By: Emily Green
Impunity Watch Reporter, South America

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil – The Brazilian military has taken full control over security in its crime-plagued capital. Organized crime has taken control of the state and this increased security is meant to restore order.

Rio’s governor, Luiz Fernando Pezao, issued an appeal for help after chaos during the famous Rio Carnival. Several celebrations were spoiled by violence from gun fights and looting. Three police officers were killed in these violent clashes. The governor asked the national government to use military intervention because he saw it as the only way to tackle the heavily armed gangs. He apologized to the citizens affected saying, “We were not ready. There were mistakes in the first days and we reinforced the patrols.”

Due to the economic crisis, Rio’s police budget has been slashed in recent years. Critics say that police do not even have enough money to pay for the petrol in their patrol cars. The financial problems have also emboldened criminal gangs. The national recession, slump in oil prices, and high levels of corruption has given organized crime an opportunity to gain power.

President Michel Temer said organized criminals have all but seized control of the state and compares the growing gang violence to “a cancer.” He has appointed General Walter Souza Braga Netto to oversee security in the capital. This army general was widely praised for his part in coordinating security for the 2016 Rio Olympic Games.

Residents of Rio try to go about their daily lives, but often find that violence gets in the way. Stray bullets have killed children in favelas, shoot-outs have closed down major highways, and mass robberies have ruined Carnival celebrations. Many criticize the fact that the state governor willingly gave up his power to the President. Even though most are happy that something is being done, many are skeptical of big political gestures like this when a presidential election is coming up.

For now, the army will regularly patrol some of the city’s most dangerous areas. It will be the first time the army has had such a high profile since Brazil’s return to democracy in 1985. Brazil’s National Congress still needs to approve the move.

President Temer explained, “Organized crime has almost taken over the state of Rio de Janeiro, it is a cancer that spreads throughout the country and threatens the tranquility of our people, so we have now enacted the federal intervention of the public security area of ​​Rio de Janeiro.”

For more information, please see:

Digital Journal – Brazil’s Temer announces new security ministry to combat violence – 18 February 2018

Euro News – Brazil’s military takes charge of Rio as gang violence spirals upwards – 18 February 2018

DW – Brazil to create new ministry for public security – 18 February 2018

BBC News – Rio de Janeiro violence: Brazil army to take control of security – 16 February 2018

NY Times – Brazil’s Military is Put in Charge of Security in Rio de Janeiro – 16 February 2018

By: Emily Green
Impunity Watch Reporter, South America

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil – This year, women are launching an anti-harassment campaign during Brazil’s famous Carnival. They are using street parties as a forum to speak out against sexual harassment and assaults.

Sexual assaults have been especially problematic during the five-day long festival in Brazil. The Secretariat of Policies for Women reported that last year, the number of sexual assault complaints during Carnival increased by 90% compared to the number in 2016.  The secretariat explained this jump as the result of government campaigns to stop this type of violence. Victims are instructed to report crimes to a number which will register their complaint.

In total, the feminist group Think Olga reports that 99.6% of women in Brazil have been catcalled. Another private group on public security reports that one woman in South America is raped every 11 minutes, but only 10% report their assaults. One 29-year-old artist commented on the issue saying, “Some men have this feeling that they can do whatever to your body, it’s time for women to take advantage of this moment to push back.”

Thousands of women have responded during the Carnival celebrations. They organize block parties of all-female musicians, shirts, necklaces and crowns. They use messages such as “my breasts, my rules” and promote campaigns that report and crackdown on harassment. One woman, Debora Thome, organized a block party in 2015 called “Mulheres Rodadas,” or “Women Who Get Around.” She has been vocal in the movement and sees Carnival as a good opportunity to fight harassment because it forces the question of respect amid scantily dressed partygoers. She says, “A woman can be naked in the street and nobody should be allowed to touch her.”

Since then, several other feminist-themed block parties have been formed for the festival. One recent party included hundreds of women dressed up as animals they said they had been called on the streets. Costumes included animals such as cows, piranhas, hens, and cobras.  One of the few dozen men at the party, Anderson Semme, said, “Men’s role is to recognize we were wrong for a long time and now do the right thing.”

