Category Archives: IALR Posts

Colombia, the U.S., and the Politics of Earthquake Aid

By: Evvie Kaczkowski  The typically secluded region of San José del Palmar, Colombia, has found itself at the center of international attention after it became the epicenter of a magnitude-7.4 earthquake on August 10, 2026. At least 331 people were killed, and more than 406,000 are in desperate need of aid. Within hours of the […]

From the Platt Amendment to a ‘Friendly Takeover’: U.S. Influence and the Future of Cuba

By: Mariana Perez On February 27, 2026, President Donald Trump floated the idea of a “friendly takeover” of Cuba. After a campaign event in Texas, he stated, “[t]he Cuban government is talking with us. They’re in a big deal of trouble… They have no money, they have no anything right now. But they’re talking with […]

Digital Sovereignty or Digital Censorship? Brazil’s Social Media Crackdown and the Inter-American Right to Free Expression

By Daniel Comas-Sanchez In August 2024, Brazil’s Supreme Federal Court ordered the suspension of the social media platform X after the company failed to comply with judicial orders requiring it to appoint a legal representative in the country and follow court directives related to ongoing investigations into misinformation and online threats. The dispute, which had […]

Press Freedom and Democratic Transition in Haiti: The Inter-American Commission’s Recent Warning

By: Macey Hays  Haiti has faced profound political instability and escalating violence in recent years, marked by the absence of a president, the lack of elections, violent gang warfare, and economic chaos. In such a fragile democratic context, independent media plays a critical role in informing the public and holding authorities accountable. However, reporters in […]