Topic: Washington Office on Latin America

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At US border, era of fence-building, manpower 'surge' at an end

A strategy shift is under way at the US border patrol, with intelligence and risk to national security taking priority over adding more fences and additional manpower. Why the change?
Latin American police get 'citizen friendly' to fight bad reputation

Latin American police, seen by many in the region as part of the problem rather than the solution to crime, are trying to boost their involvement in and response to their communities.
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.
Kofi Annan, George Shultz say drug war a failure

A new report calls the 'war on drugs' a failure. The claim isn't new, but hearing it from an ex-UN head and a former US secretary of State adds new weight to the criticism.
The battle to become Peru's next president

Analysts predict a tight June 5 runoff after this weekend's presidential vote. Left-wing candidate Ollanta Humala is expected to face Congresswoman Keiko Fujimori, daughter of the imprisoned former president Alberto Fujimori.
UN questions Mexican Army's role in drug war

A United Nations report calls on the Mexican government to consider withdrawing the military from the streets amid a spike in human rights complaints.
Arrest of Guatemala's No. 1 drug-trafficking suspect shows growing US role in region

US and Guatemalan forces Wednesday arrested Juan Ortiz Lopez, known as "Chamale,” a week after President Obama pledged $200 million to combat drug trafficking in the region.
Deadly Chile prison fire puts heat on Latin America's crowded jails

The Chile fire, started by rioting prisoners, has drawn fresh attention to the poor conditions, lack of guards, and gang violence rampant in Latin American jails.
David Hartley and Lake Falcon: symbols of Mexico's ineffective judiciary, police

To many it comes as little surprise that Mexican authorities have yet to recover the body of American tourist David Hartley, allegedly shot by Mexican 'pirates' on Falcon Lake.
Colombia offers clues for solution to Mexico drug war

The Mexico drug war is pushing officials to take heed of Colombia, which made progress with social welfare programs and acknowledgment that force alone doesn't work.
Ciudad Juárez killings focus US-Mexico meeting on security

The US delegation for meetings in Mexico Tuesday is dominated by security officials – an indication of how relations between the two countries are changing, especially given the recent Ciudad Juárez killings.
UN: Latin America undermining drug war by decriminalizing drugs

The UN, in its annual report released today, said Latin America is undermining the drug war by decriminalizing small amounts of drugs.
US and Colombia sign accord for US to access military bases

Critics of Colombia President Álvaro Uribe's decision to sign the accord say it is 'unbalanced' for Colombia. Far-left and moderate leaders alike have expressed concerns about an increasing US presence in the region.
How will the Honduras crisis play out?

Will interim Honduran leader Roberto Micheletti agree to talks with ousted President Manuel Zelaya? Or could violence force a change?
US applies Colombia antidrug lessons to Afghanistan

A new strategy in Afghanistan to combat the opium trade draws on US experience curbing cocaine shipments in Latin America.
Drug war may dominate US-Canada-Mexico summit

President Obama arrives in Guadalajara for two days of meetings with President Felipe Calderón of Mexico and Prime Minister Stephen Harper of Canada.
Mexico's Army is violating human rights, groups say

The US should withhold key counternarcotics funds from Mexico until progress is made, argue several human rights organizations in the US and Mexico.
Mexico's drug war seeps southward, too

From Guatemala to Panama, Central America is becoming a battleground for Mexican cartels.