel López Obrador's proposed judicial reforms in Mexico. These reforms, which include the election o…

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  WOLA Weekly · [email protected]

August 16, 2024 at 2:07 PM

🌎 This Week On Migration, Venezuela & more...

The latest on Human Rights in Latin America. Friday, August 16, 2024Photo by Sergio Ortíz Borbolla Dear John,  Migration at the U.S.-Mexico border has dropped to its lowest point of the Biden administration, driven by a crackdown in Mexico and new asylum restrictions. However, this lull may be temp…

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  Carolina Jiménez Sandoval, WOLA · [email protected]

August 9, 2024 at 2:57 PM

🇻🇪 Crisis in Venezuela

What you need to know and how you can help. Dear John,   There is a democratic crisis (which has led to a human rights crisis) happening in Venezuela.   Here are the details I think you should know, as well as how you can help WOLA’s work.   The Situation On Sunday, July 28, Venezuela held their fir…

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  Carolina Jiménez Sandoval, WOLA · [email protected]

August 2, 2024 at 6:22 PM

☕ Cafecito con Carolina

  Cafecito con CarolinaAugust 2, 2024 (Marcelo Perez del Carpio/Getty Images) Dear John,   I had the opportunity to participate in several conferences in Europe and Latin America, speaking about democracy and its outlook in the region. In this Cafecito, I was going to focus on telling you about my …

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  WOLA Weekly · [email protected]

July 26, 2024 at 2:00 PM

🇻🇪 This Week On Venezuelan Elections, & more...

The latest on Human Rights in Latin America.Friday, July 26 2024Mario Tama/Getty Images Dear John,  This Sunday’s presidential election represents a critical moment for Venezuela and the future of democracy in the region. The stakes are incredibly high as the results could either entrench authorita…

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  WOLA Weekly · [email protected]

July 19, 2024 at 2:29 PM

📝 This Week On Coca Chronicles, Venezuelan Elections, & more...

The latest on Human Rights in Latin America.Friday, July 19, 2024(Illustration by  Anđela Janković) Dear John,   We are excited to share the third issue of our Coca Chronicles series, in collaboration with our colleagues at the Transnational Institute (TNI). In this edition, renowned cultural anthr…

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  WOLA Weekly · [email protected]

July 12, 2024 at 1:59 PM

📝 A Note From Ana María About Virgina Laparra and more...

The latest on Human Rights in Latin America.Friday, July 12, 2024(Photo Credit/ Anonymous)  Dear John,  Today, I write to you with a heavy heart and deep indignation over the second sentence handed down against Guatemalan lawyer and former prosecutor, Virginia Laparra, who Amnesty International rec…

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  WOLA Weekly · [email protected]

June 28, 2024 at 5:39 PM

🇻🇪 Venezuela: Election Countdown, Political Prisoners & Migration

The latest on Human Rights in Latin America.Friday, June 28, 2024Carolina Cabral/Getty Images Dear John,  Today marks a month until the July 28 presidential elections in Venezuela. Much can happen in this final stretch and even though the opposition seems set to win, a democratic transition is still…

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  WOLA Weekly · [email protected]

June 21, 2024 at 4:13 PM

📚 New Migration Report: "Migrants in Colombia: From Government Absence to Criminal Control"

The latest on Human Rights in Latin America.Friday, June 21, 2024Photo by Sergio Ortíz Borbolla Dear John, This week, to mark World Refugee Day, WOLA launched “Migrants in Colombia: From Government Absence to Criminal Control”, an in-depth report that I researched late last year on Colombia’s border…

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  WOLA Weekly · [email protected]

June 14, 2024 at 4:38 PM

🇸🇻Corruption in El Salvador, Magistrate Elections in Guatemala, Garifuna Rights in Honduras, WOLA at LASA & More...

