W. Alejandro Sanchez

W. Alejandro Sanchez is a researcher who focuses on geopolitical, military, and cyber security issues in the Western Hemisphere. Follow him on Twitter: @W_Alex_Sanchez

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The US and Latin America’s “Troika of Tyranny”
The US and Latin America’s “Troika of Tyranny”

National Security Advisor John Bolton labeled the governments of Cuba, Nicaragua, and Venezuela as Latin America’s “Troika of Tyranny.” Does this signal a drastic change in US foreign policy toward Latin America? Or can we expect more of the same?

Trump, Bolsonaro, and the Future of US-Brazil Relations
Trump, Bolsonaro, and the Future of US-Brazil Relations

Jair Bolsonaro is well-known for a series of controversial and offensive statements, including homophobic, sexist, and racist insults. Yet he emerged victorious in Brazil’s presidential election with around 58 million votes. Can the US government work with such a leader?

US-Central America Relations: Using Aid as a Foreign Policy Tool Will Backfire
US-Central America Relations: Using Aid as a Foreign Policy Tool Will Backfire

President Trump has threatened to cut financial aid to Honduras and the other Central American nations where migrants originate. This is a bad idea that will backfire.

The Possibility of US Intervention in Venezuela
The Possibility of US Intervention in Venezuela

President Trump has said the “military option” is available for Venezuela, and that “all options are on the table.” At the same time, he has said that he is willing to meet with President Maduro.

Venezuelan Refugees in Brazil: Is Xenophobia Replacing Kindness?
Venezuelan Refugees in Brazil: Is Xenophobia Replacing Kindness?

Many Venezuelan refugees have settled in the Brazilian state Roraima. While the government has been supportive of the refugees, xenophobic incidents have occurred in recent weeks. As Brazil’s general elections are less than a month away, the question of what to do with these “others” has also become an electoral tool.

Venezuela’s Never-Ending Crisis: Between Repression and Hope
Venezuela’s Never-Ending Crisis: Between Repression and Hope

The Venezuelan government continues to look for new targets it can blame for the country’s woes. Disturbingly, the Venezuelan church has become the latest.

Church Nicaragua Crisis
The Church and Nicaragua’s Crisis

While Nicaragua’s government has resorted to repressive tactics like organizing paramilitary forces to fight protesters, the church is one of the remaining institutions that still enjoys popular support and legitimacy.

The Latin American Good Samaritan and the Venezuelan Exodus - Venezuela Refugee
The Latin American Good Samaritan and the Venezuelan Exodus

An estimated 10 percent of Venezuela’s population has fled the country, putting stress on other governments in Latin America since these nations still have their own challenges.

Paraguay’s Ejercito del Pueblo Paraguayo (Paraguayan People’s Army, or EPP) Insurgency Frees Mennonite Hostages: An Analysis
Paraguay’s EPP Insurgency Frees Mennonite Hostages: An Analysis

The conundrum that the Paraguayan government faces is choosing one of two evils. Either it lets the police handle the Ejercito del Pueblo Paraguayo (Paraguayan People’s Army, or EPP), which has not worked so far as evidenced by ongoing attacks and violence, or Asuncion deploys the armed forces, which could risk greater human rights abuses and repression.

Colombia and the FARC: Problems with Creating Peace
Colombia and the FARC: Problems with Creating Peace

The peace agreement between the Colombian government and the FARC is slightly over a year old, but there are a number of issues that will continue to be a concern from a practical and moral perspective.