Just the Facts Podcast

The Week Ahead: February 5, 2013

info@justf.org (Just the Facts Project) — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 10:17:44 -0600

Adam looks at a rough patch in Colombia's peace talks, the aftermath of Brazil's tragic nightclub fire, and violence in Venezuela's prisons.

The Week Ahead: January 25, 2013

info@justf.org (Just the Facts Project) — Fri, 25 Jan 2013 14:28:34 -0600

Adam looks at the CELAC-Europe summit in Chile, uncertainty about Hugo Chávez's health in Venezuela, and the Colombia government-FARC peace talks.

The Week Ahead: October 8, 2012

info@justf.org (Just the Facts Project) — Mon, 08 Oct 2012 20:07:04 -0500

The results of Venezuela's elections are in. The U.S. Defense Department publishes a hemisphere policy statement. Pressure mounts to release Alberto Fujimori from prison. (Sound quality issues - recorded in a hotel room in Uruguay)

The Week Ahead: September 7, 2012

info@justf.org (Just the Facts Project) — Fri, 07 Sep 2012 16:38:25 -0500

Peace talks between the Colombian government and FARC are now official. Mexico's presidential transition moves ahead, with only modest changes foreseen on security. Honduran media reports indicate friction over shootdowns of suspected drug planes.

The Week Ahead: August 31, 2012

info@justf.org (Just the Facts Project) — Fri, 31 Aug 2012 19:53:15 -0500

Peace talks with the FARC guerrillas appear to be restarting in Colombia. In a strange incident, Mexican federal police fire on a car carrying CIA employees. 200 U.S. Marines are carrying out a counter-drug operation in Guatemala.

The Week Ahead: August 10, 2012

info@justf.org (Just the Facts Project) — Fri, 10 Aug 2012 10:37:54 -0500

Adam looks at Brazil's "Operation Agata" border-security exercise, the capture and release of trafficker "Chepe Luna" in Honduras, and the capture of "Sebastián," the most prominent trafficker in Medellín, Colombia.

The 25th anniversary of the Esquipulas II accords: Bill Goodfellow on Central America's peace processes

info@justf.org (Just the Facts Project) — Wed, 08 Aug 2012 15:44:54 -0500

25 years ago August 7, Central America's presidents signed an agreement that brought an eventual end to the country's civil wars. Adam talks to William Goodfellow, director of the Center for International Policy, who accompanied the Esquipulas process.

The Week Ahead: August 3, 2012

info@justf.org (Just the Facts Project) — Fri, 03 Aug 2012 11:19:49 -0500

Adam looks at cocaine in the Andes (again), Venezuela and Mercosur, the State Department's latest terrorism report, and a new House resolution on Ecuador.

The Week Ahead: July 27, 2012

info@justf.org (Just the Facts Project) — Sat, 28 Jul 2012 10:34:27 -0500

Adam looks at a troubling human rights decision in Peru, the pacification program in Rio de Janeiro, coca cultivation numbers in Colombia, and the death of Cuban dissident Oswaldo Payá.

The Week Ahead: July 20, 2012

info@justf.org (Just the Facts Project) — Sat, 21 Jul 2012 08:10:52 -0500

Adam covers indigenous groups' confrontations with authorities and guerrillas in southwest Colombia, El Salvador's constitutional crisis, and the nomination of the next Southcom commander.

The Week Ahead: July 13, 2012

info@justf.org (Just the Facts Project) — Fri, 13 Jul 2012 14:13:44 -0500

Adam talks about the new security strategy of Mexico's President-elect; recent violence in southwestern Colombia; DEA involvement in hostilities in Honduras; and U.S. campaign rhetoric on Venezuela.

The Week Ahead: Peru's New President, Press Freedom in Ecuador, U.S. Congress

info@justf.org (Just the Facts Project) — Sat, 30 Jul 2011 07:58:57 -0500

Adam discusses challenges facing newly inaugurated President Ollanta Humala in Peru; Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa's lawsuit against a newspaper; cuts in U.S. aid to Mexico and other ways that the U.S. Congress is affecting Latin America policy.

The Week Ahead: Free trade, drug reports, Hugo Chávez

info@justf.org (Just the Facts Project) — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 18:52:03 -0500

Adam goes over the Colombia and Panama free-trade agreements currently stalled in Congress, UN and U.S. findings about cocaine production, and increasing uncertainty in Venezuela about Hugo Chávez's health.

The Week Ahead: U.S. weapons in Mexico, Central America security conference, Bolivia coca

info@justf.org (Just the Facts Project) — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 16:28:13 -0500

Adam looks at a new Senate report on U.S. weapons' illegal flow into violence-wracked Mexico, next week's citizen security conference of Central American governments and donor nations, and security and coca-growing developments in Bolivia.

