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En este episodio de la serie del mes del Orgullo de Latin America Today, Maureen Meyer, vicepresidenta de Programas de WOLA, conversa con Braulio Abarca, activista LGBTIQ+ nicaragüense exiliado, defensor de derechos humanos, y cofundador del Colectivo Nicaragua Nunca Más, sobre lo que significa defender los derechos de las comunidades LGBTIQ+ desde el exilio. Desde 2018, más de 900 mil nicaragüenses se han visto forzados al exilio. Esa cifra incluye a defensores de derechos humanos como Braulio, quien tuvo que salir del país tras la crisis sociopolítica desatada bajo la dictadura de Daniel Ortega y Rosario Murillo — y que, años después, tuvo que exiliarse por segunda vez, esta vez de Costa Rica a España, perseguido por la represión transnacional del régimen. Braulio ofrece un relato franco de la precariedad legal, las redes de apoyo limitadas, y la tensión constante entre sobrevivir y seguir militando en un país que no es el propio. También habla de lo que persiste dentro de Nicaragua: una "triple discriminación" que enfrentan las personas LGBTIQ+ por su identidad, por oponerse a la dictadura, y por otras identidades que se entrecruzan, incluyendo casos documentados de transfeminicidio y crímenes de odio que con frecuencia quedan impunes. La conversación cierra con una reflexión sobre lo que lo mantiene en la lucha —la verdad, la justicia y la esperanza del retorno— y con un llamado claro a la comunidad internacional: protección temporal para las personas desplazadas, presión sostenida sobre la dictadura, y acompañamiento a largo plazo para la futura reconstrucción democrática de Nicaragua. Este episodio es parte de la serie del mes del Orgullo de WOLA, que destaca los derechos LGBTQ+, la democracia y el espacio cívico en las Américas.
En este episodio especial del mes del Orgullo de Latin America Today, la presidenta de WOLA, Carolina Jiménez Sandoval, conversa con Renata Jank Vivas Antonelli, activista y defensora de derechos humanos de la Fundación Santamaría, una organización con sede en Cali, Colombia, que lleva dos décadas documentando la violencia, defendiendo derechos y construyendo poder para las comunidades trans. En Colombia, ser una mujer trans todavía significa enfrentarse a una esperanza de vida de entre 27 y 33 años. Esa cifra sola — décadas por debajo del promedio nacional — habla de la brecha entre los derechos que existen en papel y la realidad que viven las comunidades trans cada día. Renata ofrece una evaluación franca de las condiciones que enfrentan las mujeres trans en Colombia, un país que a menudo se presenta como modelo regional de gobernanza progresista, pero donde persiste la violencia estructural e institucional contra las personas trans. Habla del concepto de estructuras antiderechos: redes coordinadas de poder económico, político y religioso que no solo están frenando los avances recientes, sino que se organizan activamente a nivel transnacional para revertir décadas de conquistas logradas con mucho esfuerzo. La conversación también explora cómo se ve la resistencia en el terreno — desde la casa trans de Santamaría en el suroccidente colombiano, hasta las mesas de coordinación a nivel nacional, pasando por el impulso a una ley integral de derechos trans que lleva el nombre de Sara Millerey, una mujer trans cuyo transfemicidio conmocionó a Colombia y al mundo. Y cierra con una visión: un futuro en el que ser quienes son no les cueste la vida a las personas trans. Este episodio es parte de la serie del mes del Orgullo de WOLA, que destaca los derechos LGBTQ+, la democracia y el espacio cívico en las Américas.
W tym odcinku zapraszam Cię do wysłuchania rozmowy z Emilią Brzuską, która pomaga uwolnić blokady i czerpać radość z życia. Rozmawiamy o tym, dlaczego sama silna wola to za mało. Emilia, łącząc wiedzę z Ajurwedy oraz podejście do pracy z podświadomością w ujęciu metody PSYCH-K, pokazuje, jak działa umysł, jak zmiany i podświadome przekonania łączą się z doszami – Vatą, Pittą i Kaphą – oraz proponuje proste ćwiczenie, dzięki któremu możesz zmienić swoje „automaty”. Serdecznie zapraszam Cię do wysłuchania tej inspirującej rozmowy, która odbyła się w ramach Ajurweda Summit. Jak zawsze możesz posłuchać nas w formie podcastu lub obejrzeć na YouTube. Notatki do podcastu znajdziesz na stronie:https://agni-ajurweda.pl/354 Do niedzieli 7 czerwca możesz jeszcze dołączyć do bezpłatnego 7-dniowego wydarzenia online Bootcamp Odmładzanie z Ajurwedą. Otworzy on zapisy do programu Odmładzanie z Ajurwedą. Tutaj możesz dołączyć do Bootcamp: https://webinar.agni-ajurweda.pl/bootcamp-odmladzanie-z-ajurwedaZ serca zapraszam Cię do naszego nowego projektu Agni+, czyli ajurwedyjskiej platformy edukacyjnej z wszechstronnym wsparciem, w którym skorzystasz zarówno ze spotkań na żywo ze mną i Michałem jak i z biblioteki pomocnych materiałów. Jest to miejsce, w którym rozgościsz się w Ajurwedzie. Tutaj znajdziesz wszystkie informacje:https://kurs.agni-ajurweda.pl/noweJeśli tak jak nas fascynuje Cię ajurwedyjskie podejście do zdrowia i życia i myślisz o dołączeniu do Szkoły Ajurwedy, to zapraszam Cię do zapisu na listę osób zainteresowanych kolejną edycją tutaj: https://agni-ajurweda.pl/sa-lo/ Dzięki temu niczego nie przegapisz.
This episode examines the first round of Colombia's presidential election, which took place on May 31, 2026, and previews the June 21st runoff between two starkly different candidates. Gimena Sánchez-Garzoli, WOLA's director for Colombia and the Andes, provides deep insight into the candidates, voter concerns, and the election's implications for U.S.-Colombia relations. The first round produced some surprises. While human rights activist and senator Iván Cepeda advanced as expected with 40.9% of the vote, the first-place finisher was criminal defense lawyer and political outsider Abelardo de la Espriella with 43.7%. Taken together, right-of-center candidates already exceed 50%, suggesting challenging math for Cepeda in the runoff. Sánchez-Garzoli notes that despite fears of political violence—given the assassination of candidate Miguel Uribe Turbay in the past year and Colombia's deteriorating security situation—election day proceeded peacefully. The candidates represent fundamentally different visions for Colombia. De la Espriella, a wealthy lawyer who once advised the AUC paramilitary group during peace talks and has represented controversial figures, proposes an "iron fist" security approach. His platform includes ending peace negotiations, building ten mega-prisons, mass detentions, aggressive coca eradication, and legalizing firearms ownership. Economically, he embraces Argentina's Milei-style deregulation and reviving the fossil fuel sector. He has also proposed withdrawing Colombia from the Inter-American Court of Human Rights and United Nations human rights bodies. Cepeda, by contrast, is a philosopher and longtime human rights advocate whose father, a Communist Party senator, was assassinated during the systematic elimination of the Patriotic Union party. Known for his measured, intellectual style, Cepeda was instrumental in Colombia's 2016 Peace Accord and would continue President Gustavo Petro's approach—advancing agrarian reform, pursuing negotiations with armed groups through "total peace," and transitioning away from extractive economic models. Voter concerns centered overwhelmingly on security and the economy. Sánchez-Garzoli explains that while Petro's ambitions of addressing centuries of inequality in just a few years proved unrealistic, the security situation has genuinely deteriorated. U.S.-Colombia relations under either candidate promise turbulence, though of different kinds. President Trump publicly endorsed de la Espriella while labeling Cepeda a "radical leftist Marxist." De la Espriella has expressed interest in joining Trump's "Shield of the Americas" security initiative and implementing a "Plan Colombia 2.0," while Cepeda has condemned the U.S. "boat strikes" and other military interventions as violations of Latin American sovereignty and international law. Looking toward the June 21 runoff, Sánchez-Garzoli warns that Colombia remains fragile and at risk of violence, particularly given President Petro's claims of fraud and the close expected margin. The choices of centrist voters remain uncertain, and it is hard to predict an outcome.
