Central American Gangs (Maras)

Fútbol (or soccer) at the Olympics and concerns about the military and police in Honduras provide the varied themes on Latin Pulse this week. The program provides an in-depth analysis of both the women's and men's fútbol competitions at the Olympic Summer Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The program also concludes its two-part critique of the Honduran military. The program also discusses the role the military is playing in both the Drug War and in the political sphere in Honduras. The news segment of the program discusses U.S. President Barack Obama's support for the Trans-Pacific Partnership (the TPP). The program includes in-depth interviews with: Joshua Nadel of North Carolina Central University; and Orlando Perez of Millersville University. Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell; Technical Director: Jim Singer; and Production Assistant: Chorsie Martin. The photo Brazil’s fútbol team in action against South Africa in the Olympics is by Marcelo Camargo of Agência Brasil. Agência Brasil offers its images for use via a Creative Commons license: http://agenciabrasil.ebc.com.br/rio-2016/foto/2016-08/brasil-estreia-contra-africa-do-sul-no-mane-garrincha “Latin Pulse” is produced at Webster University’s School of Communications: www.webster.edu/communications/

Femicide and violence against women in Latin America provide the themes on Latin Pulse this week. The program focuses on murders aimed at women in Central America and Mexico, the region with the worst global statistics as assembled by the United Nations. The program also discusses linkages between such violence and unauthorized immigration. The program discusses the causes behind femicide and includes analysis about the need to improve the justice in the region. The news segment of the program covers the constitutional changes in Bolivia to allow President Evo Morales to run for re-election in four years if he wishes. The program includes an in-depth interview with: Karen Musalo of the University of California. Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell; Technical Director: Jim Singer; and Associate Producer: Natalie Ottinger. The anti-femicide logo is from the Honduran government and is in the public domain. Produced for release on Nov. 6, 2015.

Religion in Latin America provides the theme this week on "Latin Pulse," as Cuba prepares for an official visit from Pope Francis. The program analyzes the importance of the pope's upcoming trip to Cuba and reflects on how the Cuba trip will provide a preface for the pope's visit to the United States. The program also reviews a new book that deals with how religion is fighting violence throughout Latin America, especially Central America. The news segment of the program reviews the results in the first round of the Guatemalan presidential voting and the upset of comedian Jimmy Morales. The program includes in-depth interviews with: Andrew Chesnut of Virginia Commonwealth University; and Alex Wilde of American University's Center for Latin American & Latino Studies (CLALS). Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell; Technical Director: Jim Singer; and Associate Producer: Natalie Ottinger. The logo for Pope Francis’ trip to Cuba is from the Archdiocese of Havana and is in the public domain. Produced for release on Sept. 11, 2015.

Violence, crime and national security provide the themes this week on Latin Pulse. First, the program reviews security in Mexico, and discusses the rise of various cartels, especially the Sinaloa Cartel. Another in-depth part of the program deals with the crisis in El Salvador due to the involvement of street gangs in a transportation strike. Both segments discuss how the central governments in these countries do not have the power to stop the criminal groups. The news segment of the program covers the border crisis between Venezuela and Colombia due to unauthorized immigration, violence and the influence of criminal groups. The program includes in-depth interviews with: Jo Tuckman of The Guardian; and Hector Silva of American University's Center for Latin American & Latino Studies (CLALS). Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell; Technical Director: Jim Singer; and Associate Producer: Natalie Ottinger. The photo is of cocaine bricks stamped with a scorpion, a sign associated with the Sinaloa Cartel according to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). The photo is from the DEA and is in the public domain. Produced for release on Aug. 28, 2015.

Violence and salvation are the themes this week on Latin Pulse. The alarming rise in homicide rates in El Salvador catches our attention and the program discusses the causes and how the government is reacting to the rise in gang-related violence. The reaction seems to be extrajudicial killings and the return of death squads. The program also includes an analysis about the shift of religious beliefs in Latin America, including the rise of evangelicals and religious pluralism. The news segment of the program covers the latest votes related to the Trans-Pacific Partnership and special trade authority for President Barack Obama. The program includes in-depth interviews with: Hector Silva of the Center for Latin American & Latino Studies (CLALS) at American University; and Andrew Chesnut of Virginia Commonwealth University. Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell; Producer: Jim Singer; and Production Assistant: Sierra Hancock. The photo of Salvadoran gang members is from InSight Crime using a Creative Commons licensing agreement: http://www.insightcrime.org/news-briefs/el-salvador-gang-truce-technically-finished-police Produced for release on June 19, 2015. The program is produced through the support of Webster University: www.webster.edu/

