Latin America
US State Department finds Russia Responsible for Disinformation Campaign in Latin America
On Nov. 7, a report from the U.S. Department of State (DOS) announced the discovery of a significant Russian disinformation apparatus operating in Latin America. The disinformation campaign is allegedly being conducted by The Social Design Agency (SDA), an informational entity that the European Union called “a Russian IT company closely linked to Russian political power.”
Supporters of Brazil’s Bolsonaro Call for a Military Coup
Brazil held a second round of presidential elections after no candidate won an outright majority in the first round on Oct. 2. The runoff race was between the incumbent far-right Jair Bolsonaro and leftist Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
El Salvadoran Crackdown on Gang Violence Leads to Prison Overcrowding
El Salvador’s crackdown on gang violence has resulted in over 55,000 arrests since March. As the number of detentions surges, the prison population has more than doubled.
Mexico’s Militarization of Public Security Accelerates
Last Friday, Mexico’s Chamber of Deputies voted to keep the military on the streets until 2028.
Chile Rejects Proposed Constitution as Too Progressive
Thirty-two years have passed since Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet left office, but the constitution established during his rule is still in place. The main objective of the current administration, under President Gabriel Boric, has been to write a new one—a task completed one month ago. However, a surprisingly high 62 percent of Chilean voters rejected the proposal.
Attorney General Files Constitutional Complaint Against Peruvian President, Alleges Corruption Within Government
A little more than a year after taking office, Pedro Castillo, Peru’s president, faces a constitutional complaint filed by the country’s attorney general against him on Tuesday. “We have found very serious indications of a criminal organization that has taken roots in the government,” said Patricia Benavides, Peru’s top prosecutor, in a statement to congress.
Mexico files lawsuit against US gun manufacturers for their role in trafficking and violence
In a speech to Mexico's Senate, Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard announced that Mexico will file a new lawsuit against several US gun manufacturers in Arizona. Before this announcement, the Mexican government had already brought lawsuits against US companies that they claim are contributing to the illegal arms trade in Mexico.