Adam Isacson
@adamisacson.com
He/Him. I work on security, borders, and migration at the Washington Office on Latin America (my views, not necessarily theirs). I'm also at wola.org, adamisacson.com, borderoversight.org, Mastodon elefanti.co/@adam
Latin America-Related Events in Washington and Online This Week
6 events about Latin America this week, that I know about, that can be attended in person in Washington or online anywhere.
6 events about Latin America this week, that I know about, that can be attended in person in Washington or online anywhere.
Latin America-Related Events in Washington and Online This Week - Adam Isacson
6 events about Latin America this week, that I know about, that can be attended in person in Washington or online anywhere.
adamisacson.com
January 17, 2026 at 2:22 PM
Latin America-Related Events in Washington and Online This Week
6 events about Latin America this week, that I know about, that can be attended in person in Washington or online anywhere.
6 events about Latin America this week, that I know about, that can be attended in person in Washington or online anywhere.
Reposted by Adam Isacson
DELETED
After lying about this baby they gassed and almost killed in their own neighborhood, DHS deleted their post
After lying about this baby they gassed and almost killed in their own neighborhood, DHS deleted their post
January 16, 2026 at 7:17 PM
DELETED
After lying about this baby they gassed and almost killed in their own neighborhood, DHS deleted their post
After lying about this baby they gassed and almost killed in their own neighborhood, DHS deleted their post
I'll take "Headlines I'm completely not used to seeing" for $800, Alex.
January 16, 2026 at 11:29 PM
I'll take "Headlines I'm completely not used to seeing" for $800, Alex.
CBP has updated its dataset through December. It points to a winter decline in migration at the US-Mexico border.
Past patterns suggest a further drop in January, followed by sharp increases in March-April.
Here's Border Patrol apprehensions, at my table-generating site cbpdata.adamisacson.com :
Past patterns suggest a further drop in January, followed by sharp increases in March-April.
Here's Border Patrol apprehensions, at my table-generating site cbpdata.adamisacson.com :
January 16, 2026 at 11:22 PM
CBP has updated its dataset through December. It points to a winter decline in migration at the US-Mexico border.
Past patterns suggest a further drop in January, followed by sharp increases in March-April.
Here's Border Patrol apprehensions, at my table-generating site cbpdata.adamisacson.com :
Past patterns suggest a further drop in January, followed by sharp increases in March-April.
Here's Border Patrol apprehensions, at my table-generating site cbpdata.adamisacson.com :
2026, when news photos of Colombian guerrillas and U.S. law enforcement are virtually indistinguishable.
January 16, 2026 at 6:26 PM
2026, when news photos of Colombian guerrillas and U.S. law enforcement are virtually indistinguishable.
In a hearing yesterday, Sen. Kaine (D-VA) said some enigmatic things, referring to classified briefings, about whether the Trump admin really cared about whether there were drugs aboard the boats being struck in the Caribbean and Pacific.
About 1:25 into the video here: bit.ly/4aZ0YYw
About 1:25 into the video here: bit.ly/4aZ0YYw
January 16, 2026 at 6:05 PM
In a hearing yesterday, Sen. Kaine (D-VA) said some enigmatic things, referring to classified briefings, about whether the Trump admin really cared about whether there were drugs aboard the boats being struck in the Caribbean and Pacific.
About 1:25 into the video here: bit.ly/4aZ0YYw
About 1:25 into the video here: bit.ly/4aZ0YYw
Looks like ICE deportation flights to Venezuela have resumed.
An ICE Air deportation flight is en route to Venezuela from Phoenix, Arizona. This is the first deportation flight to Caracas since Dec 10, and previously flights had been operating twice a week (Wednesdays and Fridays)
January 16, 2026 at 1:06 PM
Looks like ICE deportation flights to Venezuela have resumed.
They killed the *60 Minutes* CECOT torture story, but waved this one right on through.
CBS News report on ICE officer’s injuries drew ‘huge internal concern’
Anonymously sourced report that Jonathan Ross ‘suffered internal bleeding’ after killing Renee Good faced skepticism inside CBS newsroom
www.theguardian.com
January 16, 2026 at 3:22 AM
They killed the *60 Minutes* CECOT torture story, but waved this one right on through.
A bit out of character for him to correctly accent the í in “María” 3 times.
Trump: “It was my Great Honor to meet María Corina Machado, of Venezuela, today. She is a wonderful woman who has been through so much. María presented me with her Nobel Peace Prize for the work I have done. Such a wonderful gesture of mutual respect. Thank you María!”
January 16, 2026 at 2:34 AM
A bit out of character for him to correctly accent the í in “María” 3 times.
Did he at least let her have the FIFA peace prize
January 15, 2026 at 10:11 PM
Did he at least let her have the FIFA peace prize
“Bank evidence for future prosecutions…”
During the worst years of Colombia’s conflict, human rights groups kept databases and archives of abuses.
