The Latin America Working Group is one of the nation's longest standing coalitions dedicated to foreign policy. The Latin America Working Group and its sister organization, the Latin America Working Group Education Fund, carry out the coalition's mission to encourage US policies towards Latin America that promote human rights, justice, peace and sustainable development. As a coalition, LAWG represents the interests of over 60 major religious, humanitarian, grassroots and policy organizations to decision makers in Washington. We are a trusted voice in Congress, and provide reliable guidance to policymakers who want their decisions to be grounded in human rights.

Achievements. Founded in 1983, LAWG was a major player in opposing the US role in Central American wars of that decade, and one of the strongest voices for the negotiated peace settlements that took hold in the region by the 1990s. Since then, LAWG has gained US support for reconstruction and peace accord implementation aid, over a billion dollars in disaster relief, and the declassification of US documents that shed light on human rights abuses in Latin America and US policy. We have helped to ease restrictions on the sale of food and medicine to Cuba and have been a major force in opposing escalating US military involvement in Colombia while successfully promoting humanitarian aid to that country.

Organizational Structure. The LAWG, a 501 (c) 4 organization, carries out advocacy and grassroots education. The Latin America Working Group Education Fund (LAWGEF), a 501 (c) 3 organization, was established in 2002 to carry out the coalition's educational activities. The Latin America Working Group Education Fund organizes briefings, forums and other public events and coordinates visits by Latin American civil society leaders. The LAWGEF also provides information to the press and publishes reports and briefing materials on Latin American issues and related US policy.


The LAWG's unique role is as coordinator, implementer, and catalyst. We bring partners together to plan and implement effective strategies to influence the policy debate. We run strategy sessions, help find the right mix of analysis, media work, grassroots and religious involvement, and seek out new alliances. The LAWG’s specialty is to translate the strengths of a variety of organizations into coordinated, realistic and far-reaching efforts. Please click here for a list of organizations currently participating in the LAWG coalition.

Members of Congress and other policymakers rely on LAWG as a trusted voice for timely and insightful analyses grounded in a respect for human rights. LAWG regularly briefs congressional staff, writes policy memos, arranges congressional fact finding delegations, and prepares questions for members of Congress to ask at hearings and meetings with Administration officials or visiting Latin American leaders.

LAWG also provides critical information to activists across the United States. Through our Advocate newsletter, e-mail alerts, website and LAWGEF reports, we make sure that activists nationwide receive timely and accurate information on US policy towards the region. Together, the LAWG coalition attempts to expand the role that US citizens play in debating US foreign policy.

Latin American human rights activists also turn to LAWGEF as a valued partner. Our relationships on Capitol Hill help open doors for Latin American civil society activists and allows them to contribute firsthand perspectives to US policy debates. LAWGEF also channels international support for local human rights workers in the region, meeting with officials in Latin America to voice concerns and providing backing for local activists. Our collaboration with human rights networks throughout the region helps to ensure our work reflects the needs of Latin American partners and the values of coalition members.