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Is the Narco-violence in Mexico an Insurgency?
From the thesis abstract: "Since Mexican President Felipe Calderón declared war on the drug cartels in December 2006, more than 35,000 Mexicans have died due to narco-violence. This monograph examines whether the various Mexican drug trafficking organizations are insurgents or organized criminal elements. Mexican narco-violence and its affiliated gang violence have spread across Mexico's southern border into Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador. Additionally, the narco-violence is already responsible for the deaths of American citizens on both sides of the United States -- Mexico border, and the potential for increased spillover violence is a major concern. This monograph argues that the Mexican drug cartels are transnational criminal organizations (TCOs) that pose a national security threat to the regional state actors; however, they are not an insurgency for four reasons. First, none of the cartels have the political aim or capability to overthrow the Mexican government. Second, the various TCOs are competing criminal organizations with approximately 90 percent of the violence being cartel on cartel. For example, the violence in the city of Juárez is largely the result of the fighting between the local Juárez cartel and the Sinaloa cartel for control of one of the primary smuggling routes into the United States. Third, the cartels' use of violence and coercion has turned popular support against them thus denying them legitimacy. Fourth, although the cartels do control zones of impunity within their areas of influence, the Mexican government has captured, killed, and extradited kingpins from every major TCO. [...] The conclusion of this monograph is that the TCOs have a weak case for being an insurgency due to their lack of legitimacy because violence has been excessively cruel and lacking in purpose in the eyes of the Mexican people."
U.S. Army Command and General Staff College. School of Advanced Military Studies
Rogan, Michael G.
2011-05-18
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Review of the United States Marshals Service Judicial Security Process
From the Executive Summary: "Protecting the federal judiciary is one of the eight strategic goals of the Department of Justice (Department), and it is the primary mission of the United States Marshals Service (USMS). No federal judges have been assassinated since 1989, but two federal judges have been assaulted in the last three years, and the USMS receives almost 700 threats against members of the judiciary each year. Further, in the 10 years since the first World Trade Center bombing trials, the federal judiciary has conducted an increasing number of high-threat trials, such as those involving international and domestic terrorism, international drug trafficking, organized crime, and gang activity. Since fiscal year (FY) 2001, Congress has increased funding for judicial security by about 50 percent and authorized the USMS to hire 106 new Court Security Inspectors. However, Congress has expressed concern that 'as the program has grown sufficient attention has not been provided to program and budget administration….'"
United States. Department of Justice. Office of the Inspector General
2004-03
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Violence and the Pandemic: Urgent Questions for Research
From the Document: "The COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic is the deepest global crisis yet in the 21st century. Its effects radiate into every aspect of life. In this 'HFG [Harry Frank Guggenheim Foundation] Research and Policy in Brief', we address the implications of the pandemic for a problem of signal importance: violence. [...] So what exactly is happening as the pandemic unfolds to specific forms of violence, from civil wars, terrorism, and social unrest to gang homicides, child abuse, and bullying? What violence-fuelling mechanisms are triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic? How much variation is there globally in violent responses to the crisis? Will violence trends change direction as the crisis persists? What interventions can governments deliver to mitigate violence-promoting influences of the crisis, and how effective should we expect them to be? And what will happen to violence when the constraints on daily life are relaxed and economies return to--or at least toward--normal? Violence researchers across the world are uniquely equipped to formulate and provide timely answers to these and other urgent questions. High-quality research, grounded in theory and rigorous in methodology, on how the COVID-19 emergency affects violence, what we can learn from drops in violence, and how to counter increased violence can inform policy, practice, and action, as the pandemic continues to unfurl and as the globe grapples with its long-lasting aftermath."
Harry Frank Guggenheim Foundation
Eisner, Manuel; Nivette, Amy
2020-04
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Violent Non-State Actors and COVID-19: Challenge or Opportunity? Part 1 [video]
From the Description: "Has the pandemic created challenges or opportunities for non-state actors across the globe? Join us on May 26 for a look at how terrorist groups, transnational crime organizations, gangs and cartels have reacted to coronavirus and what the future may hold for their operations."
Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars
2020-05-27
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Violent Non-State Actors and COVID-19: Challenge or Opportunity? [inforgraphic]
This infographic contains information on "[h]ow COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] has affected terrorist groups, organized crime groups, cartels, and gangs in specific regions."
Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars
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Maximizing Intelligence Sharing Within the Los Angeles Police Department
From the thesis abstract: "After the terrorists' attacks in New York, law enforcement agencies at all levels find themselves grappling with their additional responsibilities now that homeland security is tantamount, along with the war on drugs and gangs still being a constant struggle. From the time of the attacks to the present day, most agencies are doing more work with less people; there is no funding, equipment, or new officers to replace the ones retiring. Officers everywhere are not only overwhelmed, but, more critically, they are under-estimated and under-trained. As a result of the attacks, officers are adding homeland security strategies into their existing crime prevention measures. This thesis will suggest ways in which one agency, the Los Angeles Police Department, can maximize its resources, training and equipment, thus capitalizing on the intelligence needed to be a leader in the identification of, prevention of and response to a terrorist attack."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security; Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Angeles, Tracey
2013-09
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Protecting Our Future-Developing a National School Security Standard
From the thesis abstract: "This research examines the risk to schoolchildren posed by hostile intruders and the implementation of a national school security standard designed to mitigate this vulnerability and evaluates the utility of innovative perimeter security strategies modeled to reduce risk while preserving the requisite academic environment. This project originated after the mass murder of 20 defenseless first-graders and six heroic faculty members at the Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut. A methodological analysis of existing school security policy was utilized to define the problem, to evaluate the variance between school communities, and to construct plausible alternative strategies. This project sought to enhance the understanding of risk management, offer strategic insight to decision makers and key stakeholders, and provide meaningful options for future school security planners. The literature on this subject demonstrates that traditional school security guidance is provided to local school districts by an array of federal agencies. It is primarily focused on incidents of peer hostility and gang violence, and there has been marginal attention given to an attack perpetrated by an adult intruder that is unaffiliated with the targeted school. This type of violence is infrequent, but the extreme consequences evoke emotions similar to terrorist attacks in creating public fear, often leading to rash and reactive decisions. Many parents trust leaders in the academic community to care for their children and provide them a safe and secure environment. This expectation of protection has become a significant responsibility for school officials, and the establishment of a national school security standard, complete with guidelines and oversight, would help ease this burden and change the present school security narrative."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security; Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Donaghey, Michael J.
2013-12
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Geography & Public Safety [August 2012]
This edition of "Geography and Public Safety" contains the following articles: "Criminal Justice and Public Health Approaches to Violent Crime: Complementary Perspectives"; "Integrating Emergency Department and Police Data to Locate and Prevent Violence: The Cardiff Model"; "Using Public Health Strategies to Reduce Violence in 'Hot Spots' in East Palo Alto, California"; "Comprehensive Community Based Information System to Reduce Youth and Gang Violence in Los Angeles County and Beyond"; and "What Can We Learn from Public Health? - An Example of Sharing Law Enforcement Spatial Data with Community Partners".
National Institute of Justice (U.S.); United States. Department of Justice. Office of Community Oriented Policing Services
2012-08
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Assessing the Adequacy of DHS Efforts to Prevent Child Deaths in Custody, Hearing Before the Subcommittee on Border Security, Facilitation, and Operations of the Committee on Homeland Security, House of Representatives, One Hundred Sixteenth Congress, Second Session, January 14, 2020
This is the January 14, 2020 hearing titled "Assessing the Adequacy of DHS Efforts to Prevent Child Deaths in Custody" before the House Subcommittee on Border Security, Facilitation, and Operations of the Committee on Homeland Security. From the opening statement of Kathleen M. Rice: "We have seen a dramatic increase in the numbers of families and children arriving on the Southern Border over the past several years. Most of these families and children arrived from Central America, fleeing vicious cartels, gang violence, and extreme poverty. After surviving long dangerous journeys, these families should have been met with safe refuge, but instead they encountered this administration's myriad of inhumane border policies like family separation, zero tolerance detention, and the Remain in Mexico policy. These policies and management decisions by the administration have contributed to mass overcrowding and wide-spread inhumane conditions at Customs and Border Protection facilities across our Southern Border." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Brian S. Hastings and Alexander L. Eastman.