That’s where we are now.
Later, when a Truth Commission and special tribunal could hold abusers accountable, those archives were essential evidence.
During the worst years of Colombia’s conflict, human rights groups kept databases and archives of abuses.
That’s where we are now.
Later, when a Truth Commission and special tribunal could hold abusers accountable, those archives were essential evidence.
Gov. Walz to Minnesotans: “Donald Trump wants more violence on our streets … We must remain peaceful …You have an absolute right to peacefully record ICE agents … Help us bank evidence for future prosecutions.“
Governor Walz Addresses Ongoing Federal Presence in #Minnesota www.youtube.com/watch?v=fGTs... #Trump #Fascism
January 15, 2026 at 1:53 AM
“Bank evidence for future prosecutions…”
During the worst years of Colombia’s conflict, human rights groups kept databases and archives of abuses.
That’s where we are now.
Later, when a Truth Commission and special tribunal could hold abusers accountable, those archives were essential evidence.
During the worst years of Colombia’s conflict, human rights groups kept databases and archives of abuses.
That’s where we are now.
Later, when a Truth Commission and special tribunal could hold abusers accountable, those archives were essential evidence.
Consideration of the Venezuela War Powers resolution has begun on the Senate floor:
U.S. Senate: Floor Proceedings
Floor Activity
www.senate.gov
January 14, 2026 at 10:07 PM
Consideration of the Venezuela War Powers resolution has begun on the Senate floor:
In Latin America, a big step in 1980s/90s transitions from military dictatorship to civilian rule was to stop trying civilians in military courtrooms.
This isn’t exactly that, but having civilians prosecuted by people in uniform is a big step toward Latin America's "bad old days"—here in the US.
This isn’t exactly that, but having civilians prosecuted by people in uniform is a big step toward Latin America's "bad old days"—here in the US.
Pentagon to dispatch dozens of military lawyers to Minneapolis amid immigration crackdown | CNN Politics
The Pentagon is working to surge dozens of military lawyers to Minneapolis to assist in federal prosecutions amid an immigration enforcement crackdown there, according to two officials familiar with t...
www.cnn.com
January 14, 2026 at 8:39 PM
In Latin America, a big step in 1980s/90s transitions from military dictatorship to civilian rule was to stop trying civilians in military courtrooms.
This isn’t exactly that, but having civilians prosecuted by people in uniform is a big step toward Latin America's "bad old days"—here in the US.
This isn’t exactly that, but having civilians prosecuted by people in uniform is a big step toward Latin America's "bad old days"—here in the US.
Re-upping this thread because the Venezuela War Powers resolution is before the Senate today.
- The list of potential armed opponents is long.
- Plausible scenarios exist for "boots on the ground."
- Congress must assert itself because we haven't seen any plan for these scenarios.
- The list of potential armed opponents is long.
- Plausible scenarios exist for "boots on the ground."
- Congress must assert itself because we haven't seen any plan for these scenarios.
From @wola-org.bsky.social:
The Trump administration has not ruled out having military “boots on the ground” in Venezuela.
What would that entail? Shouldn’t Congress have a say? That’s what the War Powers Resolution, up for a Senate vote this week, is all about. 🧵
(1/12)
The Trump administration has not ruled out having military “boots on the ground” in Venezuela.
What would that entail? Shouldn’t Congress have a say? That’s what the War Powers Resolution, up for a Senate vote this week, is all about. 🧵
(1/12)
January 14, 2026 at 7:22 PM
Re-upping this thread because the Venezuela War Powers resolution is before the Senate today.
- The list of potential armed opponents is long.
- Plausible scenarios exist for "boots on the ground."
- Congress must assert itself because we haven't seen any plan for these scenarios.
- The list of potential armed opponents is long.
- Plausible scenarios exist for "boots on the ground."
- Congress must assert itself because we haven't seen any plan for these scenarios.
FYI this House Foreign Affairs Dems #Venezuela briefing is scheduled to start livestreaming in 2 minutes:
A Special Meeting on Venezuela
YouTube video by House Foreign Affairs Committee Democrats
www.youtube.com
January 14, 2026 at 1:28 PM
FYI this House Foreign Affairs Dems #Venezuela briefing is scheduled to start livestreaming in 2 minutes:
I paid my first and only visit to Venezuela 20 years ago this month.
I wrote a blog entry about it (it was the heyday of blogs). I was in listening mode, but because I work on demilitarization, I was skeptical.
From the Internet Archive:
I wrote a blog entry about it (it was the heyday of blogs). I was in listening mode, but because I work on demilitarization, I was skeptical.
From the Internet Archive:
democracyarsenal.org: Notes on my weekend in Venezuela
web.archive.org
January 14, 2026 at 2:22 AM
I paid my first and only visit to Venezuela 20 years ago this month.