Violence provides the central theme this week on Latin Pulse as the program looks at troubles in Colombia and El Salvador. In Colombia, as the country's civil war turns the corner on 51 years of pain, the peace process seems stalled as violence escalates in the war. In El Salvador, violence levels are higher than they have been in more than 20 years. The news segment of the program covers how women demonstrated across South America this week to call attention to the high levels of violence aimed at them and the need for laws to combat the problem. The program includes in-depth interviews with: Winifred Tate of Colby College; and Hector Silva of the Center for Latin American & Latino Studies (CLALS) at American University. Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell; Producer: Jim Singer; and Production Assistant: Sierra Hancock. The photo of FARC soldiers is from the Mexican government and is in the public domain. Produced for release on June 5, 2015. The program is produced through the support of Webster University: www.webster.edu/

Justice, human rights and immigration policy regarding Central America provide the triple themes this week on Latin Pulse. The program focuses on the extradition case of Inocente Montano, a former colonel and leader for the Salvadoran military during El Salvador's civil war. Spanish authorities want Montano sent to Spain to face human rights charges connected to the massacre of Jesuit priests at a university in San Salvador. The program also looks at Congressional concerns over U.S. immigration policy in Central America. The news segment of the program reviews the controversial trade mission to Cuba of New York Governor Andrew Cuomo. The program includes in-depth interviews with: Geoff Thale of the Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA); and Eric Olson of the Woodrow Wilson Center. Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell; Producer: Jim Singer; and Production Assistant: Sierra Hancock. The photo of a temporary memorial to those killed in the massacre at the Universidad CentroAmericana (UCA) is from the Salvadoran non-profit organization FUNDAMER and is in the public domain: https://fundahmer.wordpress.com/ Produced for release on April 24, 2015. The program is produced at Webster University: www.webster.edu/

The martyrdom of Archbishop Oscar Romero of El Salvador provides the theme this week on Latin Pulse. The program includes discussions of the philosophical debate embodied in the stalled progress of Romero's status as an official Catholic martyr. The program also includes a discussion of Vatican politics that stretches over the past 30 years. The program also includes reflections on U.S. policy and how it sparked a climate of violence in Central America. The news segment of the program covers the controversial economic sanctions from the United States aimed at Venezuela and how that move was condemned by UNASUR. The program includes in-depth interviews with: Jeanette Rodriguez of Seattle University; and Andrew Chesnut of Virginia Commonwealth University. Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell; Producer: Jim Singer; and Production Assistant: Gabriela Canchola. The photo of Archbishop Oscar Romero is from the Archdiocese of San Salvador and is in the public domain. Produced for release on March 20, 2015. The program is produced at Webster University: www.webster.edu/

This week, "Latin Pulse" comes remotely from Costa Rica to deal with two issues of crisis: the media economic crisis in Costa Rica and beyond, and the problem of undocumented and unaccompanied minors on the U.S.-Mexico border. The U.S. Border Patrol says the crisis concerning undocumented minors is past its peak, but this program explores the causal issues. The news segment relates how Pope Francis has shifted the Vatican's policy concerning pedophilia in the clergy and has fired a bishop and ordered the house arrest of a former archbishop concerning cases in Paraguay and the Dominican Republic. The program includes in-depth interviews with: Eric Olson of the Wilson Center; and Prof. Ignacio Siles of the Universidad de Costa Rica. Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell; Producer: Jim Singer; and Associate Producer: Gabriela Canchola. The photo of an undocumented and unaccompanied child in the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement holding facility in Brownsville, Texas is by Eduardo Perez for U.S. Customs and Border Protection. The photo is from the U.S. government and is in the public domain. The program is produced at Webster University: www.webster.edu/

This week, "Latin Pulse" covers a variety of topics, including the crackdown on the protest movement in Venezuela and corruption tainting police in El Salvador. The segment on Venezuela reviews the opinions of one of the leaders of the opposition protest movement who has also been influential with the country's student protestors too. The Salvadoran segment traces the history of the national police and how criminal organizations infiltrated the police during the past generation. The news segment of the program covers the visit of Uruguay's President Jose "Pepe" Mujica to Washington, D.C. and his discussion of health issues and human rights. The program also includes a commentary on the failure of marriage equality in Colombia. The program includes in-depth interviews with: Rodrigo Diamanti of El Mundo Sin Mordaza; and Hector Silva of American University's Center for Latin American & Latino Studies (CLALS). Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell; and Associate Producer: Megan Ekhaml. The photo is by Marquinam via Flickr using a Creative Commons license: https://www.flickr.com/photos/marquinam/13155160395/ “Latin Pulse” is produced at American University’s School of Communication. This program is sponsored by the university’s Center for Latin American & Latino Studies (CLALS), in association with Link TV. http://www.american.edu/soc/ http://www.american.edu/clals/latin-pulse.cfm