United States. Government Publishing Office
2020
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EMR-ISAC: InfoGram, Volume 20 Issue 43, October 22, 2020
The Emergency Management and Response Information Sharing and Analysis Center's (EMR-ISAC) InfoGram is a weekly publication of information concerning the protection of critical infrastructures relevant to members of the Emergency Services Sector. This issue includes the following articles: "DHS Regional Resiliency Assessment Program"; "Converge training tackles a variety of topics"; "Role of ventilation, electrical wiring on arson investigation"; "Transportation Rail Incident Preparedness and Response training"; "When you can't have it all, build cyber resiliency instead"; "New NIST [National Institute of Standards and Technology] tool helps assess why employees click on phishing emails"; "Meet 'Egregor,' a New Ransomware Family to Watch"; and "Gangs are shifting targets and upping their ransom demands."
Emergency Management and Response-Information Sharing and Analysis Center (U.S.)
2020-10-22
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Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Salaries and Expenses: Fiscal Year 2011 Overview Congressional Justification
"Programs funded through the Salaries and Expenses account contribute to the ICE mission of bringing a unified and coordinated focus to the enforcement of federal immigration and customs laws. Salaries and Expenses resources are used to combat terrorism and illegal immigration activities through investigating, detaining, and prosecuting both criminal and other aliens, and domestic gangs. These activities protect the infrastructure and persons within the United States. […] U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) requests 20,550 positions, 20,164 FTE [Full Time Employees], and $5,439,100,000 for FY 2011 in the Salaries and Expenses (S&E) account. In order to accomplish the agency's objectives and mission, ICE requests $5,358,762,000 and 20,044 FTE to maintain current services and $80,338,000 and 120 FTE in program enhancements in the S&E account."
United States. Department of Homeland Security
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Tackling Human Trafficking: Assessing Federal, State, and Local Information-Sharing Efforts, Field Hearing Before the Subcommittee on Intelligence and Counterterrorism of the Committee on Homeland Security, House of Representatives, One Hundred Sixteenth Congress, First Session, October 28, 2019
This is the October 28, 2019 Field Hearing titled "Tackling Human Trafficking: Assessing Federal, State, and Local Information-Sharing Efforts" before the House Subcommittee on Intelligence and Counterterrorism of the Committee on Homeland Security. From the opening statement of Mark Walker: "Trafficking occurs in every State across the country. The vast majority relate to sex trafficking and the victims in women or girls. Sadly, human trafficking is one of the fastest-growing crimes in the United States. Our major highway system, our agriculture economy, and a growing number of criminal gangs have increased the prevalence of human trafficking within North Carolina. […] This bill, the Human Trafficking Detection Act of 2015, works to train and inform DHS personnel to do better in detecting and intersecting human traffickers as well as their victims specific to their professional roles as well as the making and the training curricula available to all State, local, and private-sector partners." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Christine S. Long, Ronnie A. Martinez, Carl L. Wall, II, and Aundrea Azelton.
United States. Government Publishing Office
2020
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Special Commentary: Outbreak: COVID-19, Crime, and Conflict
From the Document: "The COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic is the byproduct of illicit global trafficking. Although COVID-19 was likely transmitted to humans via pangolins sold in the wet markets of Wuhan, China, these markets acted as mere way stations for the virus. The natural habitats of the pangolins are the forests, grasslands, and savannahs of Africa. But, through a network of impoverished local communities, poachers, transnational organized crime, gangs and corrupt officials, approximately 2.7 million of this endangered species are captured and smuggled to Asia every year. [...] The illicit global network of wildlife trafficking was a major facilitator of the pandemic, but the effects of the virus' spread are, in turn, facilitating more criminal activities while creating the potential for greater internal instability in many states. The contagion-crime nexus has been overshadowed by the urgent need to combat the spread of the virus. Nonetheless, COVID-19 is acting as an amplifier for crime and conflict that will have repercussions in the international security environment in the near and long term."
