Tag Archives: Latin America

Behind Bars of Exception: El Salvador’s Security Crackdown

By: Kyleigh Custer The country of El Salvador declared a state of emergency in response to gang violence in 2022. After a failed attempt between government officials and gang leaders to negotiate peace, El Salvadorian President Nayib Bukele, following approval by the Legislative Assembly, implemented a 30-day state of exception. Over the span of three […]

Bolivia Pushes to Redefine the Legal Classification of the Coca Leaf, a Culturally and Commercially Significant Crop

By: Julia Sariol For decades, the coca leaf has been viewed as the mere precursor to its chemically altered counterpart, cocaine, and the plant’s legal status around the world has reflected that dominant viewpoint for over half a century. Through renewed efforts to remove coca from the United Nations’ list of the world’s most dangerous […]

American Dream Turned Nightmare: The Trump Administration Announces Termination of Humanitarian Parole Programs

By: Kyle Spohn, 2L On March 25, 2025, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem announced the termination of humanitarian parole for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans and Venezuelans—revoking legal residency for hundreds of thousands of individuals. These humanitarian parole programs (referred to as the “CHNV programs”) were introduced in early 2023 by the Biden Administration’s […]

China’s Growing Influence in Latin America: Geopolitical Shifts and the Panama Canal

By: Michael Castillo Since the turn of the century, the People’s Republic of China has systematically reshaped its engagement with Latin America, evolving from a peripheral actor into a central economic and strategic force. This transformation reflects Beijing’s deliberate, multifaceted strategy, which integrates trade, infrastructure investment, and diplomatic initiatives to secure long-term economic and geopolitical […]