The campaign has picked up the slogan of “No Means No.” Hundreds of women are planning to get the words temporarily tattooed for their Carnival costumes. While the campaign encourages the support of men, it stresses that it is something created by women and for women. The founders’ goal is to create a sense of security for women who want to attend block parties. Aisha Jacob, who was assaulted during Carnival last year, has been heavily involved in the campaign.  She says the tattoos are a symbol of solidarity and support for women. “If they need to ask for help, they know who they can reach out to. They know they’re not alone.”

During last year’s Carnival, Brazil’s military police received 2,154 calls about violence against women. That figure means that one woman was assaulted every few minutes. Security officials and several non-governmental groups have begun their own campaigns against harassment.

For more information, please see:

NY Times – Rio Carnival Kicks Off With Samba, Blocos and Not to #MeToo – 10 February 2018

The Guardian – Brazilians turn to carnival as an escape from crime and corruption – 10 February 2018

Herald Tribune – No Means No: Women Say Enough to Sexual Harassment at Brazil’s Carnival – 10 February 2018

Los Angeles Times – Women in Brazil launch ‘No Means No’ anti-harassment Campaign during Carnival – 9 February 2018

Washington Post – Women at Brazil Carnival push back against harassment – 7 February 2018

By: Emily Green
Impunity Watch Reporter, South America

CUCUTA, Colombia – Colombia’s government has opened its first shelter for Venezuelan refugees. As the economic crisis in Venezuela continues to spiral out of control, refugees pour across the border in search of help.

Colombia built this shelter to curb the growing number of homeless Venezuelans. The facility, administered by the Red Cross, opened on Saturday, February 3, near the border city of Cucuta. It is expected to provide up to 48 hours of shelter for 120 people each day. It is designated as a temporary shelter meant for refugees who have a destination elsewhere, but need a place to stay while traveling. Priority will be given to pregnant mothers, the elderly, and minors who entered the country legally.

Local authorities stress that the shelter is only meant for those who entered the country legally and will be moving on to other locations. Mayor Pepe Ruiz said, “This is not going to be a shelter where we are going to house all the people that are in the street.” He added, “This a center of attention for people who are en route, who rest there while they get transport. I don’t agree that they should stick around there, or this will become a big mess.”

As one of the main crossing points for Venezuelans, the city of Cucuta has been under severe stress. The mass migration comes in such large waves that many are left sleeping on the streets. Hundreds of people are stranded and starving, and crime has increased as gangs recruit and take advantage of the migrants’ desperation.

Approximately 35,000 Venezuelans cross into Colombia each day. Many of them settle with relatives while others come to acquire the food or medicine they lack back home. In an effort to regulate the flow of migrants, immigration authorities have begun arresting and deporting those that entered illegally. Just last week, 130 Venezuelans who were sleeping on outdoor basketball courts were deported. Colombian Foreign Minister Maria Angela Holguin told reporters, “We are being as generous as possible with the Venezuelans’ situation, but there must be order.”

The United Nations has offered to assist local authorities with the overwhelming amounts of refugees. However, some worry that the creation of UN camps would encourage even more people to flee. Colombia’s inspector general, General Fernando Carrillo, admitted that they had been negligent in their emergency preparation. He explained, “We haven’t been strategic. We have been negligent in the control of the border because there have been many isolated efforts, but no integrated approach to the problem.”

While the number of migrants continues to grow, other countries such as the United States and Brazil are considering sending aid to Colombia.

For more information, please see:

Colombia Reports – How Venezuela’s crisis became another humanitarian emergency in Colombia – 7 February 2018

Bloomberg – As Venezuelans Flee, Refugee Camp Springs Up Across Border – 5 February 2018

Latina – Colombia Opens First Shelter for Venezuela Refugees – 5 February 2018

Colombia Opens Border Shelter for Venezuelans Fleeing Crisis – 3 February 2018

By: Emily Green
Impunity Watch Reporter, South America

QUITO, Ecuador – Ecuadoreans are voting in a referendum that has become a test of popularity between their current president and his predecessor. Voters are choosing whether or not to get rid of unlimited presidential terms.

The referendum was created by the current president, Lenin Moreno, to implement a two-term presidential limit. President Moreno was once the protégé and deputy to former President Rafael Correa. However, President Moreno and Correa have entered a bitter feud since President Moreno took office last year. Correa does not approve of President Moreno’s initiatives to work with business leaders who were at odds with his previous government. Although they won office under the same party, the two went through a very public separation.