Elections and politics in Central America provide the central themes this week on Latin Pulse. The program looks at the politics and topics driving this weekend's elections in El Salvador. The program also covers the political and electoral topography in Nicaragua and Costa Rica. The program compares the economic climate in El Salvador and how they differ from neighboring Honduras, and why that makes El Salvador a different and more stable political system. The news segment of the program covers the diplomatic spat between Venezuela, Panama and the United States, and the anti-government protests that have sparked the diplomatic disputes. The program includes in-depth interviews with: Geoff Thale of the Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA); and John Booth of the University of North Texas. Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell; and Associate Producer: Megan Ekhaml. The photo of Salvador Sanchez Ceren campaigning is from the Chinese government and is in the public domain. “Latin Pulse” is produced at American University’s School of Communication. This program is sponsored by the university’s Center for Latin American & Latino Studies (CLALS), in association with Link TV. http://www.american.edu/soc/ http://www.american.edu/clals/latin-pulse.cfm

The surging popularity of left-wing parties in Central America and the fear tactics used against them take center stage for this preview on Latin Pulse of the presidential elections coming in El Salvador and Costa Rica. In El Salvador, a former guerrilla leader is the frontrunner to be the next president. In Costa Rica, although the center-left ruling party leads the polls, strong challenges are coming from farther left on the political spectrum. The news segment provides an update on drug violence in the Mexican state of Michoacan and the new pact between the Mexican government and vigilante groups. The program includes interviews with: Geoff Thale of the Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA); and Francisco Robles Rivera of the Universidad Nacional and the Universidad de Costa Rica. Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell; and Associate Producer: Megan Ekhaml. The photo of political campaigning in Costa Rica is from the campaign of Johnny Araya of the PLN and is in the public domain. “Latin Pulse” is produced at American University’s School of Communication. This program is sponsored by the university’s Center for Latin American & Latino Studies (CLALS), in association with Link TV. http://www.american.edu/soc/ http://www.american.edu/clals/latin-pulse.cfm

Up-coming elections in Central America grab our attention this week on Latin Pulse. Voters go to the polls in both El Salvador and Costa Rica early next month. This program sorts out the key candidates, the polls, and some of the major issues for both countries with corruption scandals of the past still affecting voter dissatisfaction. The program also includes a commentary looking forward and backward at U.S. policy in Latin America. The news segment of the program covers the the killing of Monica Spear, a Venezuelan beauty queen and actress. The program includes interviews with: Hector Silva of American University's Center for Latin American & Latino Studies (CLALS); and Lowell Gudmundson of Mount Holyoke College. Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell; and Associate Producer: Megan Ekhaml. The photo of Salvadoran Vice President Salvador Sanchez Ceren campaigning is from his political party, the FMLN, and is in the public domain. “Latin Pulse” is produced at American University’s School of Communication. This program is sponsored by the university’s Center for Latin American & Latino Studies (CLALS), in association with Link TV. http://www.american.edu/soc/ http://www.american.edu/clals/latin-pulse.cfm

Major military takeovers of the past resonate through two elections this month in Latin America. Those elections in Chile and Honduras are the central focus on "Latin Pulse." In Chile, two women whose families took different sides in the coup that brought General Augusto Pinochet to power are the leading candidates. The program covers the key economic and educational issues in that election. The conversation also covers the coming Honduran elections where questions of fairness, corruption, and violence are important. The news segment of the program covers new economic initiatives in Venezuela to control consumer prices. The program includes interviews with: Patricio Navia of New York University & Universidad Diego Portales in Chilehttp://www.immigrationworksusa.org/index.php?p=40; and Eric Olson of the Wilson Center. Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell; Associate Producer: Megan Ekhaml. The photo of former Chilean President Michelle Bachelet campaigning is from her electoral campaign and is in the public domain. “Latin Pulse” is produced at American University’s School of Communication. This program is sponsored by the university’s Center for Latin American & Latino Studies (CLALS), in association with Link TV. www.american.edu/soc/ www.american.edu/clals/latin-pulse.cfm

