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Military Aid and Training  The United States has a long and unfortunate history of creating and feeding military violence in Latin America. From the Cold War era to the War on Drugs and Terror today, U.S. military aid and training in the hemisphere have contributed to human rights violations, supported corrupt and cruel governments, and protected the economic interests of multinational corporations and national elites at the expense of the poor majority. Witness for Peace monitors the on-the-ground impacts of U.S. tax dollars in Latin America and works to change our foreign policy so that we can support human rights and sustainable development. Currently our goals are to:
 Coup: US Regresses, Hondurans March
The coup regime in Honduras continues to cling to power, despite massive pro-democracy mobilizations there. Meanwhile, the U.S. response remains sluggish and two-faced. In August President Obama called groups like WFP "hypocritical" for levying such critiques. It's time to set the record straight.
 Guadalajara: Obama Backpedals on Change
On August 9, President Obama went to Guadalajara, Mexico to meet with his Mexican and Canadian counterparts for the fifth North American Leaders Summit. Did he stake out a change-oriented roadmap for immigration, NAFTA, or Mexico's drug war? No, no, and no.
 Letter to Clinton on Honduras
See our July 23 letter to Secretary of State Clinton and Assistant Secretary of State Tom Shannon, asking them to revoke the Honduran coup-plotters' U.S. visas and cease operations at the still-active U.S. military base in Honduras.
Reports
Honduras Coup Exposed
The Honduran military and police continue to play a key role in propping up the coup regime that overthrew the democratically elected president of Honduras in June. A broad coalition of human rights leaders, activists, union members, farmers, students, and community members have poured into the streets of Honduras to struggle for their democracy though they face constant intimidation, illegal detention, assault, and even assassination. Learn about the roots of this crisis and the US response to the coup.
Rapid-Response Delegation Findings
From September 5-12, 2009, a ten-member Witness for Peace delegation traveled to post-coup Honduras in response to accusations of wide-spread human rights abuses. Read their report here.
Honduras: Restore Civil Liberties, Protect Human Rights
Witness for Peace joins other faith-based and nongovernmental groups in calling for an end to the human rights crisis in Honduras
The wrong solution for Mexico's crime wave
by Todd Miller, Northwest Arkansas Times WFP Mexico team member provides this analysis of the war on drugs in Mexico; a "war" that abuses the civilian population, dramatically increases violence, and arguably has very little effect on the flow of illegal drugs to the largest market in the world, the United States.
Military response won’t halt drug flow
by Jenaro Rodriguez, The Tribune-Democrat Letter to the editor on Mexico's drug-related violence and NAFTA by WFP supporter Jenaro Rodriguez.
Military approach not enough to win drug war
by Luisa Torres, The Daily Gazette Letter to the editor on Mexico's drug-related violence and NAFTA by WFP supporter Luisa Torres.
The Wrong Solution to Mexico's Security Crisis
by Todd Miller, NACLA WFP Mexico team member provides this analysis of the war on drugs in Mexico; a "war" that abuses the civilian population, dramatically increases violence, and arguably has very little effect on the flow of illegal drugs to the largest market in the world, the United States.
Skip Merida, fix NAFTA
by Joseph Perez, The Daily Telegram Letter to the editor on Mexico's drug-related violence and NAFTA by WFP supporter Joseph Perez.
Statement on Coup in Honduras
Witness for Peace joins other faith-based and nongovernmental groups in condemning the coup in Honduras and expressing concern for human rights situation
 Watch a WFP documentary on the War on Drugs
Journey to the heart of coca country in Colombia, and hear first hand testimony of the impacts of chemical spraying in this exclusive video produced by the WFP Colombia team.
 The Merida Initiative: Human Rights Sacrificed in the Name of Public Security
The Merida Initiative is a three year package totaling $1.4 billion designed to combat organized crime and drug trafficking in Mexico and Central America. With the Initiative's inherent focus on a military approach to public security many worry that the protection of human rights will be ignored.
 Colombian Trade Unionists Speak Out at the Gates of the School of the Americas
WFP Executive Director Melinda St. Louis, two Colombian trade unionists, and Dr. Aviva Chomsky speak from the main stage at the November School of the Americas Vigil.
