All Content: El Salvador

Appointment of Former General as Head of El Salvador's Police Violates the Spirit of the Peace Accords

Does this represent a change in focus for the country's security policy?
27 Jan 2012
News
For the second time during Funes' administration, a retired military officer has been put in charge of one of the country’s public security institutions.

WOLA: Promoting Human Rights, Democracy, and Social Justice

22 Dec 2011
Video
As the year winds to a close, we hope you will enjoy this video about how WOLA works with partners in the region to advance human rights in Latin America. If you have not done so, we hope you will consider making a donation to WOLA to support our continued efforts. Your support makes a difference.

Héctor Silva, presente!

8 Dec 2011
Analysis & Commentary
Héctor Silva, the head of the Social Investment Fund in El Salvador, and a long time activist for human rights and social justice, died suddenly and tragically this morning in San Salvador. WOLA joins many of the friends of El Salvador in mourning his passing and honoring his life.

Rebuilding El Salvador Sustainably

29 Nov 2011
Analysis & Commentary
Investing in small-scale, sustainable agriculture increases a country's resilience to extreme weather events, strengthens food security, and contributes to economic development in the rural sector. A decent job, food for the kids, and reduced threats from future natural disasters are powerful anchors to keep people from becoming climate refugees.

WOLA expresses concern about naming of new Justice and Public Security Minister in El Salvador

22 Nov 2011
News
The decision to name a military professional to lead citizen security in El Salvador goes against the spirit of the Peace Accords, which established a clear separation between police and military roles.

The Anniversary of the Jesuit Martyrs & Justice in El Salvador Today

16 Nov 2011
Analysis & Commentary
The legacy of the Jesuits is alive today and evident in two important issues now being debated in El Salvador. The first has to do with amnesty and impunity—whether those with power and influence can commit human rights abuses without fear of prosecution. The second has to do with the strength and role of the military.

Uruguay: Amnesty, Impunity, and Changing Political Conditions

The Shifting Balance between Political Stability, Reconciliation, and Justice Over Time
27 Oct 2011
Publication
In an interview conducted in Spanish, WOLA Program Director Geoff Thale talks with Uruguayan journalist, writer and activist Juan Raúl Ferreira about the post-dictatorship human rights amnesty granted to Uruguay's military, and subsequent efforts to undo it.

Father Dean Brackley, S.J. ¡Presente!

17 Oct 2011
Publication
Father Brackley will be remembered for his tireless work for human rights and social justice in El Salvador. He was a remarkable man who will be sorely missed.

Guatemalan mining raises human rights concerns

The Global Development and Environment Institute (GDAE) at Tufts University has just released a study that examines a controversial gold mining project in Guatemala
3 Oct 2011
Publication
The issues raised in the study have implications for extractive industry projects and for human rights and social justice activists who follow these projects.

Joy Olson Speaks at the 2011 WOLA Human Rights Awards

21 Sep 2011
Video
WOLA's Executive Director, Joy Olson, gives the opening address at WOLA's 2011 Human Rights Awards Ceremony and Benefit Gala.

Migration and Development in the United States and Mexico

Policy Recommendations for Both Governments
13 Sep 2011
Publication
In 2010, the Washington Office on Latin America and Iniciativa Ciudadana para la Promoción de la Cultura del Diálogo began joint work on the linkages between migration and development.

WOLA's 2011 Human Rights Awards

8 Sep 2011
Video
On September 13, 2011, WOLA honored Gael Garcia Bernal, Ambulante, and CEDECO for promoting human rights and telling stories that make a difference. Check out this video about the amazing work of our honorees.

Press Availabilities with Recipients of WOLA’s 2011 Human Rights Award — Actor Gael García Bernal, Ambulante, and CEDECO

Press Conference and Awards Gala on September 13th to Highlight "Migration and Development: Stories that Make a Difference"
6 Sep 2011
News
Washington, D.C. - On September 13, 2011, the Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA) will be hosting a press conference preceding its 2011 Human Rights Awards gala. This year, the theme of the gala is Migration and Development: Stories that Make a Difference.

WOLA Mourns Passing of Saul Solorzano, CARECEN President

Since the late eighties, he coordinated local and national efforts to protect Central American refugees fleeing the civil wars in their countries.
19 Aug 2011
Publication
Saul Solorzano will be remembered for his tireless work on behalf of Central American refugees and migrants in the Washington metropolitan region

El Salvador Government Holds Military Officers in Custody in Jesuit Case

Supreme Court Decision Will Determine if Justice is Served
10 Aug 2011
Analysis & Commentary
Nine retired officials of the Salvadoran armed forces, including four former members of the military’s high command, are in custody in El Salvador, in response to an international arrest warrant issued by Interpol.

El Caminito

15 Jul 2011
Video
This video serves as a visual companion to the investigative report done by the online newspaper El Faro about the Cartel de Texis in El Salvador.

WOLA/IDB Mapping Study of International Cooperation for Citizen Security in Central America

8 Jul 2011
Publication
Looking at the region from 2009 to June 2011, the study identifies 423 projects being implemented and 30 additional projects still in the design phase.

Report Back from Central America's Security Conference

A conversation with Geoff Thale and Adriana Beltrán
1 Jul 2011
Publication
WOLA Program Director Geoff Thale and Senior Associate Adriana Beltran were recently in Guatemala City, where Central America's presidents and international donors were discussing responses to Central America's severe citizen security challenges.

El Salvador: Troubling Attacks on the Independence of the Judiciary

29 Jun 2011
Analysis & Commentary
On June 2, a constitutional crisis erupted in El Salvador. The Salvadoran Legislative Assembly approved Decree 743, which mandates that the five members of the Constitutional Court must rule unanimously instead of with the previous four-person majority.

WOLA and IDB Release Most Comprehensive Study To Date on International Aid for Citizen Security in Central America

WOLA urges Central American governments and International Donors to use study as a tool for coordinating efforts
22 Jun 2011
News
Details the international community's support for citizen security in Central America.