All Content: El Salvador

President Obama to Meet with Central American Presidents

Topics of Discussion to Include Security and Economic Cooperation
1 May 2013
News
The Central American stop on Obama's trip seems intended to showcase positive messages about economic growth and partnership. But Central America has some huge challenges—on dealing with crime and insecurity, and on human rights and democracy—that will inevitably be part of the story.

One Year into the Gang Truce in El Salvador

Can the Funes Administration Turn the Fragile Truce into Sustainable Public Policy?
26 Apr 2013
Analysis & Commentary
In March 2012, authorities in El Salvador facilitated a truce between the country’s two largest street gangs, MS-13 and the 18th Street gang. Homicide rates began to drop quickly after the truce was announced, going from around 14 murders a day to about five, and to many observers’ surprise, the truce has now lasted over a year.

Remarks of Rep. Jim McGovern at "Twenty Years after the Salvadoran Truth Commission"

11 Apr 2013
Analysis & Commentary
At a forum organized by WOLA, CEJIL, DPLF, the University of Washington Center for Human Rights, and the Latin American Studies Program at George Mason University, Rep. Jim McGovern reflects on the importance of transitional justice in El Salvador and beyond.

Twenty Years after the Salvadoran Truth Commission

9 Apr 2013
Video
On Wednesday, April 10, 2013, WOLA, the University of Washington, DPLF, CEJIL, and George Mason University co-sponsored a discussion on the current status of emblematic human rights cases in El Salvador and throughout Latin America.

Event Video: Analyzing the Gang Truce in El Salvador

28 Mar 2013
Video
On Friday, March 29, WOLA hosted a panel discussion on the anniversary of the gang truce in El Salvador. Panelists focused on the political context and implications of the truce, as well as opportunities for long-term success.

20 Years after the Salvadoran Truth Commission

15 Mar 2013
Analysis & Commentary
Program Director Geoff Thale and Senior Associate for Citizen Security Adriana Beltrán analyze the current situation in El Salvador, 20 years after the establishment of the Salvadoran Truth Commission.

Tracking International Anti-Crime and Violence Prevention Efforts in Central America

31 Jan 2013
Publication
The Mapping of Internationally-Funded Citizen Security Projects in Central America is a joint initiative of WOLA and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) to monitor international assistance from multilateral institutions, donor governments, and private foundations to support anti-crime and violence reduction programs in Central America.

WOLA Featured in CBS News Story: "Some Latin American countries rethink drug policy"

19 Nov 2012
Video
Senior Associate John Walsh discusses the impact of the "war on drugs" with CBS News, noting the troubling levels of violence caused by the drug trade and various Latin American countries' proposals for the creation of legal, regulated markets for cannabis.

WOLA Remembers George McGovern for His Commitment to Human Rights in U.S. Policy

26 Oct 2012
Publication
Though best known as the anti-war Democratic Presidential candidate in 1972, WOLA admired Sen. McGovern’s long-standing commitment to addressing hunger at home and abroad and his support for human rights as a centerpiece of U.S. foreign policy.

WOLA's Human Rights Awards Highlight Strategies to Reduce Violence in Latin America

19 Sep 2012
News
Today, September 19, 2012, WOLA honors Helen Mack, El Faro, and PASSOS Education and Training Center for their work at the front lines of citizen security in Central America.

WOLA's 2012 Human Rights Awards Ceremony & Benefit Gala

19 Sep 2012
Video
On September 19, WOLA presented its 2012 Human Rights Awards. This year, the theme of the award was Overcoming Violence: The New Human Rights Agenda. Watch the Awards Ceremony here.

WOLA Announces Recipients of its 2012 Human Rights Awards

Theme of Awards Addresses High Levels of Violence in Latin America
13 Sep 2012
News
Today, WOLA announces the recipients of its 2012 Human Rights Awards. This year, the theme of the award is Overcoming Violence: The New Human Rights Agenda. WOLA’s Human Rights Awards will highlight inspiring efforts to confront the most pervasive challenge in Latin America today: the startlingly high levels of violence.

Release of Suspected Drug Trafficker in Honduras Raises Questions about Corruption in Honduras and El Salvador

10 Aug 2012
Analysis & Commentary
The arrest and subsequent release of suspected drug trafficker Chepe Luna in Honduras this week has led many to question the commitment of the Honduran and Salvadoran governments to combating organized crime.

The 25th anniversary of the Esquipulas II accords

CIP's Bill Goodfellow reflects on Central America's peace processes
8 Aug 2012
Publication
On August 7, 1987, Central America's presidents signed an agreement that brought an eventual end to the country's civil wars. Adam talks to William Goodfellow, executive director of the Center for International Policy, who accompanied the Esquipulas process.

Members of U.S. Congress Differ over El Salvador Constitutional Crisis

WOLA: Progess, But Still No Solution
27 Jul 2012
Analysis & Commentary
El Salvador’s political parties, with the involvement of President Mauricio Funes, are starting a third day of discussions about how to resolve the constitutional crisis between the Salvadoran National Assembly and the Supreme Court over the judicial naming process.

Tensions Rise between El Salvador’s National Assembly and the Supreme Court: Understanding (and Misunderstanding) the Salvadoran Constitutional Crisis

18 Jul 2012
Analysis & Commentary
El Salvador is in the midst of a constitutional and political crisis over the make-up and power of the country’s Supreme Court. In this two-part analysis, Geoff Thale explains the crisis, suggests how the international community can be helpful, and describes how prominent U.S. commentators have misunderstood the situation.

El Salvador's Gang Truce: In Spite of Uncertainty, an Opportunity to Strengthen Prevention Efforts

17 Jul 2012
Analysis & Commentary
On March 10, imprisoned leaders of the two largest street gangs in El Salvador announced a truce, suspending violent conflicts between the two gangs. While many questions remain unanswered, the lull in violence and the dialogue between the gangs presents an opportunity to develop more comprehensive strategies.

WOLA wants to know: What does overcoming violence in Latin America mean to you?

2 Jul 2012
Publication
This year, WOLA’s 2012 Human Rights Awards have the theme “Overcoming Violence: The New Human Rights Agenda.” We want everyone to be part of our awards ceremony, so we are asking you to answer our questions about overcoming violence, and we will use your answers to produce a video that will kick off our Human Rights Awards Ceremony.

WOLA Announces Winners of 2012 Human Rights Awards

This year's awards highlight courageous leaders working to overcome crime and violence in Latin America
9 May 2012
News
The theme of this year’s award ceremony is “Overcoming Violence: The New Human Rights Agenda.” WOLA will honor three courageous and innovative leaders.

Public Security Challenges in El Salvador Today

Comments by Rep. James McGovern
19 Apr 2012
Analysis & Commentary
In remarks at a recent forum on El Salvador sponsored by WOLA and the Moakley Institute at Suffolk University, Rep. James McGovern (D-MA) spoke about the public security crisis in El Salvador today, and what needs to be done to address the institutional challenges.

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