To miasto nie wyłaniało się powoli z mroków średniowiecza, lecz zostało wycięte w gęstym sosnowym lesie jako pokazowa inwestycja i cywilizacyjny skok II Rzeczypospolitej. Jest produktem nie tylko pilnej potrzeby, lecz także ambicji stworzenia nowoczesnego zaplecza dla Centralnego Okręgu Przemysłowego. Stalowa Wola to unikatowe laboratorium architektury, w którym luksusowa elegancja art déco i klinkierowe fasady przedwojennych urzędów spotykają się z powojenną ekspresją betonu i monumentalizmem socrealizmu. To tutaj idea miasta ogrodu zderzyła się z potęgą ciężkiego przemysłu. Całość tworzy spójny, industrialny organizm, który ciężko znaleźć w innym miejscu w Polsce. Autor: Maciej Czarnecki Artykuł przeczytasz pod linkiem: https://www.vogue.pl/a/stalowa-wola-architektura-przewodnik
W Polsce zagrał szesnaście sezonów. W dwunastu z nich zdobywał medal mistrzostw Polski. Grał w największych polskich klubach na czele z Jastrzębskim Węglem, ZAKSĄ Kędzierzyn-Koźle i Aluronem CMC Wartą Zawiercie. Zaliczył też epizody we Włoszech i w Turcji. Dzisiaj, pomimo 42 lat na karku, nie zakłada końca kariery, choć - jak sam twierdzi - psychicznie jest na to gotowy. Gościem Łukasza Kadziewicza w kolejnym odcinku podcastu "W cieniu sportu" jest Jurij Gładyr.
Why does Warsaw look so different from every other European capital? In this episode of Talk Eastern Europe, Nina Panikova speaks with British writer and journalist Owen Hatherley about the dramatic history that shaped Poland's capital – from wartime destruction and communist-era rebuilding to modern skyscrapers and experimental urban planning.They discuss Warsaw's modernist housing estates, socialistrealist architecture, the iconic Palace of Culture and Science, and why the city remains one of Europe's most misunderstood capitals. Is Warsaw chaotic, visionary, unfinished – or all three at once?If you're interested in architecture, urban history, Central Europe, communism, post-socialist transformation, or the future of European cities, this episode is for you.Places in Warsaw (and beyond) mentioned in the interview:Żoliborz, one of the northern districts of Warsaw. Narkomfin building, a block of 25 flats known for its constructivist architecture in Moscow, Russia.Praga, a district of Warsaw, Poland. It is on the east bank of the river VistulaConstitution Square, a monumental urban square in Warsaw built in the 1950s as a flagship project of socialist realism.Muranów, a special area in Warsaw's history located adjacent to the Wola and Śródmieście districts. Most of it was incorporated into the Warsaw Ghetto during the Second World War.Palace of Culture and Science, a notable high-rise building in central Warsaw, Poland. With a total height of 237 meters, it is the second-tallest building in both Warsaw and PolandNowy Świat (New World Street), one of Warsaw's most famous and vibrant historic streets.New Belgrade (Novi Beograd) is the largest and most modern district of Belgrade, SerbiaCentral Department Store, ‘Smyk', a modernist building in Warsaw.Koło Housing Estate of the architects Szymon and Helena Syrkus.Sady Żoliborskie, a celebrated modernist housing estate and sub-district in northern Warsaw.Palace of the Soviets, was a project to construct a politicalconvention centre in Moscow on the site of the demolished Cathedral of Christ the Saviour. It was never built. The Palace of Parliament ( previously People's House ), the seat of the Romanian parliament and the heaviest building in the world. Talk Eastern Europe is the podcast from NewEastern Europe magazine - your trusted source for in-depth analysis and expert perspectives on Central and Eastern Europe, Russia, and the post-Soviet space. ABOUT THIS PODCASTWe publish twice weekly:Available on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts andall major platforms.JOIN THE COMMUNITYNew Eastern Europe Magazine Bimonthly publication with exclusive long-formanalysis. → Become a member: https://neweasterneurope.eu/become-a-member-of-new-eastern-europe/ Support on PatreonJoin our community for bonus content, early access, behind-the-scenes insights, and access to our exclusive WhatsApp group where we discuss the news in real-time. → Join the Talk Eastern Europe community: https://www.patreon.com/talkeasterneuropeBrief Eastern Europe NewsletterWeekly briefing sent out every Monday with newsupdates, expert commentary, and our editorial picks - free to your inbox. → Subscribe: https://briefeasterneurope.eu/subscribe FOLLOW USInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/neweasterneuropemag/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NewEasternEurope/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/new-eastern-europe/Twitter/X: https://x.com/NewEastEurope
A year after the arrest of Salvadoran human rights lawyer and anti-corruption advocate Ruth Eleonora López Alfaro, WOLA's Latin America Today podcast revisits her case and the broader situation unfolding in El Salvador. Ruth López, who worked with the human rights organization Cristosal, was arrested on May 18, 2025, when police entered her home late at night. Since then, she has been held in detention under conditions that rights groups say reflect the growing erosion of due process and civil liberties under President Nayib Bukele's government. In this episode, WOLA's Corie Welch speaks with Luis Benavides, Ruth López's husband, and Noah Bullock, Executive Director of Cristosal, about Ruth's detention, the climate of fear in El Salvador, and the increasing use of political imprisonment against critics and human rights defenders. Luis recounts the night Ruth was arrested and the uncertainty that followed as authorities moved her between detention facilities while withholding information from her family and legal team. Noah discusses how Cristosal's investigations into corruption and human rights abuses made the organization — and Ruth herself — targets of the government's escalating repression. The conversation also examines El Salvador's prolonged state of exception, which has led to the mass incarceration of 90,000 people since 2022. While the government has framed the emergency measures as necessary to combat gang violence, rights organizations have documented widespread abuses, including arbitrary detention, torture, enforced disappearances, and severe restrictions on due process. Together, they reflect on what Ruth's case reveals about political imprisonment in El Salvador, the growing risks facing journalists and civil society organizations, and the importance of international solidarity. Guests Luis Benavides is the husband of Ruth López and has become a public advocate for her release and right to a fair and public trial. Noah Bullock is the Executive Director of Cristosal, a leading human rights organization that was forced to relocate operations from El Salvador to Guatemala amid increasing repression. Additional Resources Read more about WOLA's work on El Salvador Learn more about Cristosal's documentation of human rights abuses
Schreib ein Kommentar- Folge 198 - NBM Oberkrämer - deutscher Doppelsieg in WOLASupport the showstartbandpodcast@web.de
This episode examines the aftermath of Peru's first-round presidential election held on April 12, 2025, recorded just five days later with results still not fully finalized. Host Adam Isacson speaks with Cynthia McClintock, a professor of Political Science and International Affairs at George Washington University who has studied Peruvian politics for over four decades. The conversation describes an extraordinarily fragmented and polarized electoral landscape. With 35 candidates on the ballot, the leading vote-getter—Keiko Fujimori, daughter of former authoritarian president Alberto Fujimori—led the count with only about 17 percent of the vote. The race for second place remained too close to call between Roberto Sánchez, a leftist candidate running under the mantle of impeached former president Pedro Castillo, and Rafael López Aliaga, a right-wing populist who served as mayor of Lima. The runoff, between candidates who will combine for less than 30 percent of the first-round vote, is scheduled for June 7th. McClintock traces Peru's current political dysfunction to the period following the 2016 election, during which Fujimori's party discovered the power of congressional impeachment. Peru has cycled through nine presidents in ten years, and McClintock argues that a corrupt governing coalition has consolidated power, particularly since Castillo's impeachment in December 2022. The discussion highlights the deep geographic and cultural divisions in Peruvian society. The gap between Lima and "las provincias"—Indigenous-majority rural and mountainous regions—manifests starkly in voting patterns. This division traces back centuries and reflects ongoing perceptions of discrimination and exclusion, even as economic indicators have improved. Organized crime and security are voters' primary concerns. While Peru's homicide rate remains low by regional standards, it has more than doubled since 2021-2022. Extortion has become particularly urgent. Yet paradoxically, Peru's economy continues to grow, buoyed by high commodity prices for copper and gold, though much mining activity is illegal and environmentally devastating. McClintock expresses concern about the future of accountability and democratic institutions. The newly reconstituted Senate grants Fujimori's party approximately one-third of seats, with significant power over appointments. On U.S.-Peru relations, she notes the current government has stayed under Washington's radar and is proceeding with a $3.5 billion F-16 purchase, though the Chinese-built Chancay port remains a potential point of tension. The episode concludes with McClintock explaining how the chaotic 35-candidate field happened by design: Fujimori's party had previously canceled a primary voting provision that would have winnowed the field, calculating that extreme fragmentation would allow them to win with a small plurality. Despite the grim political outlook, McClintock emphasizes the resilience of Peru and its people. Download this podcast episode's .mp3 file here. Listen to WOLA's Latin America Today podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, or wherever you subscribe to podcasts. The main feed is here.