"Consolidating Peace" in Colombia?: Presentation by Adam Isacson

info@justf.org (Just the Facts Project) — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 09:52:28 -0500

Audio of Adam Isacson's presentation on efforts to "consolidate" security and governance in Colombia, given on June 13, 2011 at "Colombia 2020," a conference organized by the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

Trends in Latin American military spending: a conversation with SIPRI's Carina Solmirano

info@justf.org (Just the Facts Project) — Fri, 10 Jun 2011 10:38:04 -0500

South America's military budgets rose 5.8% in 2010, faster than any other region, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute's latest yearbook. Adam and Lucila Santos of WOLA talk with Carina Solmirano of SIPRI about her findings.

The Week Ahead: Ollanta Humala, OAS Citizen Security, Mexico violence

info@justf.org (Just the Facts Project) — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 12:57:46 -0500

Adam reviews Ollanta Humala's first moves as Peru's president-elect, the OAS General Assembly and upcoming Central American summit focused on citizen security, and trends in Mexico's violent organized crime.

The Week Ahead: Peru elections, Colombia working group, Brazil forestry law

info@justf.org (Just the Facts Project) — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 16:42:33 -0500

Adam looks at Peru's presidential vote, which is four days away; the "high level partnership dialogue" that has many Colombian diplomats visiting Washington; and a bill before Brazil's Congress that may make it easier to cut down the Amazon rainforest.

"Successes, Failures and Losses": Daniel Mejía on drug policy

info@justf.org (Just the Facts Project) — Fri, 27 May 2011 19:16:38 -0500

Adam talks with Daniel Mejía, an economist from Colombia's Universidad de los Andes, who just co-edited a book, "Éxitos, fracasos y extravíos," which thoroughly critiques, and proposes alternatives to, the U.S.-backed anti-drug policy in Colombia.

The Week Ahead: Zelaya's return, Colombia's Victims' Law, PDVSA Sanctions

info@justf.org (Just the Facts Project) — Thu, 26 May 2011 15:06:55 -0500

Adam looks at the Cartagena Accord allowing deposed President Manuel Zelaya to return to Honduras, the Victims and Land Restitution Law that passed Colombia's Senate, and the impact of U.S. sanctions on Venezuela's state oil company.

The Week Ahead: Massacre in Guatemala, Peru elections, is Colombia in an armed conflict?

info@justf.org (Just the Facts Project) — Wed, 18 May 2011 15:45:09 -0500

Adam discusses what we know about an apparent Zetas massacre of 27 people in Guatemala's Petén, the campaign for Peru's June 5 presidential runoff, and an argument between President Juan Manuel Santos and former President Álvaro Uribe.

The Week Ahead: Changes at State Department, Ecuador Referendum, Mexico MarchThe Week Ahead: Changes at State Department, Ecuador Referendum, Mexico March

info@justf.org (Just the Facts Project) — Wed, 11 May 2011 13:19:23 -0500

Adam discusses Assistant Secretary of State Arturo Valenzuela's resignation, Ecuador's referendum results, and the anti-violence march in Mexico.

The Week: Colombia free trade "Action Plan," Walid Makled, violence in Mexico

info@justf.org (Just the Facts Project) — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 15:07:29 -0500

Adam gives an update on the Colombian FTA debate, the extradition of a Venezuelan narcotrafficker from Colombia to Venezuela, another mass grave in Mexico, Uruguay's amnesty law, and Peru's elections.

U.S. policy in Mexico: a conversation with Bruce Bagley

info@justf.org (Just the Facts Project) — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 14:07:05 -0500

At a conference in Mexico sponsored by the Friedrich Ebert Foundation, Adam talks with Professor Bruce Bagley, chairman of the Department of International Studies at the University of Miami and a longtime expert on U.S. counterdrug policy in the Americas.

The week: Elections in Haiti, Colombia's luxury military prison, Mexico's army and public security

info@justf.org (Just the Facts Project) — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 14:22:57 -0500

Adam looks at the preliminary result of Haiti's election, revelations of plush conditions for Colombian military human rights abusers, and a UN human rights body's recommendation that Mexico take the armed forces out of internal security.

The week: Elections in Peru and elsewhere, Mexico border, and more

info@justf.org (Just the Facts Project) — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 12:25:57 -0500

In a cross-post with the new WOLA podcast, Adam looks at Peru's upcoming, and up-for-grabs elections; Washington's discussion of the Homeland Security and Pentagon role in Mexico border security; political violence in Colombia; and much else.