This referendum is aimed at preventing Correa, who already served two terms, from ever returning to power. It has been seen as a popularity test between the two leaders. Ecuadorean news reported the vote as a way for President Moreno to “distance himself from his predecessor and consolidate his political process.” President Moreno hopes that the vote will close the door to Correa’s candidacy in the 2021 election. He explained, “corruption sets in when you have only one government that thinks it will stay on forever.”

There have been protests throughout the week against Correa as he campaigns against the referendum. In one instance, trash was hurled onto his vehicles. His silver SUV was covered in plastic and mud on Wednesday which resulted in him being trapped in the radio station where he had been giving an interview. Correa wrote on Twitter that the it was “a shame for the country!”

The referendum includes seven questions. One would give President Moreno the authority to decide who can lead some of the nation’s most important institutions. Another would restrict mining. In addition, one would bar officials convicted of corruption from seeking office. This may also impede Correa’s run at presidency because he is under allegations of corruption. Although he has not yet been convicted, he is being investigated for irregularities in oil sales to China and Thailand during his time in office. His vice-president at the time, Jorge Glas, was sentenced to six years in jail in December 2017 for his involvement in a Brazilian corruption scandal.

Correa commented on this measure saying that “the right wants to invent a crime against me to disable me.” He refers to President Moreno as a traitor and the referendum a “coup d’état”.

For more information, please see:

BBC News – Ecuador votes on election term limit as Correa looks on – 4 February 2018

Washington Post – Current, former presidents at odds in Ecuador referendum – 4 February 2018

Reuters – Ecuador votes on re-election limits, likely dashing Correa comeback – 4 February 2018

NPR – Ecuador Votes on Presidential Term Limits – 3 February 2018

New Jersey Herald – Protesters hurl trash on Ecuador president’s vehicle – 31 January 2018

By: Emily Green
Impunity Watch Reporter, South America

BOGOTA, Colombia — Peace talks with the National Liberation Army (ELN) were suspended on Monday in response to a series of bomb attacks over the weekend. The leftist rebel group killed several police officers and wounded many more.

The homemade bombs were placed in a police station during a shift change in Barranquila, a northern Colombian town. As a result, five police officers died and more than 40 were wounded. Two more died from another bomb attack just four hours later.

This occurred in the wake of peace talks which began in February 2017 and ended the five-decade war. The bombing is the second time this month that negotiations between the government and the rebel group have been paused. Colombia’s President Juan Manuel Santos said, “My patience and the patience of the Colombian people has its limits, so I have taken the decision to suspend the start of the fifth cycle of negotiations, which was scheduled for the coming days, until we see coherence between the ELN’s words and its actions.”

The ELN is a guerrilla organization and faction of the National Liberation Army. Even though the other rebel group, Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), have signed a peace deal with the government, guerrillas of the ELN  seem determined to continue their long battle against the state. It opposes the presence of foreign companies in Colombia and regularly bombs pipelines and other oil infrastructures.

In contrast, members of FARC have embraced peace and moved into politics. The large rebel group has launched its campaign for the presidency under the leadership of its former commander, Rodrigo Londono. However, his opening campaign speech was largely overshadowed by the rebel attacks. Other presidential candidates denounce him for being too soft on both FARC and ELN guerillas.

Few politicians support this peace deal. It remains an issue among Colombians and was rejected in a 2016 referendum. President Santos has only months left in his term and it is unlikely that he will succeed in ending the conflict with the ELN. The deputy director of the Peace and Reconciliation Foundation, Ariel Avila, remarked, “The ELN know that this government only has five months left — there’s nothing for them to negotiate with this government, so they say why bother?”

On Monday, the ELN issued a statement expressing support for the peace talks and a cease-fire. However, it says that “military actions will continue taking place on each side” in the absence of any agreement.

For more information, please see:

Telesur – Colombian Rebels Call for New Ceasefire, Renewed Peace Talks – 31 January 2018

Colombia Reports – Santos suspends talks with ELN after deadly attacks in northern Colombia – 29 January 2018

NPR – Colombian President Pauses Peace Talks With Rebel Group, ELN – 29 January 2018

NYT – In Colombia, Two Rebel Groups Take Different Paths – 29 January 2018

Voice of America – Colombia Suspends Peace Talks With ELN Rebels After Bomb Attacks – 29 January 2018