Latin America suffers toll of corruption
Though hardly surprising, the cross contamination of corruption and crime suggests that stopping the bloodshed will take more than best practices and government reforms. It means freeing courts, lawmakers and police from the grip of powerful cartels and their official sponsors, who have a vested interest in preserving the shadows. Look for more crowds in the Guatemalan streets in the days ahead.
Anti-corruption protests spread to Honduras with demands that President Hernández resign
Approximately 5,000 protesters Friday demanded Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernández’s resignation after he was accused by the opposition of having accepted illegal funds from the Honduran Social Security Institute (IHSS) to finance his presidential campaign in 2013. The protest in Tegucigalpa is the latest in a wave of discontent that has swept through Central America, after Guatemalans took to the streets for five consecutive weeks to demand the resignation of President Otto Pérez Molina.
US silent on Northern Triangle as anti-corruption protests spread to Honduras
For critics already skeptical of the idea that increased U.S. aid to security forces accused of rampant human rights violations will address the root causes of migration from Honduras and other Northern Triangle countries and improve governance there, the latest allegations of corruption in Honduras further complicate the picture.
Protesters across Honduras take on alleged social security embezzlement
A protest movement organized over social media in Honduras has led to large demonstrations over corruption allegations in cities around the Central American country. The protesters are upset over a scandal involving a purported multimillion-dollar embezzlement of social security funds, with some of the money allegedly going to finance the governing political party. Among other things, they are calling for President Juan Orlando Hernandez to resign.
Honduran leader acknowledges campaign funds tied to scandal
Honduras’ president acknowledged Wednesday that his election campaign received financing from businesspeople linked to a social security embezzlement and graft scandal that has sparked large protests, but denied any personal involvement. President Juan Orlando Hernandez said his National Party informed him that the funds involved 10 checks totaling about $150,000 in donations during his race for the Central American nation’s top office two years ago.
Corruption scandals in Guatemala fuel demands for political resignations
Corruption scandals in Guatemala are fueling ongoing public protests across the country. Dozens of officials have been arrested and a slew of high-ranking politicians, including the country’s vice-president, have resigned in recent weeks. Many power brokers within Guatemala’s government – including President Otto Molina – built their careers in the military special forces during the country’s 36-year-long civil war. Now, the wave of scandals has sparked a popular movement with people in the streets calling for everything from the president’s resignation to deep systemic change. For more on the situation, FSRN’s Shannon Young spoke with Central America-based independent journalist, Sandra Cuffe.
On May 7th, officials from the U.S. Embassy in Guatemala together with officials from the CICIG met with Otto Pérez Molina to discuss the situation of political turmoil in Guatemala. On May 8th, Baldetti finally resigned. The question remains: Why did the U.S. Embassy exercise its power to demand Baldetti’s resignation and what strategic interests is the U.S. government after in this current political turmoil?
Change through art: Latin America’s other revolution
Art is no longer aimed at the elite; it is a tool to overcome trauma and displacement, loneliness and despair. And nowhere is that more needed than on a continent where our cities glimmer at the centre but hide favelas on their fringes, where depleted mines and forests ravage the land and crime and drug abuse the people – a constant reminder of our unequal distribution of wealth and opportunity. Activist artists reach out to those who are disadvantaged. Their stories matter, and move us. They lift the human spirit and celebrate the talent hidden behind the dirt and desolation. And they show us that there are many Fridas among us, quietly creating a lasting legacy for us all.
Mexico: Where a story becomes deadly
According to Reporters without Borders, 81 journalists have been killed in Mexico between January 2000 and September 2014. More than half of those cases remain unresolved. It is one of the most dangerous countries in which to practise the profession, with the states of Michoacan, Veracruz, Tamaulipas and Guerrero proving particularly treacherous.
Red Cross ‘squandered millions’ in Haiti relief efforts
After raising about $500m in donations meant to help rebuild Haiti following the 2011 catastrophic earthquake, the Red Cross managed to only build a meagre six homes in the country, according to a joint investigation by the news agencies Pro Republica and NPR. The prominent US aid organisation says it has provided homes to more than 130,000 people, “but the actual number of permanent homes the group has built in all of Haiti is six”, the report released on Wednesday said.
Colombia under fire: 400 displaced following military offensive on FARC rebels in Cauca
A renewed commitment to the peace talks and a bilateral ceasefire would stem some of the bloodshed of the last few weeks, but given the myriad of actors and interests at play in Colombia’s conflict, a lasting peace will require much more. “Peace will not be possible if there are no protections for the defense of human rights and no mechanisms for the participation of civilians, social organizations and social leaders in peace building,”wrote the Cauca Network for Life and Human Rights.