Jakub Kosmowski left a career in marketing to start the vegetable CSA farm Farma Wola in Poland. In this interview, he tells us how he adapted the marketing principles he used with Fortune 500 companies to develop a market for and sell CSA shares for his farm. Jakub tells us how any type of farm can use the four Ps of marketing- “product, place, price and promotion” to think about the big picture before putting effort into marketing. Then we compare the merits of the different marketing channels- email vs social media vs paid advertising- to decide which channels make sense for your farm and how to repurpose the same content across multiple channels. In the process we talk about how to avoid some of the mistakes that even big companies make with things like Super Bowl ads, and how to set realistic objectives for marketing campaigns. He has suggestions for how to fix campaigns that are getting good reach but not generating sales. Jakub tells us how he uses affiliate marketing with local businesses to drive CSA signups. We also discuss how and why it's important to think like your customer, and lots of other tips that will help you raise your marketing game this season! Connect With Guest: Website: jakubkosmowski.com farmawola.pl Instagram: @farmawola Podcast Sponsors: Huge thanks to our podcast sponsors as they make this podcast FREE to everyone with their generous support: There are a lot of farm sales platforms out there, but there's only one that's cooperatively owned by farmers. That's GrownBy — your all-in-one solution to simplify farm sales. GrownBy makes online farm sales easy and affordable; setting up your shop is free, and you only pay when you sell. Join over 900 farms who have already signed up for GrownBy, at grownby.com. BCS two-wheel tractors are designed and built in Italy where small-scale farming has been a way of life for generations. Discover the beauty of BCS on your farm with PTO-driven implements for soil-working, shredding cover crops, spreading compost, mowing under fences, clearing snow, and more – all powered by a single, gear-driven machine that's tailored to the size and scale of your operation. To learn more, view sale pricing, or locate your nearest dealer, visit BCS America. Farmhand is the virtual assistant built for farmers—helping CSAs scale sales, run error-free fulfillment, and deliver 5-star service. Whether you're at 100 members or 1,000, Farmhand helps you grow without burning out. You've heard us—and our farmers—right here on the Growing for Market Podcast. Explore more stories and learn more at farmhand.partners/gfm. Nifty Hoops builds complete gothic high tunnels that are easy to install and built to last. Their bolt-together construction makes setup straightforward and efficient, whether it's a small backyard hoophouse, or a dozen large production-scale high tunnels- especially through their community build option, where professional builders work alongside your crew, family, or neighbors to build each structure -- usually in a single day.Visit niftyhoops.com to learn more. Farming is hard. Running it shouldn't be. Tend helps you plan your season, map your farm, and track every task from seed to sale. No spreadsheets, no guesswork, just seamless workflows. Tend is the all-in-one farm management platform that brings together planning, field mapping, fulfillment, real-time inventory, sales, labor, traceability, and accounting in one easy platform. Built for small market gardens, CSAs, and large diversified farms. Get started with a free account at Tend.com. No credit card required. If you grow for market, you know performance is everything. That's why so many farmers are turning to Burpee's Farmers Market. Dedicated to professional growers, Burpee is now offering non-GMO seeds in larger quantities – bred and selected for standout flavor, strong yields, and the kind of visual appeal your customers crave. Burpee's been doing this for 150 years, and they're still creating new varieties with growers like you in mind. You can check out the full lineup at Burpee.com/FarmersMarket. Subscribe to our magazine- all new subscriptions include a FREE 28-day trial!
Por el Mes de la Mujer, estamos lanzando un episodio especial de Latin America Today con una conversación con Collette Spinetti — activista trans uruguaya, profesora de literatura y la primera mujer trans en ocupar un puesto de secretaria de Estado en Uruguay. En este episodio, Collette conversa con Carolina Jiménez Sandoval, Presidenta de WOLA, sobre lo que significa romper barreras históricas como mujer trans en un cargo público, el avance global de los movimientos antiderechos y su trabajo en Uruguay para avanzar en la igualdad en un mundo cada vez más desigual. Sobre Colette Spinetti Collette Spinetti es activista trans uruguaya, profesora de literatura y una figura pionera en la vida pública de América Latina. Fue la primera profesora trans del Uruguay y actualmente es la primera mujer trans en ocupar un cargo de Secretaría de Estado, como Secretaria de Derechos Humanos bajo la presidencia de Yamandú Orsi. Defensora de larga trayectoria de los derechos LGBTQ+, de las mujeres y de las personas privadas de libertad, en su carrera ha liderado organizaciones trans en Uruguay, incluidas la Unión Trans del Uruguay y el Colectivo Trans del Uruguay, y fue electa presidenta del Comité Directivo Trans de ILGA Mundo. También es secretaria general de Corpora en Libertad, una red internacional de organizaciones que trabajan con personas LGBTI+ privadas de su libertad. En este episodio: El avance de los movimientos antiderechos en América Latina y el mundo — y por qué Colette considera que el miedo del patriarcado a perder su poder está en la raíz de este fenómeno La importancia de unir los movimientos sociales — feminista, trans, afrodescendiente y sindical — en torno a objetivos comunes sin perder su especificidad El trabajo en la Secretaría de Derechos Humanos y la lucha dentro de Uruguay por continuar invirtiendo en programas y políticas que promuevan la igualdad, desde la educación hasta los derechos laborales. Lo que significa gobernar desde un enfoque de derechos humanos — y la discriminación que Colette sigue enfrentando, incluso desde un alto cargo
For Women's Month, we're releasing a special episode of Latin America Today featuring a conversation with Ana Lorena Delgadillo Pérez — a Mexican human rights lawyer with over two decades of experience working on enforced disappearances, femicides, migrants' rights, and women's rights across Mexico and Central America. In this episode, Ana Lorena speaks with WOLA's Corie Welch about what the crisis of enforced disappearances looks like today, the outsized role women have played in confronting it, and what enforced disappearances in the context of U.S. immigration enforcement tells us about the state of democracy and rule of law. About Ana Lorena Delgadillo Pérez Ana Lorena Delgadillo Pérez is a Mexican human rights lawyer with over two decades of experience working on enforced disappearances, femicides, and the rights of women and migrants across Mexico and Central America. She is the founder and former Executive Director of the Foundation for Justice and Democratic Rule of Law, a regional NGO working in Mexico, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras, where she has helped shape landmark legislation and build forensic and search mechanisms for disappeared migrants. She has litigated historic cases before the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, including serving as an expert witness in the Cotton Field case — one of the most significant rulings on femicide in the hemisphere. She currently serves as a member of the United Nations Expert Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances. In this episode: The context of enforced disappearances in the region — who is disappearing, who is responsible, and what impunity looks like on the ground How women across borders are supporting each other in the search for their loved ones The link between femicide and disappearances, and lessons from the landmark Cotton Field case Enforced disappearances in the context of U.S. immigration enforcement
En Pologne, après le veto du président Karol Nawrocki au plan européen Safe, qui doit permettre aux pays de l'UE d'augmenter leurs capacités militaires, le gouvernement pro-européen de Donald Tusk élabore une solution pour ne pas perdre les 44 milliards d'euros de crédit destinés à ce pays frontalier de l'Ukraine et principal bénéficiaire de ces prêts à taux préférentiel. Cette décision du président conservateur, qui refuse de s'endetter auprès de Bruxelles, divise le pays, et en particulier la petite ville de Stalowa Wola : elle abrite une usine d'armement historique et attend beaucoup des fonds qu'elle devrait recevoir. Un reportage de notre envoyé spécial à Stalowa Wola à retrouver en intégralité dans Accents d'Europe. À lire aussiPologne: le président Nawrocki prêt à mettre son «veto» au programme européen de défense SAFE
This episode assesses the "transition"—if that is the correct word—in Venezuela nine weeks after the January 3 U.S. military operation that extracted Nicolás Maduro. This conversation with Laura Dib, director of WOLA's Venezuela program, and Francisco Monaldi, director of the Latin American Energy Program at Rice University's Baker Institute for Public Policy, focus particularly on the role of oil, the country's largest source of foreign exchange by far. Dr. Monaldi acknowledges that oil revenues have increased significantly. However, these revenues now flow into a U.S.-controlled account. The lack of transparency around this fund—including unknown balances and unclear disbursement rules—is deeply concerning. Dib emphasizes that ordinary Venezuelans have yet to feel material improvements. Over 12.4 million out of perhaps 29 million Venezuelans facing severe humanitarian needs, and "when Venezuelans go to a supermarket right now, they don't really feel a change." While more than 600 political prisoners have been released since January, over 700 remain detained, and the repressive apparatus that sustained Maduro's government remains largely intact under Delcy Rodriguez's control. Dr. Monaldi explains that Venezuela needs approximately $100 billion in oil sector investment to restore production to levels seen twenty years ago. Yet the recent reform of Venezuela's hydrocarbons law grants the oil minister enormous discretion over tax rates and contract allocation, creating precisely the kind of uncertainty that deters serious investment. Monaldi and Dib note that Venezuela currently lacks even a published national budget, and its ranking as the third most corrupt country on Transparency International's Corruption Perceptions Index reflects the dismantlement of democratic institutions. Dr. Monaldi draws a parallel to post-Soviet Russia, warning that how oil contracts are allocated in the coming months could determine the country's trajectory for decades—either creating a transparent system or enriching a new class of oligarchs. Both guests stress that sustainable economic recovery is impossible without meaningful progress toward the rule of law. "Oil companies do not care about democracy... they do focus on the rule of law. And in the case of Venezuela, I don't think we will see any stable rule of law unless we get a transition to democracy," Dr. Monaldi says. With their current leverage, oil firms should push for democratic reforms as a condition of investment, Dib suggests. She calls on the U.S. Congress to exercise oversight and notes that the administration's stated goals—regional security and reducing migration—cannot be achieved without addressing the humanitarian emergency and rebuilding institutions. Both guests express concern that the Trump administration appears focused narrowly on oil production rather than the broader institutional reforms necessary for Venezuela's long-term stability. " I don't see any indication that a system is being built for this to happen in the proper way," Monaldi warns. Expectations are rising in Venezuela, but they will not be met without transparency, accountability, democracy, and the rule of law.
