Advocacy for Human Rights:
WOLA’s Lasting Impact
We advocate for human rights across the Americas!
Connecting human rights defenders, social justice advocates, and civil society in Latin America with Washington for over 50 years.
What We Do
We create a lasting impact for human rights through advocacy efforts in Washington and throughout Latin America
Partner
We collaborate with courageous human rights leaders and justice advocates who bring unique on-the-ground perspectives.
Research
We draw on decades of expertise to deliver critical policy analyses and propose targeted policy reforms.
Advocacy
We combine cutting-edge communications and advocacy strategies to influence the policy debate, convene diverse actors, reach key audiences, and engage policymakers.
Impact
We work together to change policies and create lasting impact for human rights, democracy, and social justice in the Americas.
Behind the scenes:
WOLA influences U.S. policy
Assessing the administration’s policies towards Latin America
Throughout the year, WOLA published pieces on what Trump’s executive orders mean for Latin America, the impact of the cancellation of the majority of U.S. assistance to the region, an assessment of the administration’s first 100 days, and the impact of the State Department’s restructuring and proposed cuts to foreign aid.
Testifying in Congress on migrant rights, security cooperation, and civic space
Staff were called to testify in Congress three times during the year. We raised our opposition to reviving the brutal “Remain in Mexico” policy, support for maintaining U.S. assistance for judicial and rule-of-law programming instead of a return to failed “drugs-and-thugs” approaches to countering organized crime, and the impact of anti-NGO legislation on civil society organizations in El Salvador and Nicaragua.
Preserving U.S. funding for democracy and human rights in Latin America
WOLA’s advocacy in Congress helped maintain key conditions on FY2026 U.S. foreign assistance for Central America and Colombia; human rights funding for Colombia; support for democracy programming globally, including $50 million for Venezuela; and recognition of the need to prioritize programs that address the drivers of migration and support host communities.
Putting a spotlight on the fentanyl crisis in the United States and cooperation with Mexico
Alongside parents in the U.S. directly affected by overdoses and addiction, WOLA staff participated in a major delegation to urge Congress to adopt a compassionate, evidence-based, public health approach to drug consumption rather than punitive drug-war policies. The delegation highlighted the need for a new framework in U.S.-Mexico cooperation and raised concerns about proposals to use military force to combat fentanyl trafficking, laying the groundwork for continued joint advocacy.
Reaffirming the role of Congress in authorizing the use of lethal force
WOLA participated in a coalition of organizations supporting congressional initiatives to curtail the administration’s illegal boat strikes, including votes on War Powers Resolutions in the Senate and House.
Supporting congressional oversight over executive actions
Throughout the year, WOLA staff provided information and analysis to Congress to develop hard-hitting questions in hearings with administration officials and supported letters from Members of Congress to the administration on issues including the independence of Colombia’s judicial system and the termination of Temporary Protective Status for Venezuelans.
Placing a spotlight on abuses in El Salvador
WOLA briefed several members of Congress prior to their trips to El Salvador, including a visit to Maryland resident Kilmar Abrego, who was unlawfully deported and imprisoned in the country. We supported a Senate resolution requesting a report from the U.S. Department of State on the Government of El Salvador’s compliance with internationally recognized human rights and letters to the administration that raised concerns over torture and inhumane prison conditions in El Salvador and requested the text of the U.S. agreement with El Salvador to unlawfully transfer and detain migrants in the CECOT prison.
Encouraging U.S. support for election observation in Honduras and scrutiny over executive actions
WOLA supported bipartisan legislation directing the Secretary of State to develop a comprehensive strategy to monitor and oversee Honduras’s general elections, strengthen support for electoral observation, and assess risks to democratic governance. Following President Donald Trump’s pardon of former President Juan Orlando Hernández, we supported congressional resolutions and other actions seeking scrutiny over human rights abuses associated with Hernández’s administration.
Our Priorities
WOLA responds to the changing dynamics in United States policy and in Latin America. Over the years, WOLA evolved from raising awareness of human rights violations to also providing critical research and policy analysis. We have become a leading human rights advocacy organization by effectively combining strong ties to the region with strategic connections to U.S. and international policymakers. WOLA cooperates with a diverse array of human rights defenders, social justice advocates, and civil society organizations. Through WOLA’s work in Washington and in Latin America, we collaborate in developing strategies to amplify these voices and propose effective policy solutions.
Today WOLA addresses contemporary human rights challenges with research, advocacy and strategic initiatives in these priority areas:
Annual Report
Tracking Lasting Impact
Explore WOLA’s annual report to see our impact in advancing human rights through policy analysis, partnership-building, and strategic advocacy. Our reports highlight achievements, challenges, and the progress we’ve made in shaping policies that protect human rights.
Take action now
Support WOLA’s mission to uphold human rights through advocacy and research and make a lasting impact on human rights in the Americas.
Join the conversation on how to advance human rights, promote social justice, and defend democracy throughout the Americas. Let’s join our efforts to ensure a future where justice prevails.
