Latin America Today

Washington Office on Latin America

A look at some of the concerns in Congress and elsewhere about political will, corruption, and human rights, and discuss strategies that can help Central Americans feel safer where they live—without repeating ineffective and military-heavy approaches

Bolivia's government has rejected the U.S. model of illegal drug control—and cultivation of coca has dropped by 34% there since 2010. Adam talks with Kathryn Ledebur of the Andean Information Network, co-author of a new report with WOLA.

Over 3 days in August, Mexico's government announced a big new southern border security plan, and inaugurated a big new police force, the Gendarmería. Adam talks to six experts about both strategies and their likely effects.

With numerous audio samples, Adam reports back on an August 3-4 visit to McAllen, Texas, and Reynosa, Mexico. Updates on unaccompanied minors, migrant deaths, deportations, and the humanitarian response.

Since October, authorities have captured more than 46,000 unaccompanied children, most of them from Central America, on the U.S. side of the border. Adam talks with WOLA's Geoff Thale, Maureen Meyer, and Marc Hanson about causes and implications.

Mexico's Congress has voted to send cases of military human rights abuse to civilian justice. Adam and WOLA Senior Associate for Mexico Maureen Meyer talk with Santiago Aguirre, a lawyer at the Tlachinollan Human Rights Center in Guerrero, Mexico.

February 2 will see first-round presidential elections in both El Salvador and Costa Rica. Both countries' races are too close to call. Adam talks with WOLA Program Director Geoff Thale about candidates and issues.

Adam talks about a U.S.-backed coca eradication offensive in Peru, a delivery of U.S. helicopters and equipment to Guatemala, and a series of events affecting human rights and the judicial system in El Salvador.

Adam talks about the recent troubles of Rio de Janeiro's Favela Pacification Program, the Venezuelan President's quest for decree powers, and politics in Argentina as President Cristina Fernández undergoes brain surgery.