Army War College (U.S.). Strategic Studies Institute
Kan, Paul Rexton
2020-05-14
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Political Change in China: Public Participation and Local Governance Reforms, Roundtable Before the Congressional-Executive Commission on China, One Hundred Ninth Congress, Second Session, May 15, 2006
This is the May 15, 2006 roundtable titled "Political Change in China: Public Participation and Local Governance Reforms" held before the Congressional-Executive Commission on China. From the opening statement of David Dorman: "More Chinese citizens want a voice in the decisions that affect their lives, and some activists have publicly called for change. Environmental activists have challenged the government on hydroelectric and other infrastructure projects. Intellectuals have submitted positions criticizing authoritarian policies, and rural farmers are forming associations to protect their collective interests. But Chinese officials use regulations, and sometimes prison terms, to suppress direct criticism of senior government leaders or Communist Party rule. At the same time, the government is experimenting with some limited governance reforms. These reforms seek expansion of citizen political participation at the local level, while giving the Party new tools to govern a rapidly changing China." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Merle Goldman, Joseph Fewsmth, and Gang Xie.
United States. Government Printing Office
2006
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Designating Domestic Terrorist Individuals or Groups
From the thesis abstract: "Terrorism is a crime committed by individuals with a political or social agenda designed to influence a government or its population. The U.S. government, state and local law enforcement agencies have, as a priority, the mission of protecting the homeland from the threats of terrorism-domestic or foreign. However, the U.S. government has not effectively defined what constitutes a domestic terrorist with the same processes and vigor used to identify international terrorists, gang members, or sex offenders. The lack of a workable definition and validation process for identifying a 'domestic terrorist' places law enforcement and homeland security agencies in a position of having to balance the need to protect constitutional rights and the need to protect against the nation's security threats. To this end, this thesis will identify the problems associated with a lack of a comprehensive definition, address the safeguards required in a definition to ensure constitutionally protected rights are not impinged, and will offer a working definition and designation process."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security; Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Heller, David E.
2010-09
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Central America Regional Security Initiative: Background and Policy Issues for Congress [March 30, 2011]
"The security situation in Central America has deteriorated in recent years as gangs, drug traffickers, and other criminal groups have expanded their activities in the region, contributing to escalating levels of crime and violence that have alarmed citizens and threaten to overwhelm governments. Violence is particularly intense in the 'northern triangle' countries of El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras, which have some of the highest homicide rates in the world. Citizens of nearly every Central American nation now rank public insecurity as the top problem facing their countries. Moreover, some analysts maintain that the pervasive lack of security in the region not only threatens Central American governments and civil society, but presents a potential threat to the United States. Given the proximity of Central America, instability in the region-- whether in the form of declining support for democracy as a result of corrupt governance, drug traffickers acting with impunity as a result of weak state presence, or increased emigration as a result of economic and physical insecurity--is likely to affect the United States."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Meyer, Peter J.; Seelke, Clare Ribando
2011-03-30
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Mérida Initiative for Mexico and Central America: Funding and Policy Issues [April 19, 2010]
"Increasing violence perpetrated by drug trafficking organizations and other criminal groups is threatening citizen security in Mexico and Central America. Drug trafficking-related violence claimed more than 6,500 lives in Mexico in 2009, and several Central American countries have among the world's highest homicide rates. Mexican drug trafficking organizations (DTOs) dominate the illicit drug market in the United States and are expanding their operations by forming partnerships with U.S. gangs. […]. Congress has also monitored enforcement of Mérida's human rights conditions, particularly with respect to Mexico. Congress is playing a role in the design of post-Mérida security cooperation with Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean Basin during its consideration of the Obama Administration's FY2011 budget request. For FY2011, the Administration has asked for $310 million in assistance for Mérida programs in Mexico, $100 million for CARSI, and $79 million for CBSI. Detailed strategy documents for CARSI and CBSI are not yet available, but Secretary of State Hillary Clinton announced a new strategy for U.S.-Mexican security cooperation after a high-level meeting in Mexico City on March 23, 2010. The plan focuses on (1) disrupting organized criminal groups; (2) institutionalizing the rule of law; (3) building a 21st-century border; and (4) building strong and resilient communities. This report provides an overview of the funding provided for the Mérida Initiative and related assistance programs in Central America and the Caribbean, the status of Mérida implementation, and a discussion of some policy issues that Congress may consider as it oversees the initiative and related programs."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Seelke, Clare Ribando