Jeśli temat wolnej woli budzi w tobie pytania, to nagranie pozwala przyjrzeć się temu bardzo bezpośrednio. Pokazuje, jak głęboko zakorzenione jest przekonanie, że to ty musisz wszystkiego dopilnować i podejmować decyzje. A jednocześnie odsłania, że życie wydarza się zawsze w relacji ze wszystkim, co cię ukształtowało i co cię otacza. Samo zobaczenie tego może zdjąć z ramion sporą część presji. Wtedy otwiera się przestrzeń, w której odpowiedzialność przestaje być brzemieniem.
Agaton Koziński skrytykował w Radiu Wnet sposób, w jaki rząd podchodzi do kwestii powrotu Polaków z rejonu objętego napięciami na Bliskim Wschodzie. Jego zdaniem problemem nie jest wyłącznie brak skutecznych działań, ale także próba przedstawienia bierności państwa jako racjonalnej i wystarczającej postawy.Publicysta zwrócił uwagę, że inne państwa europejskie podejmują realne kroki, by pomóc swoim obywatelom, podczas gdy polski rząd ogranicza się przede wszystkim do komunikatów i tłumaczenia, że ostrzeżenia zostały wcześniej opublikowane. W jego ocenie to zasadnicza różnica w rozumieniu roli państwa.Cała Europa sprowadza – Francuzi, Czesi, pierwsze przykłady z brzegu – a rząd nie sprowadza i, co więcej, nawet nie próbuje sprowadzać– mówił Koziński.Spór o rolę państwaKoziński podkreślał, że w tle tej sprawy toczy się dużo szerszy spór polityczny. Jego zdaniem chodzi o odpowiedź na pytanie, czy państwo ma być jedynie administratorem publikującym komunikaty, czy realnie działać na rzecz obywateli w sytuacjach kryzysowych.W tej logice obecny spór może – według publicysty – wybrzmieć mocno także w kampanii wyborczej. To nie będzie już tylko kwestia konkretnej ewakuacji, ale modelu państwa, którego oczekują wyborcy.Otrzymamy też odpowiedź, czy chcemy rządu, który jest de facto stróżem nocnym (…) czy chcemy rządu, który myśli w kategoriach pomagania swoim obywatelom– powiedział.
This episode is a conversation with John Walsh, WOLA's director for Drug Policy and the Andes, about the ongoing U.S. military attacks on civilian boats in the Caribbean and Pacific Oceans. When Walsh and host Adam Isacson recorded this episode, on February 13, 2026, 35 attacks had killed at least 131 people since September 2, 2025—an average of four killings every five days—and another attack later that day killed 3 more people. Walsh and Isacson just published a WOLA commentary, "The Boat Strikes are Still Happening: Five Things You Need to Know," warning against the dangerous normalization of extrajudicial executions carried out directly by the U.S. military. Five months into this campaign, the strikes are fading from public attention despite their illegality. Media coverage has dwindled from the intense scrutiny of September and the revelations about "double tap" strikes on survivors in December to a trickle of stories. This normalization poses dangers: the justifications being used could extend to other victims in other contexts, and elements of the U.S. military appear to be accepting unlawful orders. There is no congressional authorization for military force against drug traffickers. Under international law, the United States is not engaged in an armed conflict with drug cartels—designating groups as foreign terrorist organizations does not confer wartime authorities. From a drug policy perspective, Walsh argues these strikes are futile. After five months, there is no evidence of a disruption to cocaine supplies. Drug trafficking organizations are highly adaptive, with alternative routes readily available. The administration's own recognition that traditional interdiction didn't work led them to this extreme escalation, but killing traffickers at sea will not fundamentally alter market dynamics driven by constant demand and enormous profits under prohibition. The boat strikes, if "normalized," could prepare the ground for grave future outcomes. The administration's willingness to label anonymous victims as "narcoterrorists" creates a template for applying similar labels to domestic opponents—something already visible in the characterization of ICE critics and the victims of Chicago and Minneapolis shootings as "domestic terrorists." Walsh notes that President Trump has expressed his desire to deploy military forces against "the enemy within" on U.S. streets, and the compliance of Southern Command with these illegal orders suggests obedience to the president over the Constitution. "The illegality is not a bug, it's a feature," Walsh concludes. Walsh concludes by emphasizing the importance of litigation on behalf of victims' families, the moral voice of faith leaders, and continued media attention to prevent normalization. These strikes, he argues, are not a peripheral story but central to the administration's declared strategy of dominating the Western Hemisphere through coercion.
Wyczerpywanie się demokracji liberalnej, zorganizowanej wokół uświęcenia jednostki i jej kaprysów w ramach kolejnych „generacji praw człowieka”, stwarza potrzebę zorganizowania na nowo świadomości zbiorowej. Jest to zarówno po prostu dobre – jak mówił Maurras: po pierwsze, trzeba mieć rację – jak i słuszne. Państwo demoliberalne zawodzi bowiem na wielu polach i jest mało korzystne, a miejscami wręcz niebezpieczne dla narodu.
Czy Bóg ma jeden, „wykuty w skale” plan na Twoje życie? A jeśli się z nim rozminąłeś, to już po wszystkim?Jeśli źle wybrałeś, skręciłeś nie tam, gdzie trzeba, pogubiłeś się po drodze… to znaczy, że wypadłeś z Bożej woli?W tym odcinku „SOWINSKY Podcast" mierzymy się z jednym z najczęściej powtarzanych, a jednocześnie najbardziej obciążających duchowo zdań:
Following the Trump administration's January 3, 2026 military operation in Venezuela and its lethal strikes on boats suspected of carrying drugs, its threats of unilateral U.S. military action inside Mexico and Colombia have taken on new urgency. WOLA's Gimena Sánchez-Garzoli and Stephanie Brewer join Adam Isacson to examine what such actions would mean for two of Washington's most important partners in the hemisphere. The conversation opens with a sobering parallel: days before recording, Border Patrol agents killed Alex Pretti on a Minneapolis street in what appears to be another grossly unjustified use of lethal force. Both guests draw on their countries' painful experiences with security force violence to illuminate patterns now emerging in the United States: the demonization and victim-blaming, the battle over evidence and documentation, and the long struggle for accountability. The episode then turns to the mounting threats of U.S. military intervention. Trump has floated drone strikes and Special Forces operations in Mexico since his first term; now, after Venezuela, he has spoken of "hitting cartels on land." President Claudia Sheinbaum has drawn an absolute red line on sovereignty while simultaneously making unprecedented concessions. The fear, Brewer notes, is that the threat of unilateral action could coerce Mexico into accepting operations before or after the fact. In Colombia, the relationship has deteriorated dramatically. Once the strongest bipartisan partnership in the region, it has been battered by aid cuts that gutted programs built on decades of hard-won lessons and by counter-drug sanctiones aimed at President Gustavo Petro. A February 3, 2026 White House meeting between Trump and Petro now carries enormous stakes. Both governments need each other—on counter-drug cooperation, on managing Venezuelan migration, on regional stability—but both leaders are volatile and prone to escalation. The guests close with a clear-eyed assessment: militarized tactics against drug trafficking have failed for 40 years. Killing kingpins, striking labs, and adding groups to terrorist lists have never ended the drug trade. What actually works is building capable civilian justice institutions, reducing impunity, addressing corruption, and investing in the social and economic conditions that make organized crime attractive in the first place. A unilateral U.S. strike wouldn't end drug trafficking—but it could destroy the cooperation that any realistic strategy requires.
Historia kobiety, która powiedziała NIE.Postaw mi kawę: https://buycoffee.to/zbrodniezapomnianeWspieranie kanału:https://patronite.pl/ZbrodnieZapomnianehttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZsXqcUbVi03jDKVS-a2Dlg/joinŹródła internetowe: https://article-14.com/post/rukhmabai-the-life-and-times-of-a-child-bride-turned-rebel-doctor-by-sudhir-chandra--65efb696ca556 https://scroll.in/article/1063583/the-child-bride-who-challenged-patriarchy-and-became-one-of-indias-pioneering-women-doctorshttps://wrap.warwick.ac.uk/id/eprint/156812/1/WRAP-Dadaji-Bhikaji-Rukhmabai-%281886%29-ILR-10-Bom-301-Lammasniemi-2021.pdfSpołeczność:Grupa na fb: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1120954551591543Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zbrodniezapomniane/kontakt:✉️ e-mail: zbrodniezapomniane@gmail.com
El presidente Donald Trump ha aumentado la presión en contra de Nicolas Maduro. quien es acusado por el gobierno de Estados Unidos de ser el líder del Cártel de los Soles y de frenar el despliegue militar que desde mes de septiembre Trump ordenó para combatir a los cárteles del narcotráfico en el Mar Caribe. Esto ha aumentado la tensión en la región, por las posibles acciones que pueda tener el gobierno americano contra México. En este episodio, Mariel Ibarra, editora política en Expansión, platica con Laura Dib, Directora del programa de Venezuela en WOLA sobre cómo puede evolucionar esta ofensiva militar, las implicaciones que tiene para la región y como puede afectar a México. Las opiniones de este podcast son responsabilidad de quien las emite. Lo contenido en este podcast es emitido por su autora en su carácter exclusivo cómo profesionista independiente y no refleja las opiniones, políticas o posiciones de otros cargos que desempeña. Leemos sus comentarios en @ExpansionMx
In this series from the Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA), prominent decision-makers from across the Americas—those who have been at the heart of democratic governance—share personal reflections and insights on the meaning, challenges, and future of democracy in the region. In each episode, members of the WOLA team sit down with a current or former political figure from the Americas to explore democracy through different lenses: what it means to them, the challenges it faces, and why it remains essential today. Each conversation pairs democracy with a new dimension—transition, justice, leadership, and beyond.
El presidente Donald Trump ha aumentado la presión en contra de Nicolas Maduro. quien es acusado por el gobierno de Estados Unidos de ser el líder del Cártel de los Soles y de frenar el despliegue militar que desde mes de septiembre Trump ordenó para combatir a los cárteles del narcotráfico en el Mar Caribe. Esto ha aumentado la tensión en la región, por las posibles acciones que pueda tener el gobierno americano contra México. En este episodio, Mariel Ibarra, editora política en Expansión, platica con Laura Dib, Directora del programa de Venezuela en WOLA sobre cómo puede evolucionar esta ofensiva militar, las implicaciones que tiene para la región y como puede afectar a México. Las opiniones de este podcast son responsabilidad de quien las emite. Lo contenido en este podcast es emitido por su autora en su carácter exclusivo cómo profesionista independiente y no refleja las opiniones, políticas o posiciones de otros cargos que desempeña. Leemos sus comentarios en @ExpansionMx
This week, Kelly talks with Carolina Jiménez Sandoval about the state of play between the United States and Venezuela amid increasing tensions, military strikes, and continued economic upheavel in the country. Carolina Jiménez Sandoval is the President of the Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA). She holds over 20 years of experience in research and advocacy for human rights in the Americas and throughout the world.As a leader in the field with extensive experience in the region and Washington, she guides WOLA's team to achieve strategic impact in social justice and human rights. Read more about Carolina's work with WOLA here: https://www.wola.org/ She is a frequent contributor in English and Spanish to media outlets and publications across Latin America, the US and Europe, including the Washington Post, the New York Times, PBS, CNN, BBC, The Guardian, El País, Deutsche Welle, various academic journals, among others. She is a national of Venezuela and Mexico. The opinions expressed in this conversation are strictly those of the participants and do not represent the views of Georgetown University or any government entity. Produced by Abdalla Nasef and Freddie Mallinson. Recorded on October 24, 2025. Diplomatic Immunity, a podcast from the Institute for the Study of Diplomacy at Georgetown University, brings you frank and candid conversations with experts on the issues facing diplomats and national security decision-makers around the world. Funding support from the Carnegie Corporation of New York. For more, visit our website, and follow us on Linkedin, Twitter @GUDiplomacy, and Instagram @isd.georgetown
Frédéric François Chopin 1 March 1810 – 17 October 1849) was born in Żelazowa Wola and grew up in Warsaw.. A child prodigy, he completed his musical education and composed his early works in Warsaw before leaving Poland at age 20 and at 21, settled in Paris. He maintained an often troubled relationship with the French writer Aurore Dupin (known by her pen name George Sand). Chopin died in Paris in 1849 at age 39.
WOLA presents a new episode about El Salvador, coinciding with our awarding of our 2025 Human Rights Award to MOVIR, El Salvador's Movement of Victims of the Regime, which supports victims and families of arbitrary detentions carried out by President Nayib Bukele's government. In this conversation, Ricardo Valencia, assistant professor of public relations in the Department of Communications at California State University, Fullerton, explains why the current popularity of El Salvador's authoritarian president rests on a surprisingly fragile foundation. Dr. Valencia, a former journalist in El Salvador and an expert on political and activist communications, explains that Bukele is facing several challenges to his rule that even a slick propaganda operation cannot paper over. These include a lackluster economy, mainstream voters' discomfort with the regime's celebrations of cruelty and imprisonment, Bukele's relations with just one political party in the United States, the loss of emigration as an “escape valve” and a likely increase in deportations, and discontent with corruption. While Dr. Valencia doesn't foresee Bukele's downfall as imminent—he is very popular because of security gains and effective communications—the Salvadoran leader, he argues, is planting the seeds for a sharp drop in popularity. In the meantime, Valencia calls for constant, energetic accompaniment and defense of El Salvador's beleaguered civil society, independent media, and others fighting for democratic institutions and rights.
A special episode as part of WOLA's 2025 Human Rights Awards Month President Nayib Bukele's government has jailed nearly 2 percent of El Salvador's entire population—the highest incarceration rate in the world. Still, because violence has dropped sharply, political figures across Latin America speak about emulating Bukele's “security model.” But behind the videos of mega-prisons and tweets about plunging homicide rates lies a darker, less sustainable reality. In this WOLA Podcast episode, Adam Isacson speaks with Beatriz Magaloni (personal site / Stanford site), a political scientist at Stanford University and co-author (with Alberto Díaz-Cayeros) of a Foreign Affairs article published September 11, 2025: “Does the Bukele Model Have a Future?” Their conversation reveals what Magaloni calls “a system of state terror and resource extraction,” and explores why El Salvador's experiment in mass incarceration may ultimately collapse under its own weight. In fieldwork conducted since last year, Dr. Magaloni interviewed the families of hundreds of victims of the security crackdown, many aided by MOVIR, the Movement of Victims of the Regime, which WOLA is honoring with its 2025 Human Rights Award. “Our crime is to be poor,” families told her. Police and soldiers face monthly arrest quotas, Magaloni explains. Civilians can denounce neighbors by calling a hotline—and are sometimes paid $300 bounties. Poor Salvadorans, many in communities with little or no gang presence, end up seized and jailed in prisons like Izalco and Mariona, where conditions amount to systematic torture. This, Magaloni says, has turned the carceral system into “a machine that milks the poor.” Bukele's ongoing emergency decrees, renewed 42 times, now serve dual purposes: silencing critics and funding repression. Despite its popularity, Bukele's “model” rests on brittle foundations. Poverty remains over 30 percent and is not declining. The economy depends on remittances from abroad, not job creation. Corruption persists, while transparency laws and data access have been erased. Bukele's control of the media, polished propaganda videos, and rapid-fire social-media presence drown out criticism. Civil society's challenge, Magaloni argues, is to build equally powerful counter-narratives that humanize victims and expose hidden abuses. Drawing on decades of field research in Mexico and Brazil, Magaloni concedes that effective citizen security sometimes does require force, but points to past experiments that achieved short-term safety without repression, human rights abuse, or democratic dismantlement. These include efforts like community-based policing in Medellín or Rio de Janeiro's early UPPs, which showed progress before political will and funding eroded. Bukele “could have stopped six months in, admitted mistakes, freed the innocent—and he'd have deserved credit,” Magaloni says. “Instead, he institutionalized terror.”
Hablamos en Washington D.C. con Adam Isacson de la Washington Office on Latin America, WOLA; en Madrid con Haizam Amirah Fernández, director del Centro de Estudios Árabes Contemporáneos, y en Medellín con Samuel Castro, crítico de cine del diario "El Colombiano".
In this episode, Katie interviews Bobby about his incredible 8-day pilgrimage to Poland for the World Premiere of the movie Triumph of the Heart—a powerful film telling the story of St. Maximilian Kolbe, his heroic life, and his ultimate sacrifice at Auschwitz concentration camp.What started as a trip for a movie premiere quickly became a pilgrimage on mission—to help spread the word about this heroic saint and his untold story. Bobby shares what it was like to travel with the cast, crew, director, and producers, while visiting some of the most meaningful places connected to St. Max's life and legacy:✨ Stops along the journey:Warsaw – for the Red Carpet World Premiere event
Since January, the United States' migrant detention and deportation system, which was already troubled, has become increasingly opaque. Access to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facilities is restricted, internal oversight agencies have been hollowed out, and credible information about conditions inside is scarce. Yet reports that have emerged, some from those who have recently been deported, tell a troubling story echoing the darkest moments of recent U.S. immigration history. In late July and early August, researchers from WOLA and the Women's Refugee Commission (WRC) set out to pierce this “black box” by visiting cities in Honduras, Guatemala, and Mexico that are key deportation hubs. There, they interviewed deported migrants, service providers, advocates, experts, and government officials to learn what they are hearing about conditions in U.S. detention. The findings are disturbing. They point to a resurgence of family separations, cruel treatment, miserable, unhealthy conditions, and deportation processes that violate migrants' rights and dignity. With transparency mechanisms dismantled, these abuses are happening out of public view. In this episode, host Adam Isacson talks with two colleagues from WRC with whom he traveled: Zain Lakhani, WRC's director of Migrant Rights and Justice. Diana Flórez, a consultant to WRC, an attorney and expert on gender, transitional justice, development, and peacebuilding. During their travels, Isacson, Lakhani, and Flórez shared photos and initial findings in four “dispatches” published to our organizations' websites, from Honduras, Guatemala, Tapachula, and Ciudad Juárez. We heard consistent accounts of: Family separations: A larger number than expected of parents deported without U.S. citizen children, often without being given the choice of being removed with them. The crisis is approaching the scale of the “zero tolerance” family separations that shocked the nation in 2018. Inhumane conditions: Overcrowded cells, lack of medical care, and verbal and physical abuse by guards. Threats to the health of pregnant and lactating women and their children: Insufficient and poor-quality food, difficulty in obtaining medical attention, and even being forced to sleep on floors. (The podcast refers to a July 30 report on abuse in detention, especially of pregnant women and children, by the office of Sen. Jon Ossoff (D-Georgia).) Targeting of vulnerable populations: Harassment of LGBTQ+ individuals, especially trans individuals who are now detained with the gender to which they were assigned at birth. As Lakhani notes, “Historically… we were able to enter detention centers and visit them and speak with migrants,” but “now we're seeing the deliberate creation of a black box.” We hope that the WOLA–WRC delegation's findings will guide future, more intensive on-the-ground research enabling advocates to refer egregious abuses requiring legal action, build a rigorous archive of known cases, and inform public opinion and policymakers.
Nearly three years into President Gustavo Petro's term, his flagship “Total Peace” initiative is faltering. On this episode of the WOLA Podcast, Gimena Sánchez-Garzoli, WOLA's Director for the Andes, provides a sweeping overview of Colombia's peace and security reality.
For the second year in a row, what had been an uneventful, consensus-driven United Nations meeting on drug policy saw unexpected drama and signs of real change. At the 68th session of the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) in Vienna in March 2025, governments approved the formation of an independent expert commission to recommend changes to the architecture of global drug policy, which has changed little since the early 1960s. Colombia again played a catalytic role, as it did in 2024. But this time, the United States—under the new Trump administration—tried to block nearly everything, isolating itself diplomatically in the process. In this episode of the WOLA Podcast, Adam Isacson speaks with three experts who were in Vienna: Ann Fordham, Executive Director of the International Drug Policy Consortium (IDPC), a network of 195 organizations working to reform global drug policy. Isabel Pereira, Senior Coordinator for drug policy at DeJusticia, a Bogotá-based think tank and advocacy group. John Walsh, WOLA's Director for Drug Policy, who has tracked the UN's drug control system since the 1980s. The conversation traces the slow evolution of the UN drug control system—from decades of punitive consensus to today's shifting coalitions, unprecedented votes, and long-overdue reviews. Much of the episode centers on a breakthrough: a new resolution establishing an “independent external review” of the UN's own drug control institutions. For years, countries like Colombia have called for an honest assessment of the system's failings. Now, thanks to a resolution spearheaded by Colombia and passed over U.S. opposition, that review is happening. The details still matter: how independent the expert panel will truly be, who funds it, and whether the review can influence the hard architecture of the drug control treaties. “Vienna was very much a space where delegates would just pat each other on the back on how well we're doing the war on drugs,” Pereira said. “The spirit of Vienna created a sort of lockdown situation on debate, true debate,” added Walsh. “Civil society enlivened the Vienna atmosphere” in recent years, he noted, “with new debates, new arguments.” Now, this international space has become more dynamic. The guests also discuss coca leaf: its decades-old listing as a Schedule I narcotic, Bolivia's and Colombia's ongoing push for a scientific review, and the possibility of a pivotal vote in 2026. They stress how traditional knowledge—especially from Indigenous communities—must be recognized as legitimate scientific input during that review. Underlying it all is a major diplomatic shift. Colombia is using the UN system to demand drug policy grounded in health, human rights, and development—not militarized prohibition. But with Petro's term ending in 2026, it's unclear who will pick up the baton. Meanwhile, the Trump administration is signaling a return to zero-tolerance drug war policies—and burning bridges with potential allies in the process. “They behaved so terribly. I mean, they broke with all diplomatic niceties,” said Fordham. “The U.S. just went for it in their opening statement… It was frankly an embarrassing, but also pretty shocking statement.” Despite the uncertainty, all three guests agree: civil society is no longer on the sidelines. NGOs and experts are shaping debates, challenging rigid thinking in Vienna, and holding governments to account.
**This podcast is in Spanish. Stay tuned for an English summary! Este Mes de la Mujer, en WOLA lanzamos una serie especial de nuestro podcast para amplificar voces feministas que luchan por los derechos humanos en América Latina. En nuestro último episodio, conversamos con Ruth López, directora del programa de anticorrupción en Cristosal, sobre su trabajo en la lucha contra la corrupción y el autoritarismo en El Salvador. Nuestra invitada Ruth López es abogada, defensora de los derechos humanos y directora del programa de anticorrupción de Cristosal, una organización que trabaja en la promoción de derechos humanos, estado de derecho y la lucha contra la corrupción en El Salvador. Ruth ha sido reconocida por su valentía y liderazgo en la defensa de los derechos humanos en un contexto difícil, y fue incluida en la lista de las 100 mujeres más influyentes de 2024 de la BBC. Su trabajo se centra en la lucha por la justicia, la transparencia y el respeto de los derechos humanos en El Salvador, donde el autoritarismo y la corrupción están afectando el ejercicio de derechos fundamentales.
On March 15, 2025 President Donald Trump invoked the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 for only the fourth time in U.S. history. The target, this time, is citizens of Venezuela. His administration sent hundreds out of the country on the merest suspicion of ties to a criminal organization, the Tren de Aragua. In this explainer episode recorded on March 21, with help from WOLA's Venezuela Director Laura Dib and Central America Director Ana María Méndez Dardón, Defense Oversight Director Adam Isacson walks through what has happened over the past six dark days in U.S. history. The Alien Enemies Act did not use any standard of due process, and many of those sent out of the country, it is now very apparent, were documented in the United States and were not guilty of anything. All it took was for U.S. agents to decide that they did not like the way these young men looked. The Trump administration ignored a clear order from a federal judge to turn the planes around, and is now resisting that judge's demands for information. The result is one of the most severe constitutional crises in U.S. history, which is unresolved as of March 21st. Rather than simply deport them, the planes took 238 citizens of Venezuela straight to El Salvador, where authoritarian leader Nayib Bukele took them straight to a notorious mega-prison where those inside are cut off from the outside world and never seem to emerge. This alarming story is far from over, but this episode lays out some of the most pertinent facts and context in half an hour.
This Women's Month, WOLA launched a special podcast series to amplify feminist voices fighting for human rights in Latin America. Our second episode was our first-ever Spanish-language episode. Our president, Carolina Jiménez Sandoval, spoke with Quimy de León (Guatemala) and Sofía López Mera (Colombia), two feminist communicators and human rights defenders. We explored the crucial role of communication in human rights advocacy and how to approach it from a feminist perspective. We also discussed the additional challenges women in this field face, from gender-based violence to censorship. This episode is an English recap of that conversation. Our Guests Sofía López Mera is a journalist, lawyer, and human rights defender in Colombia. She works at the Corporación Justicia y Dignidad and is a member of the National Movement of Mothers and Women for Peace. Her work focuses on supporting grassroots communities affected by armed conflict, using popular communication as a key tool for organizing, mobilizing, and raising awareness about human rights. As a mother, she deeply understands the challenges women face in human rights advocacy and therefore embraces a feminist approach in her work. Quimy de León is a journalist, doctor, and historian from Guatemala with over 20 years of experience. She is the founder and director of Prensa Comunitaria, an alternative media outlet covering environmental issues, human rights, and the impact of extractivism on Indigenous communities in Guatemala. She also founded La Ruda, a feminist digital magazine focused on sexual and reproductive rights. In 2024, she was awarded the Press Freedom Prize by the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) for her bravery and commitment to community journalism in Guatemala.
**This podcast is in Spanish. Stay tuned for an English summary! Este Mes de la Mujer, en WOLA lanzamos una serie especial de nuestro podcast para amplificar voces feministas que luchan por los derechos humanos en América Latina. En nuestro segundo episodio, hablamos sobre comunicación, defensa de derechos humanos y feminismo. En nuestro primer episodio en español, nuestra presidenta, Carolina Jiménez Sandoval, conversó con Quimy de León (Guatemala) y Sofía López Mera (Colombia), dos comunicadoras feministas y defensoras de derechos humanos. Hablamos sobre el papel fundamental de la comunicación en la defensa de los derechos humanos y cómo hacerlo desde un enfoque feminista. También discutimos los desafíos adicionales que enfrentan las mujeres que se dedican a este trabajo, desde la violencia de género hasta la censura.
To kick off our series for International Women's Month, we sat down with WOLA President Carolina Jiménez Sandoval to discuss gender justice in the Americas. In this episode of the WOLA Weekly Podcast, Carolina reflects on her decades of experience as a human rights advocate and the crucial role of feminist movements in defending democracy. As President of WOLA, Carolina has chosen to make gender justice a strategic priority of the organization. In the interview, She shares with us her perspective on the troubling backlash against gender rights, why these rollbacks signal a deeper threat to democracy itself, and what WOLA is doing to fight back. Despite her analysis of a very difficult moment in history, she leaves us with a hopeful message: to remember the achievements of women from our past and to draw inspiration from their struggles. Tune in for an inspiring conversation on resistance, resilience, and the power of women.
In an expected but still stunning escalation, the Trump administration has imposed 25 percent tariffs on goods from Mexico and Canada, citing cross-border flows of fentanyl as justification. The move has sent shockwaves through U.S.-Mexico and North American relations, rattling markets and generating a general outcry. In this episode, Stephanie Brewer, WOLA's director for Mexico, and John Walsh, WOLA's director for drug policy, unpack the political, economic, and security implications of the tariff imposition and an apparent return to failed attempts to stop drug abuse and drug trafficking through brute force. Brewer breaks down how the tariffs and other new hardline policies, like terrorist designations for Mexican criminal groups and fast-tracked extraditions, are reshaping and severely straining the bilateral relationship. Walsh explains why Trump's focus on supply-side crackdowns is doomed to fail, drawing on decades of evidence from past U.S. drug wars. He lays out a harm reduction strategy that would save far more lives. The conversation concludes with an open question: is Donald Trump really interested in a negotiation with Mexico? Or is the goal a permanent state of coercion, which would explain the lack of stated benchmarks for lifting the tariffs? Links: See Brewer and Walsh's February 14, 2025 Q&A on “Tariffs, Fentanyl, and Migration: Updates on U.S.-Mexico Relations after Trump's First Month in Office.“ They covered this territory in a December 5, 2024 podcast episode, shortly after Trump—then the president elect—first signaled his intention to impose tariffs. The December 5 podcast also came with a Q&A: “Trump's Threats of Tariffs as a Response to Migration and the Fentanyl Overdose Crisis.” From the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: CDC Reports Nearly 24% Decline in U.S. Drug Overdose Deaths, February 25, 2025 From The Hill: Trump tariffs part of ‘drug war,' not ‘trade war': Commerce secretary, March 4, 2025
It’s hard to overstate the role immigrant workers play in the U.S. economy. Key industries rely on them — nearly half of meat-processing jobs, for instance, are held by immigrants. And many work in low-wage jobs that are vulnerable to exploitation. Ted Genoways, a reporter with the Food and Environment Reporting Network, said Trump’s promises of mass deportations is creating fear and uncertainty for immigrant workers, both authorized and unauthorized, as well as for the massive food companies that employ them. “If history is any guide, this will probably mean increased food prices, if only for companies trying to hedge against the possibility of something disastrous happening,” said Genoways. On today’s show, Genoways gives us a snapshot of the low-wage immigrant workforce’s role in our economy and unpacks how Trump’s deportation plans could disrupt America’s food supply. Plus, why aren’t food companies held accountable for exploiting their employees? And, we’ll get into what restrictions on the U.S. Agency for International Development could mean for Cuba. Plus, would you trust Kai with the aux? Here’s everything we talked about today: “This Week's Episode of Reveal: Immigrants on the Line” from Mother Jones Opinion | “How Trump's Deportation Plans Could Blow Up the Food System and Increase Migrant Labor” from Politico “Brooke Rollins, Trump's Agriculture Pick, Addresses Tariff and Immigration Impact on Farmers” from The New York Times “How Trump’s plan to deport undocumented immigrants threatens the workforce for U.S. farm workforce” from CBS News “Trump's Pause of U.S. Foreign Assistance to Latin America: An ‘America Last’ Policy” from WOLA “US secretly created ‘Cuban Twitter’ to stir unrest and undermine government” from The Guardian “Chappell Roan wins best new artist at the 2025 Grammy Awards” from AP News Got a question or comment for us? Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.
It’s hard to overstate the role immigrant workers play in the U.S. economy. Key industries rely on them — nearly half of meat-processing jobs, for instance, are held by immigrants. And many work in low-wage jobs that are vulnerable to exploitation. Ted Genoways, a reporter with the Food and Environment Reporting Network, said Trump’s promises of mass deportations is creating fear and uncertainty for immigrant workers, both authorized and unauthorized, as well as for the massive food companies that employ them. “If history is any guide, this will probably mean increased food prices, if only for companies trying to hedge against the possibility of something disastrous happening,” said Genoways. On today’s show, Genoways gives us a snapshot of the low-wage immigrant workforce’s role in our economy and unpacks how Trump’s deportation plans could disrupt America’s food supply. Plus, why aren’t food companies held accountable for exploiting their employees? And, we’ll get into what restrictions on the U.S. Agency for International Development could mean for Cuba. Plus, would you trust Kai with the aux? Here’s everything we talked about today: “This Week's Episode of Reveal: Immigrants on the Line” from Mother Jones Opinion | “How Trump's Deportation Plans Could Blow Up the Food System and Increase Migrant Labor” from Politico “Brooke Rollins, Trump's Agriculture Pick, Addresses Tariff and Immigration Impact on Farmers” from The New York Times “How Trump’s plan to deport undocumented immigrants threatens the workforce for U.S. farm workforce” from CBS News “Trump's Pause of U.S. Foreign Assistance to Latin America: An ‘America Last’ Policy” from WOLA “US secretly created ‘Cuban Twitter’ to stir unrest and undermine government” from The Guardian “Chappell Roan wins best new artist at the 2025 Grammy Awards” from AP News Got a question or comment for us? Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.
It’s hard to overstate the role immigrant workers play in the U.S. economy. Key industries rely on them — nearly half of meat-processing jobs, for instance, are held by immigrants. And many work in low-wage jobs that are vulnerable to exploitation. Ted Genoways, a reporter with the Food and Environment Reporting Network, said Trump’s promises of mass deportations is creating fear and uncertainty for immigrant workers, both authorized and unauthorized, as well as for the massive food companies that employ them. “If history is any guide, this will probably mean increased food prices, if only for companies trying to hedge against the possibility of something disastrous happening,” said Genoways. On today’s show, Genoways gives us a snapshot of the low-wage immigrant workforce’s role in our economy and unpacks how Trump’s deportation plans could disrupt America’s food supply. Plus, why aren’t food companies held accountable for exploiting their employees? And, we’ll get into what restrictions on the U.S. Agency for International Development could mean for Cuba. Plus, would you trust Kai with the aux? Here’s everything we talked about today: “This Week's Episode of Reveal: Immigrants on the Line” from Mother Jones Opinion | “How Trump's Deportation Plans Could Blow Up the Food System and Increase Migrant Labor” from Politico “Brooke Rollins, Trump's Agriculture Pick, Addresses Tariff and Immigration Impact on Farmers” from The New York Times “How Trump’s plan to deport undocumented immigrants threatens the workforce for U.S. farm workforce” from CBS News “Trump's Pause of U.S. Foreign Assistance to Latin America: An ‘America Last’ Policy” from WOLA “US secretly created ‘Cuban Twitter’ to stir unrest and undermine government” from The Guardian “Chappell Roan wins best new artist at the 2025 Grammy Awards” from AP News Got a question or comment for us? Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.
It’s hard to overstate the role immigrant workers play in the U.S. economy. Key industries rely on them — nearly half of meat-processing jobs, for instance, are held by immigrants. And many work in low-wage jobs that are vulnerable to exploitation. Ted Genoways, a reporter with the Food and Environment Reporting Network, said Trump’s promises of mass deportations is creating fear and uncertainty for immigrant workers, both authorized and unauthorized, as well as for the massive food companies that employ them. “If history is any guide, this will probably mean increased food prices, if only for companies trying to hedge against the possibility of something disastrous happening,” said Genoways. On today’s show, Genoways gives us a snapshot of the low-wage immigrant workforce’s role in our economy and unpacks how Trump’s deportation plans could disrupt America’s food supply. Plus, why aren’t food companies held accountable for exploiting their employees? And, we’ll get into what restrictions on the U.S. Agency for International Development could mean for Cuba. Plus, would you trust Kai with the aux? Here’s everything we talked about today: “This Week's Episode of Reveal: Immigrants on the Line” from Mother Jones Opinion | “How Trump's Deportation Plans Could Blow Up the Food System and Increase Migrant Labor” from Politico “Brooke Rollins, Trump's Agriculture Pick, Addresses Tariff and Immigration Impact on Farmers” from The New York Times “How Trump’s plan to deport undocumented immigrants threatens the workforce for U.S. farm workforce” from CBS News “Trump's Pause of U.S. Foreign Assistance to Latin America: An ‘America Last’ Policy” from WOLA “US secretly created ‘Cuban Twitter’ to stir unrest and undermine government” from The Guardian “Chappell Roan wins best new artist at the 2025 Grammy Awards” from AP News Got a question or comment for us? Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.
The director of WOLA's Venezuela Program, Laura Dib, joins the podcast to discuss the political, human rights, and diplomatic reality following Nicolás Maduro's January 10 inauguration. Maduro's new term begins amid severe tensions, as he plainly lost July 28, 2024 presidential elections and has employed waves of repression, including rounding up and in some cases forcibly disappearing political prisoners, to deny the result. Despite the context of repression and intimidation, Laura underscores that on January 9 Venezuelans still took part in 157 reported protests, including one with the participation of opposition leader María Corina Machado, who is in hiding. The response was further crackdowns, including the temporary detention of María Corina, the enforced disappearance of the son in law of the election's true winner Edmundo González Urrutia, and the enforced disappearance of Carlos Correa, director of NGO Espacio Público, who was recently released after being missing for nine days. With repression worsening and space closing for civil society—particularly through implementation of a harsh new NGO law—it is difficult to perceive a path forward. Laura emphasizes, however, the remaining areas of hope; possible cracks within the ruling coalition, significant consensus within the international community, and the persistent bravery of Venezuela's civil society and diaspora. Laura acknowledges the complexities of the deep-rooted corruption and private sector ties that make Maduro's hermetic regime difficult to assess and counter. She also discusses the confused and contradictory nature of the new Trump administration's likely approach to Venezuela. A transactionally minded president uninterested in democracy promotion is leading a group of officials with different, and potentially clashing, priorities: some are staunchly “anti-communist” but others are focused on stopping migration and enabling deportations to Venezuela. Laura also discusses the complexities of sanctions, economic collapse, and Venezuela's relations with its neighbors. The episode ends with a strong call for the international community to focus its efforts on supporting Venezuelan civil society and preserving the civic space that exists. For more up-to-date information, read Laura Dib's commentary “Venezuela: Authoritarianism and Resistance”; a commentary by Carolina Jiménez, President of WOLA, “Venezuela between repression and resistance,” and watch WOLA's recent event, “Autoritarismo y Resistencia: Análisis de la Situación en Venezuela.”
In this podcast episode WOLA's Central America Director, Ana María Méndez Dardón, reflects on Bernardo Arevalo's first year in office, as January 14, 2025 marks one year since the inauguration that followed his unexpected election. As we discussed with Ana María in a podcast episode shortly after his inauguration, Bernardo Arevalo and his Semilla party had a very difficult time reaching inauguration day, notably due to active obstruction from Guatemala's traditional, ruling elites, including the Attorney General's Office. While citizen mobilization, largely indigenous groups' mobilization, made it possible for Arevalo to democratically take office, the difficulties he and his party faced back then have remained, making it difficult to govern and, in turn, negatively affecting his popularity due to unmet expectations. Three prominent obstacles that the Arevalo administration will continue to face from his first year to his second, Ana María highlights, are the office of the Attorney General and the powerful presence of other known corrupt actors within the government; the instability of his cabinet paired with a small presence of his party in Congress; and the powerful private sector's ties to corrupt elite groups. The Attorney General's office has played an active role in blocking access to justice and promoting the persecution and criminalization of those who have been key to anti-corruption and human rights efforts, while maintaining the threat of forcibly removing Arevalo from office. Although Attorney General Consuelo Porras was sanctioned by the United States, along with 42 other countries, for significant corruption, Arevalo has determined that removing her would violate constitutional norms. (Her term ends in May 2026.) Ana María also notes alliances that Porras has cultivated with members of the U.S. Republican Party. Despite the obstacles, Ana María notes possibilities for growth, including the launch of an alternative business association, a new national anti-extortion effort, and negotiation efforts with Congress. Ana María also touches on the U.S.-Guatemala bilateral relationship during the Biden administration and expectations for the Trump-Arevalo relationship. During the Biden administration, it was evident that security and economic issues were top priorities, with notable bilateral engagement including multi-sectoral and multi-departmental efforts led by the Office of the Vice President to address the root causes of migration. It is uncertain whether the Trump administration will continue these efforts, and while some Republicans regard Arevalo as a strong democratic ally, the migration issue, particularly the incoming Trump administration's plans to deter and deport migrants, may be the topline item in the bilateral relationship. To follow Guatemalan developments, Ana María recommends independent media including Plaza Pública, Con Criterio, and Prensa Comunitaria.
WOLA's director for Colombia, Gimena Sánchez-Garzoli, is just back from taking a U.S. congressional delegation to Colombia. In addition to Bogotá, the group visited Cali and the Pacific Coast port of Buenaventura. The latter two cities are in the department of Valle del Cauca, Colombia's third most populous. Much of the population is Afro-descendant, and Buenaventura, on the coast is majority Black. Buenaventura has a vibrant and resilient array of community organizations that has played a greater role in local governance since a 2017 general strike. The government of Gustavo Petro, which took office in 2022, has fostered a negotiation between gangs operating in the city, part of its nationwide “total peace” policy. As at the national level, the results are mixed. The Petro government has sought to move forward many negotiations at once, and some are stalled. Implementation of the 2016 peace accord with the FARC suffers from bureaucratization and lack of organization more than from lack of political will. Rural areas are especially challenged: armed groups are strengthening in some areas, and the humanitarian situation has hit emergency levels all along Colombia's Pacific coast. The election of Donald Trump may presage a U.S. administration urging a return to failed hardline approaches of the past. Still, Gimena sees hope in urban, participatory peacebuilding efforts in places like Buenaventura, Medellín, and in Quibdó, the capital of Chocó. The remarkable resilience and persistence of Colombia's civil society, including Afro-Colombian and Indigenous communities in and near Valle del Cauca, continue to be a source of inspiration and innovation.
On November 25, President-Elect Donald Trump announced via social media that he would impose a 25 percent tariff on all imports from Mexico and Canada unless migration and fentanyl trafficking ceased entirely. The announcement caused widespread alarm, spurring a flurry of responses and an unclear conversation between Trump and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum. The event was instructive about what we might expect after Trump assumes the presidency in January, observe WOLA Director for Mexico Stephanie Brewer and Director for Drug Policy John Walsh. Brewer explained the "tariff threat" incident, how it plays into the political agendas of both Trump and Sheinbaum, and the danger of doing serious damage to a multifaceted, interdependent bilateral relationship. Host Adam Isacson, who covers border and migration policy at WOLA, joined the discussion to point out that Trump seeks to bully Mexico into carrying out a crackdown on migration that has, in fact, already been underway for some time with serious human rights implications. Walsh observed that demands on Mexico to crack down on fentanyl threaten a reversion to supply-side, prohibitionist approaches to a complex drug problem that not only haven't worked over the past 50 years, but may in fact have ceded much control to armed and criminal groups. The U.S.-Mexico border, and the bilateral relationship, may be marked by these episodes of threat and bluster for much of the next few years. Weathering this period will require civil society in both the United States and Mexico to play an aggressive role, demanding "steadiness, focus on facts, keeping things grounded in reality," and never losing sight of what better migration and drug policies would look like.
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