Analysis & Commentary

Colombia Peace Process Update (January 26, 2013)

A progress report on the dialogues
26 Jan 2013
A progress report on the dialogues taking place in Havana between Colombia's government and the FARC guerrillas. Main issues: the dialogues' pace and tone, the FARC's cease-fire, the debate over land and rural development, calls for a constitutional assembly, the ELN's role, and foreign governments' role.

CELAC Summit: Cuba to Head Regional Organization

25 Jan 2013
Cuba not only will participate in the summit, but also will exercise formal leadership. That is a major shift, the culmination of a process of Cuba’s regional reintegration.

Border Security and Migration: A Report from South Texas

23 Jan 2013
WOLA Senior Associates Adam Isacson and Maureen Meyer report on a trip to south Texas (Laredo, McAllen, and Brownsville) and Matamoros, Tamaulipas, finding increased migration and drug trafficking, a lack of spillover violence, and a worrisome trend of deportations to dangerous Mexican border cities.

Bolivia Wins a Rightful Victory on the Coca Leaf

Creates a Positive Example for Modernizing the UN Drug Conventions
11 Jan 2013
Bolivia has rejoined the leading international drug convention with an explicit exception allowing for the traditional use of the coca leaf. This marks a major step in bringing the UN drug conventions in line with cultural and political realities.

What the Obama Administration's New Nominees Might Mean for Latin America

9 Jan 2013

Fight Crime, Respect the Poor: Priorities for a Potential Post-Chavez Venezuela

Analysis in New York Times’ Room for Debate
4 Jan 2013
The New York Times’ Room for Debate blog posted a series of brief analyses from Venezuela commentators today on what issues may arise in a post-Chávez Venezuela. WOLA director Joy Olson and Senior Fellow David Smilde weighed in, arguing that improving citizen security will be the central concern for many Venezuelans.

Time for Shared Solutions to Gun Violence in the United States and Mexico

17 Dec 2012
As we mourn the loss of so many lives in Newtown last Friday, this is one of those moments when you think dramatic change has to come. Now, at last, let us hope the United States will confront head on the consequences of our lax gun laws—especially the unspeakable horrors caused by the proliferation of assault weapons.

Cuba Announces Popular Consultations on Labor Code

Implications for Workers’ Rights in Cuba
14 Dec 2012
A consultation process that encourages honest debate could help Cuba adapt to the changing economy and the resulting changes in labor relations, while preserving an effective framework of protections and benefits for workers.

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See Also

WOLA Border Fact Check

See Also

Read the Venezuelan Politics and Human Rights Blog

The Human Cost

The Human Cost of the Drug War