I wrote a blog entry about it (it was the heyday of blogs). I was in listening mode, but because I work on demilitarization, I was skeptical.
From the Internet Archive:
I wrote a blog entry about it (it was the heyday of blogs). I was in listening mode, but because I work on demilitarization, I was skeptical.
From the Internet Archive:
Murphy is the ranking Democrat on the Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee… let's see if Dems will hold firm as a partial shutdown looms for January 30.
Murphy: The United States Congress should not fund a Department of Homeland Security that is not obeying the laws of the United States of America
January 14, 2026 at 2:01 AM
Murphy is the ranking Democrat on the Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee… let's see if Dems will hold firm as a partial shutdown looms for January 30.
Venezuela is the size of Texas plus Utah put together. It's a place where the capacity to carry out violence is dispersed.
There's nothing wrong with demanding that, before the administration takes our armed forces down a slippery slope, Congress first gets to sign off on it.
There's nothing wrong with demanding that, before the administration takes our armed forces down a slippery slope, Congress first gets to sign off on it.
January 2026 War Powers Resolution Explained
YouTube video by WOLA: Washington Office on Latin America
www.youtube.com
January 14, 2026 at 1:39 AM
Venezuela is the size of Texas plus Utah put together. It's a place where the capacity to carry out violence is dispersed.
There's nothing wrong with demanding that, before the administration takes our armed forces down a slippery slope, Congress first gets to sign off on it.
There's nothing wrong with demanding that, before the administration takes our armed forces down a slippery slope, Congress first gets to sign off on it.
This doc dismisses the possibility of a "boots on the ground" scenario if things get ugly in post-Maduro Venezuela. But it doesn't explain why they're so convinced that won't happen.
www.justice.gov/olc/media/14...
www.justice.gov/olc/media/14...
January 14, 2026 at 12:24 AM
This doc dismisses the possibility of a "boots on the ground" scenario if things get ugly in post-Maduro Venezuela. But it doesn't explain why they're so convinced that won't happen.
www.justice.gov/olc/media/14...
www.justice.gov/olc/media/14...
It’s light after 5:00pm in Washington now.
January 13, 2026 at 10:14 PM
It’s light after 5:00pm in Washington now.
At ICE/CBP in 2026, this probably gets you a medal and promotion.
Reporter Louis Krauss saw this. An agent apparently dropped a flash grenade that was left with the pin still in it on Park Avenue after driving away in a squad car.
January 13, 2026 at 8:45 PM
At ICE/CBP in 2026, this probably gets you a medal and promotion.
Ahead of tomorrow’s likely Senate vote on Venezuela War Powers, here’s a video explainer digging into
- scenarios that could lead to “boots on the ground” and an open-ended military mission, and
- the constellation of armed groups that US personnel might have to confront if those scenarios happen.
- scenarios that could lead to “boots on the ground” and an open-ended military mission, and
- the constellation of armed groups that US personnel might have to confront if those scenarios happen.
January 2026 War Powers Resolution Explained
YouTube video by WOLA: Washington Office on Latin America
www.youtube.com
January 13, 2026 at 5:20 PM
Ahead of tomorrow’s likely Senate vote on Venezuela War Powers, here’s a video explainer digging into
- scenarios that could lead to “boots on the ground” and an open-ended military mission, and
- the constellation of armed groups that US personnel might have to confront if those scenarios happen.
- scenarios that could lead to “boots on the ground” and an open-ended military mission, and
- the constellation of armed groups that US personnel might have to confront if those scenarios happen.
5 days since posting, this podcast episode with my two Venezuela-specialist colleagues has broken our record for most listens in its first week.
Here's a video version of today's podcast episode, con letra en español.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=CET-...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=CET-...
January 13, 2026 at 2:05 PM
5 days since posting, this podcast episode with my two Venezuela-specialist colleagues has broken our record for most listens in its first week.
Reposted by Adam Isacson
A few thoughts on the Minneapolis homicide (from the former head of policy at ICE):
1. The perp was shooting towards his colleagues - wildly out of training.
2. If Good posed a threat worth shooting her over, ICE needed to confirm she was in fact disabled post-crash. That they did not is telling.
1. The perp was shooting towards his colleagues - wildly out of training.
2. If Good posed a threat worth shooting her over, ICE needed to confirm she was in fact disabled post-crash. That they did not is telling.
January 11, 2026 at 5:03 PM
A few thoughts on the Minneapolis homicide (from the former head of policy at ICE):
1. The perp was shooting towards his colleagues - wildly out of training.
2. If Good posed a threat worth shooting her over, ICE needed to confirm she was in fact disabled post-crash. That they did not is telling.
1. The perp was shooting towards his colleagues - wildly out of training.
2. If Good posed a threat worth shooting her over, ICE needed to confirm she was in fact disabled post-crash. That they did not is telling.
Here's this thread as a single post:
January 12, 2026 at 11:28 PM
Here's this thread as a single post: