All Content: Guatemala

Former Guatemalan Dictator to Face Court for Genocide During Civil War

24 Jan 2012
Analysis & Commentary
José Efraín Ríos Montt will appear in court this Thursday, January 26, to face genocide charges relating to his 1982-1983 regime. However, a lack of transparency within the Defense Ministry and weaknesses in the Guatemalan justice system may make it difficult to bring him to justice.

Ahmadinejad in Latin America: What does the Iranian leader’s trip portend?

9 Jan 2012
Analysis & Commentary
This week, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is visiting Latin America, starting this past Sunday in Venezuela and going on to Nicaragua, Cuba, Ecuador, and possibly Guatemala. Why is the trip taking place, and what does it portend? Should U.S. officials be concerned?

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.

Elections in Guatemala and Nicaragua

A conversation with Adriana Beltran and Maureen Meyer
11 Nov 2011
Publication
On Sunday, Guatemalans elected retired Gen. Otto Pérez Molina to be their next president, while Nicaraguans re-elected Daniel Ortega. Adam talks about the result, and what might come next, with WOLA Senior Associates Adriana Beltrán and Maureen Meyer.

Guatemala and Nicaragua - Elections 2011

WOLA resources for journalists reporting on the Guatemala and Nicaragua elections on November 6.
4 Nov 2011
News
Nicaragua will hold elections this Sunday, November 6, amid strong concerns over the electoral process and the state of democracy. Guatemala will also have its run-off elections Sunday, November 6.

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 Launches Guatemala Elections Blog

New blog with news and analysis about Guatemala’s upcoming elections
8 Sep 2011
Publication
Guatemalans will be going to the polls this Sunday, September 11, to elect the country’s next president.

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

U.S. Trade Representative Takes Action on Labor Rights Enforcement Case against Guatemala

10 Aug 2011
News
The United States Trade Representative (USTR) announced today that the United States will seek the establishment of an arbitration panel against the Guatemalan government for failure to enforce its own labor laws.

Guatemalan Soldiers Sentenced to 6,060 Years for 1982 Massacre

A Step toward Justice
4 Aug 2011
Analysis & Commentary
On August 2, a Guatemalan court sentenced four former members of the Guatemalan Special Forces known as the Kaibiles to over 6,000 years in prison for the December 1982 massacre of 200 people in the village of Dos Erres.

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.

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.

Civil Society Declaration to Central American Governments, SICA, and International Donor Community

21 Jun 2011
Publication
The recommendations are the result of a day-long civil society forum on citizen security in Central America that achieved broad-based consensus.

Regional Leaders Meet in Guatemala to Discuss Central American Security Strategy

WOLA will be in attendance and urges leaders to consider a comprehensive approach to insecurity
21 Jun 2011
News
Adriana Beltrán and Geoff Thale are coordinating with civil society experts from Central America to ensure that the viewpoints and experiences of those working on the ground in violence prevention and citizen security are taken into account in the new regional plan.

The Crisis of Crime and Violence in Central America: More than just Drugs and Gangs

Commentary by Program Director Geoff Thale
20 Jun 2011
Analysis & Commentary
This week the "International Conference in Support of the Central American Security Strategy" will bring together Central American presidents and officials from multi-lateral banks and donor governments, including Hilary Clinton for the U.S. Attendees will debate a security strategy for the region, but how will leaders frame the issue?