Category Archives: IALR Posts

Deforestation Levels in Brazil’s Cerrado Region Outpace Levels in the Amazon

Photo Credit: REUTERS/Amanda Perobelli By: Elizabeth Arritola, 2L The Cerrado is a biodiverse savanna region in Brazil located southeast of the Amazon. Although the Cerrado is not as well-known as the Amazon, it houses over 800 bird species and almost 200 mammals, providing up to 30% of Brazil’s biodiversity. The Cerrado also has 60 vulnerable animal species. Many of […]

Open Borders vs. Open Waters: Can Texas Block the Flow?

Photo Credit: Go Nakamura / Reuters By: Alexis Phelps, 2L On July 24, 2023, the Department of Justice filed a lawsuit against Texas and its governor, Greg Abbott, for placing a floating buoy barrier across the Rio Grande to deter illegal crossings. The lawsuit alleges Texas and Abbott violated federal law in installing this barrier, citing the […]

“A new government is with you and for you!” – The Impact of Guatemala’s Recent Inauguration of Bernardo Arévalo

Photo Credit: Johan Ordóñez/AFP via Getty Images By: Lia Rosado, 2L Following a history of corruption, Bernardo Arévalo was sworn in as Guatemala’s president early on January 15, 2024 after a last-ditch attempt by his opponents to delay his inauguration. This inauguration sparked a successful defense of the country’s democracy, as prior to his election, Guatemala was […]

Holding the Truth Hostage: Why Paramilitaries’ Calls for Repatriation Should Go Unanswered

By: Sean Werkheiser, 3L Recently, the right-wing paramilitary group Gaitanista Self-Defense Forces of Colombia (AGC) called for two former leaders of its predecessor group, the AUC, to be repatriated to Colombia from the United States, where they are currently serving lengthy prison sentences after having been extradited on charges of drug trafficking and materially supporting a foreign terrorist […]