2010-04-19
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Jamaica: Political and Economic Conditions and U.S. Relations [February 3, 2006]
From the Document: "Although Jamaica has a stable parliamentary democracy and is a middle-income developing country, the government of Prime Minister P.J. Patterson faces several significant challenges. These include a violent crime wave fueled by gangs and drug trafficking; high external debt, estimated at 135% of gross domestic product, that could constrain the governments social expenditures; and an adult HIV/AIDS infection rate of over 1%. U.S. relations with Jamaica are close and characterized by significant economic linkages and cooperation on such bilateral issues as anti-drug trafficking measures, hurricane reconstruction support, and efforts to combat the AIDS epidemic. Overall U.S. foreign aid to Jamaica amounted to about $41 million in FY2005 (with $18 million for hurricane assistance) and an estimated $19 million in overall aid for FY2006. This report will not be updated. For further information, see CRS Report RL32160, Caribbean Region: Issues in U.S. Relations, and CRS Report RL32001, AIDS in the Caribbean and Central America, both by Mark P. Sullivan."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sullivan, Mark P.
2006-02-03
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Central America Regional Security Initiative: Background and Policy Issues for Congress [July 26, 2012]
"The security situation in Central America has deteriorated in recent years as gangs, drug traffickers, and other criminal groups have expanded their activities in the region, contributing to escalating levels of crime and violence that have alarmed citizens and threaten to overwhelm governments. Violence is particularly intense in the 'northern triangle' countries of El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras, which have some of the highest homicide rates in the world. Citizens of nearly every Central American nation now rank public insecurity as the top problem facing their countries. The World Bank estimates that the overall economic costs of crime and violence average 7.5% of gross domestic product (GDP) in Central America. Moreover, some analysts maintain that the pervasive lack of security in the region not only threatens Central American governments and civil society, but presents a potential threat to the United States. Given the proximity of Central America, instability in the region--whether in the form of declining support for democracy as a result of corrupt governance, drug traffickers acting with impunity as a result of weak state presence, or increased emigration as a result of economic and physical insecurity-- is likely to affect the United States. Although some analysts assert that the current situation in Central America presents a greater threat to regional security than the civil wars of the 1980s, policymakers have only recently begun to offer increased attention and financial support to the region. During the 1980s, the United States provided Central America with an average of nearly $1.3 billion (constant 2010 U.S. dollars) annually in economic and military assistance to support efforts to combat leftist political movements."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Meyer, Peter J.; Seelke, Clare Ribando
2012-07-26
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Honduras: Political and Economic Situation and U.S. Relations [Updated October 13, 2006]
"Honduras faces significant challenges in the areas of crime and human rights and improving overall economic and living conditions in one of the hemisphere's poorest countries. In November 2005, Hondurans elected Manuel Zelaya of the Liberal Party as president in an election marred by technical difficulties that delayed the official count. The United States has a close relationship with Honduras, characterized by significant foreign assistance, an important trade partnership, a U.S. military presence in the country, and cooperation on a range of transnational issues. Honduras is a party to the U.S.-Dominican Republic-Central America Free Trade Agreement (DR-CAFTA), which was approved by the Honduran Congress in March 2005 and by the U.S. Congress in July 2005 (P.L. 109-53). The agreement entered into force with Honduras on April 1, 2006. In February 2006, the Department of Homeland Security announced the extension of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for some 75,000 eligible Hondurans in the United States until July 5, 2007; TPS had been scheduled to expire on July 5, 2006. For additional information, see CRS Report RL31870, The Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement (DR-CAFTA); CRS Report RS20844, Temporary Protected Status: Current Immigration Policy and Issues; and CRS Report RS22141, Gangs in Central America."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sullivan, Mark P.