President Obama's Trip and the Week Ahead

info@justf.org (Just the Facts Project) — Tue, 22 Mar 2011 17:29:54 -0500

Adam reviews President Obama's stops, major policy speeches, and pending issues in Chile, Brazil and El Salvador. Plus, a look at elections in Haiti and Peru.

Organized crime in the Americas: Steven Dudley of insightcrime.org

info@justf.org (Just the Facts Project) — Fri, 04 Mar 2011 09:57:13 -0600

Adam talks to Steven Dudley, co-founder of the recently launched website insightcrime.org, about this new resource and organized crime and narcotrafficking trends in the region.

Antinarcotics Efforts in the Hemisphere

info@justf.org (Just the Facts Project) — Mon, 28 Feb 2011 14:55:20 -0600

Recording of a presentation by WOLA's Adam Isacson, given at George Washington University's Elliott School on February 28. The handout referenced in the piece is available at http://www.justf.org/files/pubs/110228_handout_sm.pdf.

U.S. relations with Argentina

info@justf.org (Just the Facts Project) — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 12:25:54 -0600

An incident surrounding the contents of a U.S. military plane has Washington's relations with Argentina in crisis. Adam discusses the episode, and its context, with Lucila Santos of WOLA.

The week ahead: February 14-18, 2011

info@justf.org (Just the Facts Project) — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 16:47:15 -0600

The Obama administration's 2012 aid request to Latin America. Two hearings about U.S. policy toward the region in Congress this week. A bizarre episode highlights problems in U.S. relations with Argentina.

The week ahead: February 7-11, 2011

info@justf.org (Just the Facts Project) — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 16:09:22 -0600

A guerrilla hostage release in Colombia. Upcoming battles over the foreign aid budget in Washington. Visits to the region from the Secretary of the Treasury and State's top counter-drug official.

The week ahead: January 31 - February 4, 2011

info@justf.org (Just the Facts Project) — Mon, 31 Jan 2011 19:19:35 -0600

A visit from Colombia's defense minister. Cutbacks to control of arms smuggled into Mexico. Brazil's president visits Argentina, but America's president doesn't.

Secretary Clinton's visit to Mexico

info@justf.org (Just the Facts Project) — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 15:19:58 -0600

Upon Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's January 24-25 visit to Mexico, Adam talks to WOLA's Maureen Meyer about U.S. assistance, human rights, Mexico's struggle against drug-fueled violence, and the long leadup to the country's 2012 elections.

The week ahead: January 17-21, 2011

info@justf.org (Just the Facts Project) — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 15:43:49 -0600

Adam talks about "Papa Doc's" unfortunate return to Haiti, the use of a Pinochet-era statute to put down protests in Chile, and emerging armed groups and free-trade ratification prospects in Colombia.

The U.S. fight to keep traditional coca use illegal

info@justf.org (Just the Facts Project) — Fri, 14 Jan 2011 10:56:46 -0600

South American indigenous groups have chewed coca leaves for centuries. This traditional use violates the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, which the United States is blocking Bolivia's effort to amend. Adam talks with WOLA's Coletta Youngers.

The week ahead: January 10-14, 2011

info@justf.org (Just the Facts Project) — Mon, 10 Jan 2011 13:35:27 -0600

Adam looks at FARC activity in Colombia, drug-related violence in Mexico, and the question of Venezuela and the OAS Democratic Charter.

Report from the Conference of Defense Ministers of the Americas

info@justf.org (Just the Facts Project) — Thu, 25 Nov 2010 20:22:24 -0600

Reporting from Santa Cruz, Bolivia, Adam gives an overview of what happened at the 9th Conference of Defense Ministers of the Americas.

The week ahead: November 8-12, 2010

info@justf.org (Just the Facts Project) — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 10:25:09 -0600

Adam gives a quick overview of the lame-duck Congress, the Costa Rica - Nicaragua border dispute, an upcoming defense ministers' meeting in Bolivia, and public events in Washington this week.

Preach What You Practice: a new WOLA report on military roles, police roles, and U.S. aid

info@justf.org (Just the Facts Project) — Fri, 12 Nov 2010 17:00:06 -0600

U.S. law prohibits using soldiers as police, but U.S. aid programs encourage Latin American militaries to take on internal roles. WOLA's Regional Security Policy staff discuss this paradox, the topic of a report they will release around November 18.

The week ahead: November 8-12, 2010

info@justf.org (Just the Facts Project) — Mon, 08 Nov 2010 13:55:24 -0600

In what we hope will be a regular weekly feature - as regular as we can make it - Adam looks at the likely new House leadership here in Washington, and the ongoing thaw in relations between Colombia and Venezuela.

