Dear John,

Last week, WOLA Director for Drug Policy John Walsh and I attended the 2025 International Drug Policy Reform Conference in Detroit, Michigan. Convened biannually by the Drug Policy Alliance, this flagship event brought together hundreds of people working to end the failed ‘war on drugs,’ from the United States and all around the world.

At a time when the Trump administration has unlawfully killed over 80 people in military strikes in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific, we know it’s more important than ever for WOLA to join forces with domestic and community-level partners in opposing these destructive actions and advocating for drug policies that actually keep families and communities safe. That means giving people access to the vital services they need to live their lives, especially people struggling with addiction and the barriers to care imposed by stigma and criminalization.

The Reform Conference allowed us to forge new partnerships, share information, workshop advocacy strategies, and plan for 2026. The stories and powerful activism of those directly impacted by the drug war renew our determination to work across movements as we take this fight forward together, ensuring that communities’ voices at home and abroad cannot be ignored by U.S. policymakers.

Sincerely, 

Stephanie Brewer

Director for Mexico

For human rights activists across Latin America right now, the stakes are high. Violence around elections is on the rise, as are threats against those who speak in favor of justice and accountability.

Your support of WOLA creates space to amplify the voices of those who put their life on the line to champion human rights; from Caracas, to San Salvador, and everywhere in between.

"As for the political and geostrategic interests of the United States, there are two. On the one hand, Marco Rubio and several members of the Trump administration seek to overthrow Nicolás Maduro, and to that end they are gradually increasing pressure on his regime. They are using military pressure as one of the tools to achieve this." This article is in Spanish.

Adam Isacson

Director for Defense Oversight

– El Espectador, En video: primera lancha destruida en el Pacífico por EE. UU. en la operación “Lanza del sur”

“Voter sentiment in Honduras is driven by deep frustration over insecurity, economic stagnation, corruption and fatigue with the ruling Libre party and opposition leaders. Many voters seek change after unmet expectations under President Xiomara Castro, though distrust in institutions remains high. All major political parties have faced corruption allegations, and the outcome remains uncertain amid broad disillusionment with the political class. There is a high risk of contested electoral results due to deep public mistrust and weak electoral institutions. The National Electoral Council is politically divided, and past elections have been plagued by logistical failures and allegations of manipulation.”

Ana María Méndez Dardón

Director for Central America

– The Dialogue, What Factors Will Decide Honduras’ Upcoming Election?

"[U.S. military strikes in the Caribbean] can’t be prosecuted because we say they can’t,’ or ‘it’s legal because we say it is’ is obviously not enough of a justification, and we don’t have a view into what convoluted lawyering they’re doing — if any — to come to this conclusion”

Adam Isacson

Director for Defense Oversight

– The Independent, ‘Just following orders’? Experts doubt legal memo shields troops from prosecution over Trump’s boat strikes

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