All Content: organized crime

“In Someone Else’s Shoes:” An artistic event in support of the Movement for Peace with Justice and Dignity

Video
More than 100 artists, along with the Movement for Peace with Justice and Dignity, come together to hold an event where music, video, and social change converged to give voice to the victims of violence in Mexico, launching a campaign called "In Someone Else's Shoes." Watch the campaign ads here.

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?
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

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.

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

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.

A Cautionary Tale: Plan Colombia's Lessons for U.S. Policy Toward Mexico and Beyond

Publication
Whenever people discuss solutions to Mexico’s out-of-control violence, someone will inevitably bring up Colombia as a “model.” The report concludes that the ‘success’ of the past several years in Colombia is only a partial, and fragile, victory at best—and it has come at an unacceptably high human and institutional cost.

New Report on Mistakes of Plan Colombia and Lessons for Latin America

A Cautionary Tale: Plan Colombia's Lessons for Mexico and Beyond
News
Today the Latin America Working Group Education Fund (LAWGEF), the Center for International Policy (CIP), and WOLA release A Cautionary Tale: Plan Colombia's Lessons for Mexico and Beyond, a new report that dissects the Colombian experience of the past ten years

Diego Luna, Javier Sicilia, Sergio Aguayo of Alianza Civica, and WOLA promote international campaign against arms trafficking

"Stop Gun Smuggling: 3 Things President Obama CAN Do" asks the Obama administration to adopt three measures that would counter illegal arms smuggling from the United States to Mexico.
News
This morning, Javier Sicilia, Diego Luna, Alianza Civica, and the Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA) hosted a press conference in the Museum of Memory and Tolerance to promote the international campaign Stop Gun Smuggling: 3 Things President Obama CAN Do.

Petition President Obama to Stop Illegal Arms Trafficking to Mexico

Three Actions that Do Not Require the Approval of Congress
Publication
Mexico has the obligation to do a better job to avoid these weapons entering the country, however the United States also has to do its part to better control who has access to these weapons, not only for solidarity with Mexico, but for the families in the United States that have links to Mexico.

Guatemalan Soldiers Sentenced to 6,060 Years for 1982 Massacre

A Step toward Justice
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.

El Caminito

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

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
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
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

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
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
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?

Tackling Urban Violence in Latin America: Reversing Exclusion through Smart Policing and Social Investment

Featuring strategies in Rio de Janeiro, Medellin, Ciudad Juarez, and Santa Tecla
Publication
This report features attempts to improve citizen security by combining law enforcement and social investment in marginalized communities most affected by crime.

The OAS talks citizen security

Adriana Beltrán and Victoria Wigodsky in San Salvador
Publication
The OAS General Assembly is meeting right now in El Salvador, and this year's theme is citizen security. WOLA's senior associate for citizen security, Adriana Beltrán, is there. Adam talks to Adriana and Victoria Wigodzky of the Argentina-based Center for Legal and Social Studies (CELS).

Tackling Urban Violence in Latin America

WOLA Releases Report Comparing Innovative Approaches to Citizen Security
News
Today, as the Organization of American States (OAS) 41st General Assembly focuses on “Citizen Security in the Americas,” WOLA released a new report on innovative approaches to reduce urban violence.

OAS General Assembly to Emphasize Citizen Security Amidst Mounting Crime and Violence

WOLA will be in attendance in San Salvador
News
The upcoming OAS General Assembly, has as its theme “Citizen Security in the Americas,” a key issue given the alarming levels of violence in the region.