2006-10-13
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Gun Legislation in the 109th Congress [Updated September 15, 2006]
"Congress continues to debate the efficacy and constitutionality of federal regulation of firearms and ammunition. It is a contentious debate, with strong advocates for and against the further federal regulation of firearms. Gun control advocates argue that federal regulation of firearms curbs access by criminals, juveniles, and other 'high-risk' individuals. They contend that only federal measures can successfully reduce the availability of guns throughout the nation. Some seek broad policy changes such as near-prohibition of non-police handgun ownership or the registration of all firearms or firearm owners. They assert that there is no constitutional barrier to such measures and no significant social costs. Others advocate fewer comprehensive policies that they maintain would not impede ownership and legitimate firearm transfers. Gun control opponents deny that federal policies keep firearms out of the hands of high-risk persons; rather, they argue, controls often create burdens for law-abiding citizens and infringe upon constitutional rights provided by the Second Amendment. Some argue further that widespread gun ownership is one of the best deterrents to crime as well as to potential tyranny, whether by gangs or by government. They may also criticize the notion of enhancing federal, as opposed to state, police powers. Additional firearm-related issues that may receive consideration include (1) retaining Brady background check records for approved firearm transactions to enhance terrorist screening, (2) more strictly regulating certain long-range fifty caliber rifles, (3) further regulating certain firearms previously defined in statute as 'assault weapons,' and (4) requiring background checks for private firearm transfers at gun shows."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
2006-09-15
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Mexico's Drug Cartels [October 16, 2007]
"Mexico, a major drug producing and transit country, is the main foreign supplier of marijuana and a major supplier of methamphetamine to the United States. Although Mexico accounts for only a small share of worldwide heroin production, it supplies a large share of heroin consumed in the United States. An estimated 90% of cocaine entering the United States transits Mexico. Violence in the border region has affected U.S. citizens. More than 60 Americans have been kidnaped in Nuevo Laredo, and in July 2007, Mexican drug cartels reportedly threatened to kill a U.S. journalist covering drug violence in the border region. The United States and Mexico are reportedly negotiating a new counternarcotics initiative. This report provides an overview of: Mexican cartels and their operations, including the nature of cartel ties to gangs such as the Mara Salvatrucha; Mexican cartel drug production in the United States; and the presence of Mexican cartel cells in the United States. Mexican cartels allegedly have used their vast financial resources to corrupt Mexican public officials who either turn a blind eye to cartel activities or work directly for them. Since 2005, the Mexican government has made numerous efforts to purge corrupt police. In December 2006, President Felipe Calderon launched operations against the cartels in 9 of Mexico's 32 states. He has pledged to use extradition as a tool against drug traffickers, and sent 64 criminals to the United States as of August 2007, including the alleged head of the Gulf Cartel."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Cook, Colleen W.
2007-10-16
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El Salvador: Political, Economic, and Social Conditions and Relations with the United States [January 13, 2005]
"Tony Saca, a businessman from the conservative National Republican Alliance (ARENA) party, was inaugurated as president for a five-year term in June 2004. President Saca faces the challenges of restarting a stagnating economy, passing legislation in a polarized political environment, and combating gang violence. Although 70% of Salvadorans approve of his overall job performance, a majority disprove of his decision to maintain a contingent of 380 Salvadoran soldiers in Iraq. The United States is working with President Saca to combat narco-trafficking, to resolve immigration issues, and to promote free trade, possibly through the proposed United States- Dominican Republic-Central America Free Trade Agreement (DR-CAFTA). On December 17, 2004, El Salvador became the first country in Central America to ratify DR-CAFTA. On January 6, 2005, the U.S. government extended the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) of undocumented Salvadoran migrants living in the United States until September 9, 2006. This report will be updated as events warrant. For further information, see CRS [Congressional Research Service] Report RL32322, 'Central America and the Dominican Republic in the Context of the Free Trade Agreement (DR-CAFTA) with the United States.'"
