The Latin American Report # 204

Mayoress murdered in Ecuador's Manabi province

A couple of reports ago we commented on the strong presence of drug trafficking in the coastal province of Manabí. A few hours ago we then saw that, after a relative calm in terms of murders during most of the first quarter of the year in the country, there seemed to be a worrying rise in this regard. Brigitte Garcia, a young 27-year-old mayoress, was found shot inside a vehicle with an advisor, in a new demonstration of the brazenness with which Ecuadorian organized crime operates. The emergency regime decreed in January by President Daniel Noboa remains in force, but crime threatens to spill over again. Garcia was head of the local government of San Vicente and was a member of the same party as former President Rafael Correa. "I just found out that our fellow mayoress of San Vicente Brigitte García has been murdered. I have no words, in shock, no one is safe in Ecuador, NO ONE", said the former candidate of the Citizen Revolution who lost the runoff against Noboa.

_{The vehicle where the mayoress and an advisor were found, in the early hours of Sunday morning (source).}

Reviewing U.S. Congressional foreign policy toward Latin America

The latest legislation passed on Capitol Hill to fund the U.S. government for the remainder of fiscal year 2024 offers some reading on congressional foreign policy priorities, particularly for Latin America. In the area of International Narcotics Control and Law Enforcement, Biden signed $1.4 billion, of which $37.5 million is for Costa Rica as part of the Central America Regional Security Initiative, $134.5 million for Colombia, and $17.5 million for Ecuador. In addition, $10 million is foreseen for "DNA forensic technology programs to combat human trafficking in Central America and Mexico". The bipartisan agreement envisaged nearly US$4 billion for development assistance, of which US$20 million is earmarked for energy and economic growth initiatives in the Caribbean, US$77 million for Colombia, and nearly US$20 million for the Dominican Republic. The U.S. administration would have $15 million to advance "democracy and religious freedom programs for Nicaragua". The political regime in Managua is being heavily criticized by opposition factors, due to alleged cuts to the democratic development there imposed by Daniel Ortega. Within the "Economic Support Fund" account, which has a problematic political background, legislators approved close to $130 million for Colombia, $50 million for Venezuela—which under certain conditions can even be used for electoral-related activities—, and $25 million for democracy programs aimed at political regime change in Cuba. In the "Foreign Military Financing Program" account, about 37 million dollars are foreseen for Colombia, and 8.5 million for Costa Rica.

Congress always plays a role that sometimes borders on disrespect when it comes to setting conditions to activate certain financing. Congressmen are the judges in a court where the prosecutors—the Secretary of State in this case—must decide how "disciplined" the countries of the Western Hemisphere are. In the Colombian case, for example, Blinken must submit a report analyzing how the Petro government's policies correspond to U.S. national interests, particularly overseeing its "commitment to rule of law and countering narcotics". Another report should inform Congress: "(1) the extent to which crop eradication and drug interdiction efforts in Colombia have reduced coca cultivation, production, and trafficking during the previous 12-month period; (2) the tonnage of seizures of illicit narcotics and precursors in Colombia during the previous 12 month period; (3) the extent to which the Government of Colombia has maintained extradition cooperation with the United States; and ( 4) efforts by the Government of Colombia to counter criminal activities near the Darien Gap". In any case, the White House would support the Casa de Nariño's efforts to promote alternatives to coca cultivation.

Foggy Bottom must withheld 15% of the assistance funds for Mexico until it certifies or reports that the Aztec government: "(1) reduce the amount of fentanyl arriving at the United States-Mexico border; (2) dismantle and hold accountable transnational criminal organizations; (3) support joint counter-narcotics operations and intelligence sharing with United States counter-parts; and (4) respect extradition requests for criminals sought by the United States". In the Cuban case, the Cuban-origin bloc on Capitol Hill restricted that the $25 million set aside for democracy programs "may not be made available for business promotion, economic reform, entrepreneurship, or any other assistance that is not democracy building as expressly authorized in the Cuban Liberty and Democratic Solidarity (LIBERTAD) Act of 1996 and the Cuban Democracy Act of 1992". In addition, Diaz-Balart's signature can be sensed in the threat of sanctions hanging over those countries that agree to health agreements with Cuba, which constituted a solid source of foreign exchange for Havana for many years until, with the imprint of Jair Bolsonaro in Brazil, Washington managed to vitiate the narrative around them—presenting the Cuban doctors as "coerced and trafficked labor". Finally, the governments of El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras would be provided with assistance funds to combat corruption, impunity, and violence against women and girls, and implement "programs that support locally-led development".

My take

In general, there is no change in terms of attacking with better intentions and funds for the critical problems of the region, those at the root of the migratory phenomenon. While support for the Root Causes Strategy on Migration is sustained, it is yet oriented only to Central America, and even there—going by the numbers—whatever is being done does not show the expected results for the region and the United States itself. Washington's foreign aid distribution is a system of ideological rewards and punishments that, for example, in two of the countries that contribute the most to irregular migration, Cuba and Venezuela, plans to spend at least $100 million to promote regime change programs, and absolutely nothing to promote economic growth. Better to encourage chaos and disruption than development. How nice it would be, for example, if the White House would extend to both countries the scope of its referred Root Causes Strategy, which this year in Guatemala envisions the grandiloquent goal of creating "economic opportunities, strengthening local organizations, and promoting initiatives that enable Guatemalans to live safe and dignified lives" in their country. That's what it's all about, here, there, and everywhere, but turning the story even more into facts.

Heavy rains leave at least 25 dead in Brazil

The South American giant was punished with heavy rains in Rio de Janeiro and Espirito Santo. The floods claimed the lives of some 15 people in the town of Mimoso do Soul, with a population of almost 25,000. The governor of Espirito Santo called the scenes in his state "chaotic," while in Rio—where most of the deaths were caused by landslides—about 5,200 people were evacuated. House collapses were also reported. Lula da Silva linked the events to "the intensification of climate change," appealing to one of the classic causes in his narrative. In Cuba, some infrastructure damage was also reported following an incessant downpour of rain in the west over the weekend—there is even evidence of hail falling. The civil defense system is very competent in terms of securing life here, unlike others in more economically developed countries.

Trump on Cuba, powered by Florida

And this is all for our report today. I have referenced the sources dynamically in the text, and remember you can learn how and where to follow the LATAM trail news by reading my work here. Have a nice day.