IRTF News

A panel of U.N.-backed human rights experts accused Nicaragua's government, led by President Daniel Ortega, of systematic human rights abuses amounting to crimes against humanity. The allegations stem from an investigation into the government's increasing crackdown on political dissent, with a focus on incapacitating opposition. The experts, operating under a mandate from the Human Rights Council, identified high-ranking officials involved in repression, including the head of the National Assembly, the Supreme Court, and the Chief Prosecutor's office. Nicaragua's government vehemently rejected the accusations, attributing them to manipulation by imperialist powers. The report highlighted the persecution of various groups, including university students, Indigenous and Black Nicaraguans, and members of the Catholic Church, as well as family members of government critics. The crackdown has extended beyond Nicaragua's borders, affecting those who fled repression. The U.N. report calls for the release of arbitrarily detained individuals and urges global leaders to impose sanctions on those involved in human rights violations.

The podcast series "Under the Shadow of the U.S.," recommended by Rights Action, delves into the history of U.S. intervention in Latin America. Produced by Michael Fox in collaboration with NACLA and The Real News Network, the series explores the impact of the Monroe Doctrine across the region. Season 1 focuses on Central America, covering topics such as the United Fruit Company's influence in Guatemala, the disappeared in Guatemala, innocent victims in El Salvador's civil war, and the revolutionary Radio Venceremos. The episodes shed light on the consequences of U.S. involvement, including the support for authoritarian regimes and the lasting effects on the people of these nations. The series aims to educate the public, educators, journalists, and activists on the historical context of Latin American struggles. The podcast is available at https://nacla.org/under-shadow.

Former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernández is currently facing drugs and weapons charges in a trial in New York City. Prosecutors allege that he ran a "corrupt and violent drug-trafficking conspiracy" during his time in office, accepting millions of dollars for facilitating cocaine shipments to the US. The trial has significant implications for Hondurans, as it examines the legacy of a divisive figure in the country's recent history. Hernández, known as JOH, had campaigned on promises of a better life for Hondurans and adopted "iron fist" policies to address drug-related crimes. However, his administration faced accusations of corruption, electoral fraud, and human rights abuses. The trial has drawn attention to the alleged complicity of the US government in supporting Hernández despite warning signs of his involvement in organized crime. Activists and journalists see the trial as an opportunity to demand accountability not only from Hernández but also from the US and Canada. Critics highlight the role of the Honduran news media in the scandal, accusing some outlets of being influenced or bought off by Hernández. Despite a change in leadership, concerns persist about ongoing violence and human rights abuses in Honduras. Some view Hernández as a symbol of larger criminal structures that continue to operate in the country. The trial is seen as a reflection of the deep-seated issues within Honduras, touching on various sectors of society, including government, media, business, and gangs.

The article discusses Colombian President Gustavo Petro's efforts to reform labor laws in response to social upheaval and economic inequality, inspired by the popular song "El Jefe" by Shakira. Petro aims to reverse decades of neoliberal policies and increase labor rights, addressing issues created by past reforms in the 1990s and early 2000s. The proposed reform faces opposition from conservative forces in Congress, and while progress has been made, it has not yet become law. The US embassy expressed support for the reform, and there is a call for popular mobilizations to pressure Congress. The success of Petro's labor reform remains uncertain in the volatile political climate of Colombia.

Our hearts are in Gaza, and they also continue to be in Guantanamo.  Read on about simple ways to advocate for the release of those unjustly bound in Guantanamo Prison. In peace and solidarity,

The WAT Organizing Team

In El Salvador's recent elections on February 4, President Nayib Bukele, accused of rigging the system and suppressing opposition, faced technical issues as the platform for uploading preliminary results crashed. A recount revealed allegations of fraud, casting doubt on the legitimacy of the election. Bukele's prior actions, including unconstitutional reelection bids, authoritarianism, and reforms favoring his party, had already raised concerns about free and fair elections. The State of Exception, ongoing since March 2022, has led to mass arrests, repression of opposition, and control over public institutions. Despite concerns about the election process, Bukele's party, New Ideas (NI), secured a supermajority in the legislature. The results have sparked calls for the elections to be reconvened amid doubts about democratic conditions and the integrity of the electoral process. The opposition, including the Popular Rebellion and Resistance Bloc, has rejected the results, and claims have been submitted to annul the election. The discrepancy between Bukele's popularity and that of his legislators suggests skepticism among Salvadoran voters about one-party rule and raises questions about the true extent of Bukele's support.

Five years after he was lavished with praise by Donald Trump for “stopping drugs at a level that has never happened” – and two years after he was extradited in shackles to the US – the former Honduras president Juan Orlando Hernández is to stand trial in New York on Monday, accused of overseeing a “narco-state” and accepting millions in bribes from drug traffickers, including the former leader of the Sinaloa cartel, Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán.

National and international organizations demand that Honduran authorities respect the decision of the people of Tocoa to say NO to the petroleum coke thermoelectric plant and Emco's mining megaproject, among other demands. On Saturday, December 9, 2023, the people of Tocoa were called by the Municipal Corporation to participate in an open town meeting regarding the Ecotek petroleum coke thermoelectric project, one of the seven components of an iron oxide megaproject promoted by the "Emco Holdings" consortium of Ana Facusse and Lenir Perez. 

The water defenders' arrest signals both a crackdown on civil society under President Nayib Bukele and a signal that Bukele may seek to resume metal mining operations.

Washington, D.C. and San Salvador – On February 15, 245 international organizations from 31 countries delivered a petition demanding that the Salvadoran  Attorney General drop the politically-motivated charges against five prominent Water Defenders arrested on January 11, 2023.