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Seelke, Clare Ribando
2005-01-13
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El Salvador: Background and U.S. Relations [Updated July 1, 2020]
From the Introduction: "This report examines political, economic, security, and human rights conditions in El Salvador. It then analyzes selected issues in U.S.-Salvadoran relations that have been of particular interest to Congress, including foreign assistance, migration, security cooperation in addressing gangs and counternarcotics issues, human rights, and trade."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Seelke, Clare Ribando
2020-07-01
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Merida Initiative: Proposed U.S. Anticrime and Counterdrug Assistance for Mexico and Central America [March 18, 2008]
"Increasing violence perpetrated by drug cartels, youth gangs, and other criminal groups is threatening citizen security and democracy in Mexico and Central America. Mexican and Central American government efforts to combat drug trafficking and organized crime have been hindered by inadequate resources, corruption, and weak judicial systems. On October 22, 2007, the United States and Mexico issued a joint statement announcing the Mérida Initiative, a multi-year plan for U.S. assistance to Mexico and Central America aimed at helping those governments combat drug trafficking and other criminal organizations. The Administration requested $500 million for Mexico and $50 million for Central America in the FY2008 supplemental appropriations request. To date, there is no legislative vehicle for the funding request. The Administration requested another $450 million for Mexico and $100 million for Central America in the FY2009 budget request."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Cook, Colleen W.; Rush, Rebecca G.; Seelke, Clare Ribando
2008-03-18
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Dangerous Passage: Central America in Crisis and the Exodus of Unaccompanied Minors, Hearing Before the U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, One Hundred Thirteenth Congress, Second Session, July 17, 2014
This testimony compilation is from the July 17, 2014 hearing, "Dangerous Passage: Central America in Crisis and the Exodus of Unaccompanied Minors," before the U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations. From the testimony of Thomas Shannonon: "We are facing an acute crisis on our southern border, as tens of thousands of children leave Honduras, Guatemala, and El Salvador to travel through Mexico to the United States. Driven by a mixture of motives and circumstances, these children are seeking reunification with their parents, better life opportunities, and, in some cases, safety from violence and criminal gang activity. The human drama of this migration is heightened by the nefarious role of human smugglers. Smuggling networks exploit these children and their parents, preying on their desperation and hope, while exposing the children to grave dangers, abuse, and sometimes injury and death along a journey of more than one thousand miles." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Thomas Shannon, Jr., Bruce Swartz, Sonia Nazario, Cynthia Arnson, and Stephen Johnson.
United States. Congress. Senate. Committee on Foreign Relations
2014-07-17
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Honduran-U.S. Relations [December 13, 2007]
"The Central American nation of Honduras, one of the hemisphere's poorest countries, faces significant challenges in the areas of crime, human rights, and improving overall economic and living conditions. While traditional agricultural exports of coffee and bananas are still important for the economy, nontraditional sectors, especially the maquiladora, or export-processing industry, have grown significantly over the past decade. Among the country's development challenges are a poverty rate over 70%, high infant mortality, and a significant HIV/AIDS epidemic. Despite these challenges, increased public spending on health and education have reaped significant improvements in development indicators over the past decade. Current President Manuel Zelaya of the Liberal Party won a four-year term in the November 2005 elections. The country has enjoyed 25 years of uninterrupted elected civilian democratic rule. The economy, which grew 6% in 2006 and is forecast to grow 6% in 2007, has benefitted from significant debt reduction by the international financial institutions that is freeing government resources to finance poverty-reduction programs. A key challenge for the government is curbing violent crime and the growth of youth gangs. The United States has a close relationship with Honduras, characterized by an important trade partnership, a U.S. military presence in the country, and cooperation on a range of transnational issues. Some 78,000 Hondurans living in the United States who have been provided temporary protected status (TPS) since 1998 when the country was devastated by Hurricane Mitch. […]. The Millennium Challenge Corporation approved a five-year $215 million compact with Honduras in 2005."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sullivan, Mark P.; Olhero, Nelson
2007-12-13
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Assessing Venezuela's Political Crisis: Human Rights Violations and Beyond, Hearing Before the Committee on Foreign Relations, United States Senate, One Hundred Thirteenth Congress, Second Session, May 8, 2014