Comprehensive immigration reform is a promise in Washington, D.C., but what are the chances of it becoming reality? That debate takes center stage this week on Latin Pulse. The program examines why the legislation stalled and what are the prospects for passage through 2015. The program also deals with the effects immigration policy has on immigrants coming from Mexico and Central America. Also, the discussion covers the debate over guest worker programs and other provisions of the proposed reform. The news segment of the program covers a new breakthrough in the peace talks aiming to end Colombia's long civil war. The program includes interviews with: Tamar Jacoby of ImmigrationWorks USA; along with Lee Williams and Tiffany Nelms of the U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants. Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell; Associate Producer: Megan Ekhaml. The photo is by Kate Woodsome for the Voice of America and is in the public domain. “Latin Pulse” is produced at American University’s School of Communication. This program is sponsored by the university’s Center for Latin American & Latino Studies (CLALS), in association with Link TV. http://www.american.edu/soc/ http://www.american.edu/clals/latin-pulse.cfm

El Salvador takes center stage this week on “Latin Pulse.” The program includes an interview with El Salvador's ambassador to the United States and ranges through a variety of topics: immigration, corruption, politics, the Drug War, street gangs, and human rights. The ambassador openly discusses how many of these endemic problems will need long-term solutions and strategic thinking. The news segment of the program covers the latest regarding the NSA spy scandal and Mexico. The program also includes a commentary on a controversial presidential popularity poll regarding Bolivia, Ecuador and Nicaragua. The program includes an interview with: Ambassador Ruben Zamora of El Salvador. Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell; Associate Producer: Megan Ekhaml. The graphic is of the seal of El Salvador which is in the public domain. “Latin Pulse” is produced at American University’s School of Communication. This program is sponsored by the university’s Center for Latin American & Latino Studies (CLALS), in association with Link TV. http://www.american.edu/soc/ http://www.american.edu/clals/latin-pulse.cfm

Violence, both in the present context and in memory is the key concern this week on Latin Pulse. The program looks at measures to militarize the police in Honduras as that country grapples with the worst homicide rate in the world. The discussion includes human rights concerns, conditions in the Honduran prisons, and the crisis of the lack of governmental control in the country. The program also discusses the 40th anniversary of the coup in Chile that brought Gen. Augusto Pinochet to power in 1973. The news segment of the program covers protests over agricultural policies and trade in Colombia. The program includes in-depth interviews with: Adriana Beltran of the Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA); and Rev. Joe Eldridge of American University. Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell Associate Producer: Curt Devine. The photo of police in Honduras in riot gear is from the Chinese government and is in the public domain. “Latin Pulse” is produced at American University’s School of Communication. This program is sponsored by the university’s Center for Latin American & Latino Studies (CLALS), in association with Link TV. http://www.american.edu/soc/ http://www.american.edu/clals/latin-pulse.cfm

This week Latin Pulse focuses on the debate over the controversial gang truce in Honduras and what can be learned from the politics and conditions of a similar truce in El Salvador. The truce is between the Honduran factions of the street gangs MS-13 and Barrio 18: these gangs include tens of thousands of members in the United States and Central America. Experts in Mexico and the United States weigh in on the truce and give important context. This week, the news segment of the program looks at the diplomatic breakthrough between the United States and Venezuela. The program includes in-depth interviews with: Sonja Wolf of INSYDE; and Jon Wolseth, author of “Jesus and the Gang.” Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell Associate Producer: Curt Devine Writer: Zach Cohen. This program is a direct sequel to this recent program: https://soundcloud.com/latinpulse/honduras-gangs-drugs-diplomacy-lp5312013 The photo of the FBI rounding up suspected members of the MS-13 street gang is from the FBI and as it is from the U.S. government, it is in the public domain.

This week Latin Pulse comes remotely from the annual Latin American Studies Association (LASA) Congress in Washington, D.C. One of the key topics from the conference: reaction to the truce between the MS-13 street gang, one of the most violent gangs in the world, and its primary gang competitor, Barrio 18. The program delves into the role of the Catholic Church in brokering the truce and how Catholicism and evangelical Christianity have played a role in countering. The program also looks at how politics and diplomacy regarding Honduras and the 2009 coup continue to resonate throughout the hemisphere. The program includes in-depth interviews with: Bob Brenneman of St. Michael's College of Vermont; and Jorge Heine of Wilfrid Laurier University of Canada. Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell Associate Producer: Curt Devine Writer: Zach Cohen. The photo of a member of the MS-13 street gang is from the FBI and as it is from the U.S. government, it is in the public domain.

