All Content: security policy

Public Security in El Salvador: Civilian Leadership and the Challenges Ahead

The Constitutional Court’s Dismissal of Generals Munguía Payés and Salinas
21 May 2013
Analysis & Commentary
On Friday, May 17, the Constitutional Chamber of El Salvador’s Supreme Court affirmed that the appointment of former General David Munguía Payés as Minister of Justice and Public Security and former General Francisco Salinas as director of the National Civilian Police violated the constitutional requirement that these posts be held by civilians.

Colombia Peace Process Update (May 20, 2013)

A progress report on the dialogues
20 May 2013
Analysis & Commentary
A progress report on the dialogues taking place in Havana between Colombia's government and the FARC guerrillas. Main issues: the FARC adds new negotiators, U.S. legislators send a letter, Bogotá hosts a massive peace march, and Colombians start debating transitional justice.

Vieques, a Target in the Sun

1 May 2013
Publication
From 1943 until May 1, 2003, the U.S. Navy used portions of the island of Vieques, Puerto Rico for military training ranges and ammunitions storage. WOLA Senior Fellow George Withers examines conditions on the island ten years after the Navy's withdrawal.

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.

10 Years after the End of the Navy's Controversial Bombings on Vieques, Report Finds U.S. Fails to Live up to Promises

26 Apr 2013
News

U.S. and International NGOs Request That President Obama Meet with Mexican Civil Society

25 Apr 2013
News
Earlier this week, WOLA, LAWG, and PBI sent a letter to President Obama requesting that he include a meeting with members of Mexican civil society during his upcoming visit to Mexico in order to consider human rights concerns from a non-governmental perspective.

As President Obama Heads to Mexico, Members of Congress Express Concern over Human Rights

Bipartisan letter calls for renewed attention to abuses
25 Apr 2013
News
On April 23, 24 members of Congress sent a letter to Secretary of State John Kerry expressing their concern about the persistence of grave human rights violations in Mexico and urging the administration to make the defense of human rights a central part of the U.S.-Mexico bilateral agenda.

U.S. Congress Supports Peace in Colombia

18 Apr 2013
Analysis & Commentary
In a letter to Secretary of State John Kerry, 62 members of Congress call for U.S. policy to support peace with justice as the country continues negotiations to end its internal conflict.

Colombia Peace Process Update (March 27, 2013)

A progress report on the dialogues
27 Mar 2013
Analysis & Commentary
A progress report on the dialogues taking place in Havana between Colombia's government and the FARC guerrillas. Main issues: finishing the land and rural development agenda item, moderate optimism about the timetable, support from the U.S. and neighboring governments.

Will You Support Peace in Colombia?

Ask Your Representative to Sign a Dear Colleague Letter Promoting Peace in Colombia
21 Mar 2013
Analysis & Commentary
The letter, co-sponsored by Reps. McGovern and Schakowsky, calls on the Department of State to support the Colombia peace process and calls for the implementation of aid and policies that promote a lasting peace.

Mexico’s New Military Police Force: The Continued Militarization of Public Security in Mexico

13 Mar 2013
Analysis & Commentary
Maureen Meyer examines Mexico's proposed gendarmerie—a force to be made up of tens of thousands of former soldiers—and its potential implications for human rights.

Notes from Tijuana

WOLA staff notes on citizen security, border security and migration in the border city
27 Feb 2013
Analysis & Commentary
Why is Tijuana safer? Why is migration down? Is the U.S. border-security approach effective? Some impressions after a brief visit to the border city

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.

Congressional Calls for Increased Border Security Must be Based on Facts

28 Jan 2013
News
As the U.S. Congress prepares to take on comprehensive immigration reform, WOLA experts call for fact-based solutions to border security and migration issues.

Border Security and Migration: A Report from South Texas

23 Jan 2013
Analysis & Commentary
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.

President Obama Reveals Plan to Reduce Gun Violence in the United States

U.S. Congress Should Act Swiftly to Pass Proposals that Address Violence on Both Sides of the Border
16 Jan 2013
News

Bi-National Petition Calls for Obama Administration Action to Halt Gun Trafficking to Mexico

15 Jan 2013
Publication

Consolidating "Consolidation": Colombia's Plan to Govern Neglected Territories Stumbles

Colombia's "security and development" zones await a civilian handoff, while Washington backs away from the concept
10 Jan 2013
Publication
WOLA Senior Associate Adam Isacson finds that a U.S.-backed effort to govern neglected territories in Colombia is stumbling.

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

9 Jan 2013
Analysis & Commentary

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