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In a trial involving former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez, a witness accused an unnamed member of the Israeli embassy in Colombia of participating in a cocaine ring. The testimony revealed details of a money-laundering scheme linked to the drug trade. The witness, Luis Perez, a convicted drug trafficker, disclosed this information while testifying against Hernandez. Perez claimed that the embassy official transported large sums of money for the Sinaloa cartel between Honduras and Colombia. The allegations, though unverified, raised broader questions about Israel's involvement in Latin America and its historical ties to government and drug smuggling in the region. Hernandez, who faced charges of drug trafficking and weapons offenses, denied any wrongdoing. The trial highlighted the complex relationships between governments, drug cartels, and foreign entities in the region, shedding light on the extent of corruption and complicity in the drug trade.

News Article

The article discusses the recent intervention of the Biden administration in the presidential election in Guatemala, supporting the center-left candidate, Bernardo Arevelo. Arevelo's surprising victory faced opposition from the conservative establishment in Guatemala, including the outgoing president and ultra-conservative lawmakers. In response, the Biden administration, concerned about the threat to democracy, applied pressure on the Guatemalan elite to accept the election outcome. This included canceling visas for nearly 300 Guatemalans, prompting protests and eventually leading to Arevelo taking office on January 15, 2024. The article reflects on Guatemala's history of U.S. interference, particularly the 1954 CIA intervention that ousted President Arbenz, and suggests that the recent U.S. intervention marks a commendable shift toward supporting democracy in the region. The piece raises questions about the future stability of Arevelo's presidency given the opposition he faces within Guatemala.

News Article

Rights Action commemorates the 8th anniversary of the assassination of Berta Caceres and the attempted killing of Gustavo Castro. The current trial of former Honduran president Juan Orlando Hernandez (JOH) in New York for operating a drug trafficking cartel from within the Honduran government adds significance to this anniversary. The 'Putting the U.S. and Canada on Trial Campaign,' led by former Rights Action colleague Karen Spring, aims to expose the corruption and impunity of the U.S. and Canada in supporting a military-backed, drug-trafficking regime in Honduras for nearly 13 years. Berta Caceres, a victim of the U.S. and Canadian-backed coup in 2009, dedicated her life to activism against repression, militarism, and human rights violations. Despite charges laid against individuals connected to the coup, justice remains elusive due to the political and economic elites' influence. The message encourages continued activism and struggle against injustices, inequalities, and environmental exploitation, embodying Berta's legacy and vision for a better world.

News Article

The article reports coordinated attacks on LGBTI+ communities in El Salvador by President Nayib Bukele and Argentinian President Javier Milei following their speeches at the CPAC conference. Milei focused on banning inclusive gender language in the government, while Bukele's government removed gender and sexual diversity references from schools and healthcare clinics. In response, the "Movimiento Ampliado LGBT+ de El Salvador" released a statement on Zero Hate Day, criticizing the attacks as a smokescreen to divert attention from broader societal issues, such as economic struggles, police abuse, and a democratic crisis. The statement emphasizes that targeting the LGBTI+ community will not address systemic problems and calls for solidarity, denouncing injustice and organizing against discrimination.

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