Human rights in Central America, both past and present, take center stage this week on Latin Pulse. The program looks at the fallout from the guilty verdict in Guatemala that has sent former dictator Efrain Rios Montt to prison for genocide and crimes against humanity. Also, the program looks at the return of death squads in Honduras and the lack of human rights there in an election year. The news segment of the program covers the controversial change in ownership of the television network Globovision in Venezuela. The program includes in-depth interviews with: Kathryn Johnson of the Guatemala Human Rights Commission (GHRC); and Alex Main of the Center for Economic & Policy Research (CEPR). Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell Associate Producer: Curt Devine. The photo of former dictator Efrain Rios Montt testifying at his genocide trial is from the Guatemalan government and is in the public domain.

The unseen effects of immigration policy in the United States are the focus this week on "Latin Pulse." The primary discussion revolves around the large number of deportations in the Latino population of undocumented living in the United States. The discussion looks at a research project to see how deportations affect Salvadoran communities, with a special focus on the effects on children. The news segment of the program looks at the outcome of the presidential elections in Paraguay and plans that president-elect Horacio Cartes has to reconnect his country to the trade bloc Mercosur. The program includes in-depth interviews with: Eric Hershberg of the Center for Latin American & Latino Studies (CLALS) at American University; and Dennis Stinchcomb of CLALS. Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell Associate Producer: Curt Devine. The photo is from Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE); as the photo is from the U.S. government it is in the public domain.

This month marks the anniversary of the controversial 2012 gang truce in El Salvador. This week, Latin Pulse looks back at how the truce has worked between the large transnational criminal organizations MS-13 and Barrio 18, which characterize themselves as street gangs or maras. The primary question is how was the truce brought about? Did the Catholic Church broker the gang peace independently or did the Salvadoran government mask its involvement in the truce by getting the Church involved? The news segment of the program looks at the expectations of President Barack Obama concerning the debate over immigration reforms. The program includes in-depth interviews with: Steven Dudley of InSight Crime; and Hector Silva of American University's Center for Latin American & Latino Studies (CLALS). Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell Associate Producer: Curt Devine. The photo of members of MS-13 in prison is from the Federal Bureau of Investigation in the United States and is in the public domain.

El Salvador and its relationship with the United States is the focus this week on Latin Pulse. The program includes an in-depth interview with El Salvador's ambassador to the United States and the conversation ranges across a variety of issues including immigration, gangs, and human rights. The ambassador discusses how immigration is not solely a domestic issue for the United States but is also part of diplomatic relations, due to remittances. The news segment of the program covers the reaction to the re-election of Rafael Correa as the president of Ecuador. The program includes an in-depth interview with: Ambassador Francisco Altschul of El Salvador. Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell Associate Producer: Curt Devine. The photo of President Mauricio Funes of El Salvador and President Barack Obama is from the U.S. government and is in the public domain.

This week's edition of Latin Pulse comes remotely from the Latin American Studies Association (LASA) Congress in San Francisco. The program focuses on the issue of free speech at the academic conference revolving around controversial visa decisions from the U.S. State Department, denying visas to some Cuban scholars but allowing Mariela Castro, the daughter of Cuba's president, to speak. The program also features an in-depth interview with the writers of an important book on Central American street gangs. The news segment of the program includes the results of the elections in the Dominican Republic. In-Depth Interviews: Sheryl Lutjens of California State University at San Marcos, Tom Bruneau & Sonja Wolf, contributors to "Maras: Gang Violence and Security in Central America." Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell Associate Producer: Vanessa Haces Gonzatti Writer: Lydia Beyoud The photo of the Cuban flag is from _chrisUK via Flickr using a Creative Commons license: http://www.flickr.com/photos/_chrisuk/6563396371/

Cuban economic reforms are the centerpiece of this week’s “Latin Pulse,” with news and analysis on that topic that keeps evolving.The latest changes dealing with farms and tourism spark a discussion that delves into changes with small businesses, real estate, and even auto sales on the island. The program also includes an in-depth interview about politics, corruption and free speech in El Salvador and news items related to next year’s elections in Venezuela. In-Depth Interviews: Phil Brenner of American University; and Jimena Aguilar of El Faro. Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell Associate Producer: Vanessa Haces-Gonzatti The photo is by Emily Hoyer of San Francisco, Calif. via Flickr, using a Creative Commons license. (http://www.flickr.com/photos/flavor32/134528798/)