Action Center - Latin America Working Group

Colombian Civil Society Leaders Go to Washington

by Travis Wheeler and Lisa Haugaard on March 03, 2009

Last week, Colombian Defense Minister Juan Manuel Santos visited Washington, DC to meet with lawmakers and top Obama Administration officials, including Sec. of State Hillary Clinton, Defense Sec. Robert Gates, and National Security Adviser Gen. James Jones.

:, Blog Posts, Lisa Haugaard

"My Father was a Dreamer": Violence Against Trade Unionists in Colombia

by Lisa Haugaard on February 17, 2009

"My father was a dreamer. He was a cheerful, generous man. He was our friend and our hero, the man who helped us discover the world."

These are the words of Yessica Hoyos Morales, whose father, Jorge Darío Hoyos Franco, a Colombian labor leader, was assassinated in 2001 by two hired hitmen, as she testified to a hearing held February 12th by the House Committee on Education and Labor, chaired by Representative George Miller (D-CA).

:Blog Posts, Colombia, Lisa Haugaard

Welcome to the LAWG Blog

by Lisa Haugaard on February 10, 2009

Welcome to the Latin America Working Group’s new blog—the LAWG Blog (sorry, we couldn’t resist the name). We’ll be bringing you updates on U.S. policy towards Latin America, inspiring stories from Latin American human rights activists, tips for what you can do to make change—all in the service of building a more just U.S. policy towards our neighbors to the south.

:Blog Posts, Latin America, Lisa Haugaard

Stand by Colombia's Victims of Violence

by Lisa Haugaard and Travis Wheeler on February 09, 2009

When we talk about Colombia, we often hear two reactions. "It's so complicated!" Or, "Why should I care. There are no good guys to support there." Well, as to the first, yes, it’s complicated. Even more than you know. But as to the second, there are few places on earth with more heroes and heroines than Colombia.

:, Blog Posts, Colombia, Lisa Haugaard