The latest on Human Rights in Latin America.Friday, June 14, 2024Handout/Getty Images Dear John,  On June 1, President Nayib Bukele of El Salvador was sworn in for an unconstitutional second five year term, in a ceremony attended by global leaders. Bukele has concentrated power around his persona by…

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  WOLA.org · [email protected]

June 13, 2024 at 4:01 PM

WOLA Is Excited to Announce a New Addition to Our Senior Fellow Team!

We are excited to announce that Rafael Uzcátegui is joining WOLA as a Senior Fellow. As a sociologist, human rights defender, communicator, and independent editor, Rafael lends his expertise to advise WOLA on public policy strategies around democracy in the Americas. Dear John,  We are excited to a…

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  WOLA Weekly · [email protected]

June 7, 2024 at 2:16 PM

🇺🇸 Asylum Setback, LASA in Bogotá, WOLA Gala Video & More...

The latest on Human Rights in Latin America.Friday, June 7, 2024 Dear John,  As you will have heard by now, this week the Biden administration announced executive action on immigration, severely curtailing the right to asylum at the U.S border. My colleague Adam Isacson put together this Q&A on …

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  WOLA Weekly · [email protected]

May 31, 2024 at 4:09 PM

🏳️‍🌈 Pride Month, Elections in Mexico, Corruption in Colombia, Threats to Human Rights in Argentina & More...

The latest on Human Rights in Latin America.Friday, May 31, 2024 Dear John,  In June, WOLA will be celebrating Pride Month by uplifting the voices of our LGBTQ+ partners in the region. Levels of homophobia and transphobia in Latin America remain high, with Peru recently issuing a decree stating that…

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  WOLA Weekly · [email protected]

May 24, 2024 at 5:48 PM

🇲🇽 Elections in Mexico, Human Rights under Javier Milei, Mexico's 100,000+ Disappeared & More...

The latest on Human Rights in Latin America. Friday, May 24, 2024Manuel Velasquez/Getty Images Dear John, Elections in Mexico are fast approaching. On June 2, Mexicans will head to the polls to elect officials for 20,000 posts, including the entire federal Congress, nine governors, thousands of stat…

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  WOLA Weekly · [email protected]

May 17, 2024 at 3:44 PM

🎉WOLA GALA: Photos, Videos & More...

The latest on Human Rights in Latin America. Friday, May 17, 2024Photo by Kaz Sasahan Dear John, I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to all those who attended WOLA’s 50th anniversary Gala last week. And especially to those who gave generously, investing in WOLA’s future. Those of you who were una…

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  WOLA Weekly · [email protected]

May 3, 2024 at 6:52 PM

🎙️Press Freedom Day, Brazilian representatives in D.C, U.S Moves on Marijuana, Voices from Peru on Democratic Crisis & More...

The latest on Human Rights in Latin America. Friday, May 3, 2024Photo by Milli Legrain Dear John,  Today is World Press Freedom Day. According to Article 19, a staggering 163 journalists were killed in Mexico from 2000 - 2023,  the highest number of media killings in any country outside a war zone. …

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April 26, 2024 at 1:00 PM

🍃 Coca Leaf Progress For Bolivia, WOLA's 50th Gala, Climate Justice Events, PBS Film on Migration & More...

The latest on Human Rights in Latin America. Friday, April 26, 2024Illustration by Anđela Janković Dear John, Decades ago, the United Nations mistakenly classified the coca leaf as a narcotic drug, stigmatizing millions of people who consume coca for its health and nutritional benefits. This include…

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  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…

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  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…

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  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…

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  Carolina Jiménez Sandoval, WOLA · [email protected]

April 2, 2024 at 2:00 PM

Cafecito con Carolina

Cafecito con CarolinaApril 2, 2024 Dear John,   Here in DC, spring has sprung, and we are in the midst of final preparations for our 50th Anniversary Human Rights Awards Ceremony and Benefit Gala on May 9th. This year we will be honoring Senator Patrick Leahy, Venezuela Program Education-Action on …

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  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…

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  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 …

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  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…

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  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 …

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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 …

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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 …

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  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…

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  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…

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  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…

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  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…

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  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 …

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  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…

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  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…

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