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Latin America Monitor
Who is responsible for the Bogota, Colombia bombing this week?

Some question why the FARC would carry out such a high profile attack as the May 15 Bogota bombing when the government has broached the idea of peace talks, writes a guest blogger.
Security 'quagmire' for Mexican presidential candidates

Many Mexicans are weary of the sharp rise in violence that has accompanied Calderón's military-led strategy against drug traffickers. So why aren't presidential hopefuls offering alternatives?
Can Colombia's Santos unify the Americas?

Building consensus is important as the Americas struggle with high crime and violence. At this weekend's Summit of the Americas in Colombia, all eyes are on President Santos.
Latin America Monitor
Colombia to reassess policy of extraditing drug traffickers to US

Many think extradition to the US is a trafficker's worst nightmare, but many negotiate with US law enforcement for more lenient sentences resulting in dramatically reduced jail time, says a blogger.
FARC hostage release signals possible end to Colombia's internal conflict

Yesterday, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), one of Latin America’s oldest guerrilla organizations, signaled the beginning of a possible end to Colombia’s half-century-old internal conflict. (Colombia's recent campaign against FARC was backed by $7 billion in US aid.)
Latin America Monitor
Bolivia says no to cocaine, but yes to coca

As Latin America debates decriminalizing drugs, nowhere is the coca-cocaine tension more prevalent than in Bolivia, writes guest blogger Jackie Briski.
Latin America Monitor
If Venezuela joins the Mercosur economic bloc, will it follow the rules?

Venezuela could find its often renegade diplomacy reined in if and when it joins Mercosur. But the likely big winner would be Brazil.
Trade deals: US-Colombia FTA ratified, but will it help Colombian workers?

Trade deals with Colombia, Panama, and South Korea were ratified last night. Progress to protect Colombian trade union members has been made, but the murder rate of Colombian workers remains high.
Latin America Monitor
Colombian intelligence agency's latest scandal: leaking docs to drug lord

The DAS, Colombia's scandal-ridden intelligence service, is alleged to have provided intelligence – including identities of undercover agents – to one of the region's most wanted drug lords.
Latin America Monitor
The legacy of 9/11 for Latin America

After 9/11, US agencies turned their attention toward the Middle East and away from the fight against organized crime in Latin America.
Terrorism & Security
Turkey-Israel ties fall to new low in response to UN flotilla report

Turkey expelled Israel's ambassador today in protest over a UN report that justified Israel's blockade of Gaza, though not the fatal raid on a mainly Turkish flotilla that sought to run it.
Latin America Monitor
Colombia ushers in a new security strategy with defense minister change

Rodrigo Rivera steps down amid the perception that security in Colombia has deteriorated in the past year. Massacres have become almost a weekly occurrence, and kidnappings are up 9 percent.
Latin America Monitor
High court boots Sandra Torres out of Guatelmala's presidential race

The former first lady divorced President Alvaro Colom to sidestep Guatemala's ban on presidential dynasties. But a ruling from the country's highest court still determined her ineligible.
Latin America Monitor
Colombia's new security push

President Juan Manuel Santos announced a strategic shift in Colombia's struggle against guerrilla rebels and narco-paramilitaries, in part via improved cooperation between government agencies.
Latin America Monitor
Colombian military chief's FARC comment may chill ties with Venezuela

Adm. Edgar Cely said that members of the guerrilla group are hiding in Venezuela, a claim that Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos has avoided in order to boost relations with Caracas.
Latin America Monitor
Is Colombia's FARC rebounding?

A Colombian think-tank argues that the guerrilla group has retaken the initiative in key regions, and that security forces have thus far failed to adapt to the conflict's changing conditions.
Global News Blog
Google Ideas's new 'think-do' tank takes on violent extremism

Some 220 invited delegates – victims, NGO workers, and former extremists – met for Google Ideas's Summit Against Violent Extremism in Dublin, Ireland. They couldn't be accused of having low aspirations.
Latin America Monitor
ELN rebel group makes a comeback in Colombia

Colombia's ELN rebel group, often forgotten, is on the rise thanks to a belated involvement in the drug trade and alliances with both the FARC and new narco-paramilitary groups.
US boosts funds to fight Central American drug crime

But even with more money, Central American countries still face an uphill battle in fighting inefficiency and corruption that hinder their anticrime efforts.
New FARC offensive suggests shift in Colombian rebels' strategy

The guerrilla group attacked a military contingent Tuesday, killing two civilians and wounding 10. But the Colombian government says the attack is a sign of the rebels' desperation.
Latin America Monitor
Central America's elites must fund their own state security, expert says

Testimony at a recent US Senate hearing on US-Central American security cooperation showcased one of the region’s key problems: countries do not collect enough taxes to win the fight against organized crime.
Venezuela-Colombia ties remain strong despite Chávez's reported links to FARC

Newly published findings that Venezuela financed the FARC rebel group in Colombia seem unlikely to harm growing economic and diplomatic links between the two countries.
Walid Makled's extradition case highlights warming Venezuela-Colombia ties

Colombian President Santos looks likely to announce the extradition of alleged drug kingpin Walid Makled to Venezuela during a meeting Saturday with Chávez.
How Colombia's President Santos made peace with the judiciary

Colombia's legal reforms are key for securing passage of a new US-Colombia free trade agreement. President Juan Manuel Santos is meeting today with President Obama to discuss the issue.
Backchannels
In extradition of Walid Makled, Colombia weighs ties with US, Venezuela

Both Venezuela and the US seek the extradition of suspected drug kingpin Walid Makled from Colombia. President Santos must decide whether to placate Chávez or Washington.