Brazil's elections: Interview with Sam Logan

info@justf.org (Just the Facts Project) — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 16:22:26 -0500

Dilma Rouseff won a resounding victory in Brazil's October 31 presidential elections. What will be the impact on Brazil's foreign relations, relations with the United States, and regional security? Adam talks to Sam Logan of Southern Pulse.

Peru: Amnesty by decree? Interview with Jo-Marie Burt

info@justf.org (Just the Facts Project) — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 11:17:43 -0500

Last week, Peruvian President Alán García issued decrees that could let notorious military human rights abusers get out of prison, while possibly closing hundreds of other human rights cases. Adam interviews Jo-Marie Burt of George Mason University.

Violence and reform in Mexico: A conversation with WOLA's Maureen Meyer

info@justf.org (Just the Facts Project) — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 12:09:57 -0500

Adam talks with Maureen Meyer, the Washington Office on Latin America's Associate for Mexico and Central America, about the worsening wave of violence in Mexico, and the U.S. and Mexican government's security and justice reforms.

The Colombia-Venezuela Crisis: the Options and the Timing

info@justf.org (Just the Facts Project) — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 07:24:27 -0500

Adam talks about Colombia's charges that Venezuela is helping the FARC guerrillas, the validity of Colombia's appeals to the OAS and UNASUR, and the reasons why Colombia may have brought its complaint now.

"Military Rule 2.0?": Civil-military relations in Mexico

info@justf.org (Just the Facts Project) — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 17:08:25 -0500

A recent article in the Boston Globe argues that Mexico is a case of creeping military rule, abetted by the United States. Adam explores that concern, as well as recent efforts to limit the Mexican armed forces' power.

The Week: Colombia violence, Mexico elections, Brazil campaign, Ecuador narco-sub, recent naval exercises

info@justf.org (Just the Facts Project) — Sat, 10 Jul 2010 07:59:14 -0500

Adam and Abigail review the week of July 3-9, focusing on massacres in Colombia, state elections in Mexico, Brazil's presidential race, a clandestine submarine in Ecuador, and recent U.S. naval exercises.

Organized crime and government in Guatemala: the crisis of the CICIG

info@justf.org (Just the Facts Project) — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 16:19:43 -0500

Adam talks with WOLA's Adriana Beltrán about the resignation of Carlos Castresana, head of the UN commission against impunity in Guatemala, and the international community's effort to help Guatemala rid itself of the influence of violent organized crime.

The Week: Colombia elections, OAS General Assembly, Clinton visit, Alan García visit

info@justf.org (Just the Facts Project) — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 19:47:45 -0500

Adam and Abigail discuss Colombia's May 30 presidential vote; the upcoming OAS meeting in Peru; Secretary of State Clinton's planned visit to Peru, Ecuador, Colombia and Barbados; and Peruvian President Alán García's meeting with President Obama.

National Guard at the Mexico border: a conversation with WOLA's George Withers

info@justf.org (Just the Facts Project) — Fri, 28 May 2010 06:05:05 -0500

Adam talks with George Withers, senior fellow for regional security policy at the Washington Office on Latin America, about the risks of the Obama administration's proposal to deploy 1,200 new National Guard troops to the U.S.-Mexico border.

Drug Enforcement and the Rule of Law in Mexico and Colombia

info@justf.org (Just the Facts Project) — Wed, 19 May 2010 15:52:54 -0500

A Senate hearing on aid to Mexico and Colombia coincides with Mexican President Felipe Calderón's state visit to Washington. The hearing's discussion of the human rights impact of military programs was disappointing at best.

The Week: Calderón visit, Lula in Iran, CIDH on citizen security, Colombia Elections

info@justf.org (Just the Facts Project) — Sat, 15 May 2010 06:04:58 -0500

Abigail and Adam discuss the May 19-20 state visit of Mexican President Felipe Calderón, Brazilian President Lula's visit to Iran, a new Inter-American Human Rights Commission report on citizen security, and the tight race for Colombia's May 30 elections.

National Drug Control Strategy: A conversation with WOLA's John Walsh

info@justf.org (Just the Facts Project) — Tue, 11 May 2010 21:54:15 -0500

Adam talks with John Walsh, senior associate on the Washington Office on Latin America's Drug Policy Program, about the Obama administration's newly announced anti-drug strategy, made public on May 11.

The week: Nicaragua, Colombia, Mexico, Official Visits

info@justf.org (Just the Facts Project) — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 09:08:37 -0500

Adam and Abigail discuss political unrest in Nicaragua, Colombia's election campaign, a bill to regulate military crimefighting in Mexico, and the recent visits of U.S. officials to the region.