 Colombia's Cooperative Farmers:
Hoping for Changes in Plan Colombia
by WFP Colombia Team WFP Colombia team interviews Rene Ausecha, from the Cooperative Association of Southern Cauca, about his vision for a different U.S. policy in Colombia.
 The Latest in the Failed U.S. Drug War in Colombia
Download this latest report from the WFP Colombia team: Forced Manual Eradication: The Wrong Solution to the Failed U.S. Counter-Narcotics Policy in Colombia
 Examples of Failure: COSURCA Coffee Hit Again by U.S.-Backed Fumigation While Coca Production in Colombia Remains Steady
May 2007. Despite over $5 billion and approximately two million acres fumigated in Colombia, the State Department reports increased coca production—the raw material for cocaine—during Plan Colombia’s seven years. For years Witness for Peace and others have documented that U.S.-backed fumigation has destroyed legitimate crops. In a representative example of a widespread problem, for the second time in two years a coffee producers’ cooperative, COSURCA, has been wrongly fumigated. The evidence is clear—the fumigation policy has failed and must be discontinued. The program has failed to accomplish its stated goal of reducing coca production and has destroyed the livelihoods of family farmers. Read a COSURCA report on the 2005 round of fumigations that destroyed numerous crops. Leer el informe en Español.
 COSURCA Report on Aerial Fumigation in Cauca
Detailed analysis describing the impacts of aerial fumigation in Colombia. Study shows how the spraying of herbicide caused widespread economic and environmental damage, undermining the very support structures which help keep rural families from entering the armed conflict and illicit crop production.
Just the Facts
Forced Eradication and Fumigation of Coca Crops
It's time to end U.S.-funded aerial fumigations and forced manual eradication.
Take Action
 Be a Voice for Peace in Colombia April 16-19, 2010—National Days of Action for Colombia
Thousands of innocent civilians are dead. Millions have been forcibly displaced. Help us stop it. Be a voice for peace in Colombia! Join us for the April 16-19, 2010 National Days of Action for Colombia.
 Don't Support Human Rights Abusers
Ask President Obama to continue suspending U.S. Military Aid to the Honduran security forces accused of widespread human rights violations.
Call for New Policy in Colombia
Speak up for peace in Colombia! Ask your member of Congress to sign a letter to Sec. of State Clinton calling for a cut in military aid and respect for human rights in Colombia.
 Follow WFP on Facebook
Follow WFP on Facebook and receive updates on breaking news regarding U.S. policy toward Latin America.
A Call for New U.S.-Colombia Policy
McGovern-Schakowsky-Payne-Honda Dear Colleague Letter on U.S. Aid to Colombia
 Close the School of the Americas!
Join us at the 2009 Vigil to Close the School of the Americas. See a schedule of WFP hosted events, including three protests against corporations committing crimes in Colombia.
Stand with Hondurans
Help stop the human rights violations and military repression of peaceful protests in Honduras.
 Honduras Coup: Expose the Truth
Mainstream media coverage of the June 28 Honduran coup has been laden with misinformation, while widespread human rights violations have gone largely unreported. Get the truth out in your community by submitting a quick letter to the editor.
 Help Us End the “War on Drugs”:
Don’t Resuscitate a Dying Ideology
It’s that time again—the time when our representatives decide how to spend our tax money abroad, the time when they craft our country’s response to drug wars in Colombia and in Mexico, the time when they decide whether to address root causes or to fight violence with more violence. It’s time for us to speak some sense to them.
Halt More Drug War Aid for Mexico
Congress has already given Mexico $700 million through the Merida Initiative to fight the failed "war on drugs." Now Congress wants another $470 million to blow on military helicopters.
 Martha's Call for Support
Martha Giraldo, whose father was killed at the hands of the U.S.-backed Colombian military, needs your support today. Please take one minute to send a message to help save lives.
End Chemical Spraying in the Amazon!
Fumigation in Colombia is inhumane, ineffective and environmentally destructive. Sign our petition to President Obama to stop it now.
 Be a Voice for Peace in Colombia
April 20, 2009—National Day of Action for Colombia
With four million Colombians forcibly displaced from their homes by a debilitating war, Colombia has just been declared the worst internal displacement crisis in the world. On April 20 join tens of thousands across the U.S. and Colombia to call for a new U.S. policy toward Colombia.
 Together we beat the Pentagon!
The House of Representatives passes an amendment forcing the School of the Americas/WHISC to release names to the public!
 Days of Prayer and Action for Colombia
The 2008 Days of Prayer and Action for Colombia were a great success. Approximately 300 churches in North America joined with our Colombian sisters and brothers to pray and act for peace.
 Plan Mexico - Talking Points
The Merida Initiative, popularly dubbed "Plan Mexico", would provide $1.4 billion to Mexican and Central American security forces in the name of combating drug trafficking and crime.
News Articles
 Videos from the 2009 Vigil to Close the SOA
Two videos of human rights activists from Colombia speaking from the gates of the School of the Americas at the 2009 Vigil to Close the SOA.
Rise in Colombia extrajudicial killings may be linked to pressures on military
by Rebecca Adule, Harvard Law Record November 20th, 2009 In March 2006, Martha Giraldo returned to her father’s farm outside of Cali, Colombia, to find the property surrounded by soldiers and her father dead. Giraldo speaks about the impunity enjoyed by the government actors carrying out extrajudicial killings of Colombian civilians.
New Podcast: Colombian Indigenous Activist Speaks on Plan Colombia
Rafael Coicue from the Association of Indigenous Councils speaks about Plan Colombia and the Colombia Free Trade Agreement on a WFP-sponsored speaker tour.
 Live from Honduras: A country under siege
Two weeks after the illegal military coup in Honduras, WFP participated in an emergency delegation to expose an alarming wave of human rights violations and show solidarity with Hondurans' struggle for democracy. Click for on-the-ground photos, video, and analysis.
Hey, Congress, want to save a few million?
by Jess Hunter-Bowman, The Register Citizen June 30th, 2009 WFP Andean Regional Director, Jess Hunter-Bowman, calls on Congress to end the costly, ineffective and unethical aerial fumigation program in Colombia.
Protesters block streets as Obama, Uribe talk free trade
CNN June 29th, 2009 President Barack Obama discussed a free-trade agreement with his Colombian counterpart Monday, while scores of protesters clogged streets near the White House to demonstrate against the pact.
Military Aid to Mexico: Not A Solution
Will military aid to Mexico end the drug war? The war on drugs in Mexico is a "war" that abuses the civilian population, dramatically increases violence, and arguably has very little effect on the flow of illegal drugs to the largest market in the world, the U.S. Military aid is the wrong approach to Mexico's problems in the face of the international financial crisis which has resulted in the reduction of remittances and threatens to push impoverished Mexicans into complete economic desperation. A healthy economy in Mexico and a reduced demand for drugs in the U.S. would drastically weaken the appeal of drug cartels and organized crime.
More of the same drug war isn’t the answer
by Jess Hunter-Bowman, The Providence Journal In the wake of President Obama's visit to Mexico, WFP Andean Regional Director provides a hard-hitting analysis of the failed U.S. drug war in this op-ed.
Piden a Obama frenar Plan Colombia y TLC
by Con información de EFE, El Espectador April 20th, 2009 El Espectador, a Colombian newspaper, reports on the protest in Washington calling for a shift from military aid for Colombia to humanitarian assistance for the displaced and a continued hold on the U.S.-Colombia FTA.
Marcha en seis ciudades de E.U. harán el lunes para protestar contra el desplazamiento en Colombia
by Sergio Gómez Maseri, El Tiempo April 19th, 2009 Colombia's largest daily, El Tiempo, reports on the U.S. activities for the National Day of Action for Peace in Colombia.
Poisoned Crops and a Failed Drug Policy
by Jess Hunter-Bowman, The Daily News Tribune March 5th, 2009 An opinion piece by Andean Regional Director Jess Hunter-Bowman indicates that chemical spraying in the Amazon is a failed drug policy with terrible consequences for Colombian farmers.
Halt U.S. aid to Colombian military
by Jess Hunter-Bowman, Northwest Arkansas Times January 14th, 2009 An opinion piece by Andean Regional Director Jess Hunter-Bowman suggests military aid to Colombia should be halted due to a reported increase in killings by the Colombian military.
Extrajudicial Killings in Colombia
View this WFP original video featuring Martha Giraldo, whose father was killed at the hands of the Colombian military.
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