As we noted in yesterday’s LADB, “the phones of at least three journalists and human rights defenders were infected with a software that allowed for the monitoring of falls and messages. These infections occurred during the same time period that Mexico’s ministry of defense, Sedena, bought the Pegasus spy software from NSO group, says Animal Político.” According to Animal Político, the spyware was bought by Sedena in 2019 from Comercializadora Antsua, Mexico’s representative in NSO Group.
Ejército Espía notes that the use of the spyware directly contradicts a claim by the AMLO administration that the government no longer used the Pegasus spyware and that it would cease future monitoring of citizens. Citizen Lab notes two specific instances, in 2019 and 2021, where AMLO assured the public that the spyware was no longer being used.
The two journalists and one human rights defender who were targeted had been involved with work relating to the investigation and documentation of human rights violations by the Mexican armed forces, says Ejército Espía. Specifically, Raymundo Ramos Vázquez had been “documenting human rights violations committed by the Mexican Army and Navy in the state of Tamaulipas.” Ricardo Raphael had been investigating corruption and the ties between the Mexican government and cartels, in addition to the Ayotzinapa case. In addition, an anonymous Animal Político journalist “was infected on the same day [Animal Político] published a report on human rights violations by the Mexican Armed Forces,” says Citizen Lab. In Milenio, Ricardo Raphael outlined his realization of his phone’s infection and the subsequent steps he took to bring light to the situation.
The news comes at the same time as a major security hack, in which more than six terabytes of data from Sedena’s server were compromised and seized from a group called Guacamaya. This was “the most sweeping cyberattack Mexico has ever suffered,” according to James Bosworth and Lucy Hale in the Latin America Risk Report. As we wrote in yesterday’s LADB, leaked emails revealed AMLO’s alleged health problems and differences between Mexico’s marine and defense secretaries.
More Mexico
At Reforma, Denise Dresser denounces being verbally assaulted by AMLO supporters at a march in Mexico City.
During a protest in Cholul, Mexico, one individual threatened a journalist with a machete, reports HazRuido.
Bolivia
The Pro Santa Cruz Civic Committee’s decision to call an indefinite strike if the 2024 Population and Housing Census is not moved to 2023 has received pushback from some local social organizations, reports PL News.
Brazil
Brian Winter, Laura Karpuska, Oliver Stuenkel, and Amy Erica Smith provide reactions to the first round of Brazil’s elections on Sunday at Americas Quarterly. Amy Erica Smith notes, “this is the scenario many experts had pointed to as being riskiest for Brazilian democracy: a narrow race in which Bolsonaro can credibly claim that something was off with the polls.” (See yesterday’s LADB)
“Two trans candidates were elected to congress for the first time in history,” as well as two indigenous women, reports The Guardian.
The Bolsonaro government has moved forward two payments for the Auxílio Brasil welfare program, moving the second payment from October 31 to now October 25, prior to the October 30 runoff election date, notes Estadão.
Chile
“Chile's sliding peso got a shot in the arm in July from a huge $25 billion central bank intervention, but in recent months has been one of the region's worst performers, showing how hard the battle is for policy makers countering a rampaging dollar,” reports Reuters.
Colombia
“A delegation from Colombia's National Liberation Army (ELN) traveled to Venezuela for what the leftist rebel group said could be a new phase in peace talks with the Colombian government that will also involve other ELN representatives,” reports Reuters. The Guardian notes, “At least 10 armed groups in Colombia, including the Gulf Clan crime gang and dissident members of the Farc rebels who rejected a peace deal have agreed to participate in unilateral ceasefires, according to the government.”
Cuba
Reuters reports on recent protests in Cuba, the largest since July 2021, noting that “On Friday and Saturday evening, protests - a rarity in Cuba - were met with a heavy police presence. On two occasions, a Reuters witness observed buses delivering large groups of pro-government supporters, sometimes carrying sticks and baseball bats, to the site of the rallies… Internet communications, too, fell across the island on Friday and Saturday evening, coinciding with the protests. Internet watchdog groups said the timing appeared aimed at stifling the rallies.”
The Biden administration should offer aid to Cuba following the devastation of Hurricane Ian, argues William LeoGrande at Responsible Statecraft.
Ecuador
“Hundreds of women marched Saturday against femicide in Ecuador, which a gender violence NGO says has claimed more than 200 victims since the start of the year,” reports France24.
El Salvador
“More than 2,000 soldiers and police surrounded and closed off a town in El Salvador Sunday in order to search for street gang members accused in a killing. The large-scale encirclement of the town of Comasagua is the latest example of heavy-handed tactics by the government to root out street gangs. Everyone entering or leaving the town was questioned or searched,” reports AP.
Haiti
“After more than three years without a single confirmed case of cholera, Haiti is confirming the deaths of at least eight people from the deadly waterborne disease… Preventing the spread of cholera requires hand washing with soap and clean water. But this is increasingly complicated in Haiti where water is becoming more scarce. On Sunday, as officials confirmed the presence of the disease, the country’s leading supplier of potable water, Caribbean Bottling Company, announced that it had run out of diesel — and cannot produce or deliver clean drinking water. The shortage is the result of a gang blockade of the country’s main fuel terminal, Varreux, that is now headed into its third week,” reports Miami Herald.
Migration
Migrants and asylum seekers are using TikTok to fill the information void about the perilous journey through the Darien Gap, but their posts carry the risk of misinformation, reports Al Jazeera.
Nicaragua
The Ortega government has charged five relatives of politically persecuted people with conspiracy and spreading false news, reports Confidencial.
Peru
A political crisis of representation—as well as legal, ethical, and structural—continues in Peru despite Sunday’s elections, writes Gabriela Vega Franco at El Comercio.
Regional
“Secretary of State Antony Blinken heads to Latin America on Monday to reassert Washington's commitment to the region and meet with three new leftist leaders, amid concerns that neglect of the hemisphere has let China make economic inroads,” says Reuters, with Blinken visiting Colombia, Chile, and Peru.
There is a difference between declaring the war on drugs over and actually ending the war on drugs, says James Bosworth at WPR, writing that the Petro administration has its work cut out for them.
Venezuela
Clap boxes are being distributed by the state at a greater frequency, but with fewer goods and goods of lower quality, notes Crónica Uno. The state-provided Clap boxes serve as a form of welfare but have been criticized for their politicization and use to stifle protests and dissent through welfare incentives.