This is the May 8, 2014 hearing on "Assessing Venezuela's Political Crisis: Human Rights Violations and Beyond" held before the U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations. From the opening statement of Committee Chairman Robert Menendez: "Let me welcome today's panelists from the Department of State, Duke University, the Carnegie Endowment, and Human Rights Watch, which this week released a deeply troubling report on the scale of human rights violations in Venezuela, a report documenting human rights abuses far worse than I had anticipated. The report documents how Venezuelan security forces, often in collaboration with colectivos, armed pro-government gangs, have systematically violated the rights of students, women, men, members of the political opposition, and journalists. […] Today's hearing is an opportunity for us to understand what role the United States has played and should play, given the current crisis in Venezuela. […] We must also look at the future implications of the deteriorating political and economic conditions in Venezuela, and its potential impact on Caribbean and Central American nations that have benefited from Venezuelan subsidized oil shipments. Finally, we must assess the destabilizing role that Cuba is playing in Venezuela and the very real security challenges from transnational criminal enterprises operating in the country, as well as the signs of their collusion with members of the Venezuelan Government." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Roberta S. Jacobson, Tomasz P. Malinowski, Patrick D. Duddy, Moisés Naím, and José Miguel Vivanco.
United States. Government Publishing Office
2017
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Death Penalty: Capital Punishment Legislation in the 110th Congress [September 7, 2007]
"The Death Penalty: Capital Punishment Legislation in the 110th Congress Summary Most capital offenses are state crimes. In 1994, however, Congress revived the death penalty as a federal sentencing option. More than a few federal statutes now proscribe offenses punishable by death. A number of bills have been offered during the 110th Congress to modify federal law in the area. One, S. 447 (Sen. Feingold), would abolish the federal death penalty. Others would increase the number of capital offenses to include one or more newly created offenses or existing non-capital offenses newly designated as capital offenses […]. Numbered among the new capital offenses and newly designated capital offenses are murder related to street gang offenses or Travel Act violations, murder committed during and in relation to drug trafficking, murder committed in the course of evading border inspection, murder of disaster assistance workers, and various terrorism-related murders. A third category of proposals would adjust in one way or another the procedures used to try and sentence capital defendants, including those relating to where a capital offense may be tried, the appointment of counsel in capital cases, the pre-trial notification which the parties must exchange in capital cases, the procedures that apply when the defendant claims to be mentally retarded, adjustments in the statutory aggravating and mitigating circumstances, jury matters, and the site of federal executions."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Doyle, Charles
2007-09-07
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Mexico's Drug Cartels [Updated February 25, 2008]
"Mexico, a major drug producing and transit country, is the main foreign supplier of marijuana and a major supplier of methamphetamine to the United States. Although Mexico accounts for only a small share of worldwide heroin production, it supplies a large share of heroin consumed in the United States. An estimated 90% of cocaine entering the United States transits Mexico. Violence in the border region has affected U.S. citizens and more than 60 Americans have been kidnapped in Nuevo Laredo. In July 2007, Mexican drug cartels reportedly threatened to kill a U.S. journalist covering drug violence in the border region. The proposed Mérida Initiative would provide at least $950 million to combat drug and organized crime. […] Felipe Calderón has called drug violence a threat to the Mexican state. This report provides an overview of: Mexican cartels and their operations, including the nature of cartel ties to gangs such as the Mara Salvatrucha; Mexican cartel drug production in the United States; and the presence of Mexican cartel cells in the United States. Mexican cartels allegedly have used their vast financial resources to corrupt Mexican public officials who either turn a blind eye to cartel activities or work directly for them. Since 2005, the Mexican government has made numerous efforts to purge corrupt police. In December 2006, President Felipe Calderón launched operations against the cartels in 9 of Mexico's 32 states. He has pledged to use extradition as a tool against drug traffickers, and sent 73 criminals to the United States as of August 2007, including the alleged head of the Gulf Cartel. This report also examines potential policy approaches to the problem of drug trafficking and violence. Current U.S. and Mexican policy emphasizes interdiction and eradication."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Cook, Colleen W.
2008-02-25