Bolivia: A conversation with Kathryn Ledebur of the Andean Information Network

info@justf.org (Just the Facts Project) — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 14:59:23 -0500

Adam interviews Kathryn Ledebur of the Cochabamba, Bolivia-based Andean Information Network (www.ain-bolivia.org). Ms. Ledebur discusses Bolivia's recent local elections, civil-military relations, drug policy and the state of U.S.-Bolivian relations.

Assistant Secretary Valenzuela's visit to Ecuador, Colombia and Peru

info@justf.org (Just the Facts Project) — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 14:55:52 -0500

Adam gives an overview of issues that may come up as the Obama administration's top diplomat for Latin America travels to the Andes on April 4-11, 2010. Featuring commentary from Lisa Haugaard, director of the Latin America Working Group.

The Caribbean Basin Security Initiative

info@justf.org (Just the Facts Project) — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 18:23:13 -0500

Adam discusses the Obama administration's new security aid program for 15 Caribbean countries. For the 2011 Congressional Budget Justification document referred to here, go to http://www.state.gov/f/releases/iab/fy2011cbj/pdf/index.htm

Mexico, Venezuela, Colombia: Consultative Groups and Posture Statements

info@justf.org (Just the Facts Project) — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 17:21:54 -0500

Abigail and Adam discuss Secretary of State Clinton's visit to Mexico, rethinking the Mérida Initiative, Southcom testimony in Congress, and allegations of Venezuelan ties to Colombia's FARC.

Panel: So How's It Going? The Obama Administration

info@justf.org (Just the Facts Project) — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 18:36:07 -0500

A March 20 panel discussion at the Ecumenical Advocacy Days gathering, with Lisa Haugaard of the Latin America Working Group, Adam Isacson of the Center for International Policy, and Manuel Pérez Rocha of the Institute for Policy Studies.

The Week: Chile earthquake, Clinton visit, FARC-ETA in Venezuela, narcotics report, Guatemala police corruption

info@justf.org (Just the Facts Project) — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 21:29:56 -0600

Adam discusses Chile's use of the military in the earthquake's aftermath, highlights of Secretary Clinton's 6-country trip, charges of terrorist links to Venezuela, the annual State Department Narcotics Report, and narco-corruption in Guatemala's police.

Extradited Colombian Paramilitaries: "Truth Behind Bars"

info@justf.org (Just the Facts Project) — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 15:56:27 -0600

Adam interviews Roxana Altholz of the U.C. Berkeley Law School Human Rights Clinic, author of a hard-hitting report on 30 Colombian paramilitary leaders' extradition to the United States, which has complicated efforts to win justice for their victims.

The Week: Cancún Summit, Venezuela, Colombia, Secretary Clinton's travel

info@justf.org (Just the Facts Project) — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 21:41:22 -0600

Abigail and Adam discuss the Cancún summit, human rights in Venezuela, reelection in Colombia, and Hillary Clinton's trip to the region next week

February 24, 2010: Recent Arms Transfers

info@justf.org (Just the Facts Project) — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 11:21:41 -0600

Adam reviews recent arms sales from Brazil, Europe Israel and the United States to several countries throughout the region.

February 19, 2010: The week

info@justf.org (Just the Facts Project) — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 17:27:58 -0600

Abigail and Adam discuss Colombia-Ecuador relations, arms sales to the FARC, the Haiti rebuilding cost, the Falklands dispute, press freedom, citizen security in Mexico, and upcoming congressional hearings.

February 16, 2010: Citizen Security in Medellín, Colombia

info@justf.org (Just the Facts Project) — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 17:16:33 -0600

Adam talks about Medellín's rising crime rate, the reasons why violence continues to fluctuate, and a controversial effort to negotiate a "non-aggression pact" between criminal gangs.

Just the Facts: February 12, 2010

info@justf.org (Just the Facts Project) — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 17:13:01 -0600

The week: Abigail and Adam discuss Costa Rica's elections, the Colombian defense minister's visit, re-election in Colombia, and the UNASUR summit.

Just the Facts: February 10, 2010

info@justf.org (Just the Facts Project) — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 13:15:02 -0600

Adam discusses civil-military relations stories in Chile, Bolivia, Argentina, El Salvador, Peru and Venezuela.

Just the Facts: February 5, 2010

info@justf.org (Just the Facts Project) — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 11:44:35 -0600

In our inaugural podcast, Adam discusses Colombia's re-election debate, after a Constitutional Court judge casts doubt on a referendum to allow President Álvaro Uribe to run for a third term.