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
Southcom killed 2 more in the Eastern Pacific today, making at least 131 civilians killed by the US with no due process in 35 attacks over 5 months.
Only a sick nation would do this. 23 attacks in the Eastern Pacific, 10 in the Caribbean, 2 unspecified. See adamisacson.com/boat-strikes/
Only a sick nation would do this. 23 attacks in the Eastern Pacific, 10 in the Caribbean, 2 unspecified. See adamisacson.com/boat-strikes/
February 10, 2026 at 2:25 AM
Southcom killed 2 more in the Eastern Pacific today, making at least 131 civilians killed by the US with no due process in 35 attacks over 5 months.
Only a sick nation would do this. 23 attacks in the Eastern Pacific, 10 in the Caribbean, 2 unspecified. See adamisacson.com/boat-strikes/
Only a sick nation would do this. 23 attacks in the Eastern Pacific, 10 in the Caribbean, 2 unspecified. See adamisacson.com/boat-strikes/
Loving that "flight attendant when the pilot and co-pilot are unconscious and the engine's on fire" energy.
February 9, 2026 at 9:58 PM
Loving that "flight attendant when the pilot and co-pilot are unconscious and the engine's on fire" energy.
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
February 9, 2026 at 3:54 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:
Are people really going to watch football after that? That's like fancy dinner, cocktails, dancing… then answering email for two hours.
February 9, 2026 at 1:35 AM
Are people really going to watch football after that? That's like fancy dinner, cocktails, dancing… then answering email for two hours.
Except for Gaza, I can think of no other place on Earth that can't access oil. Without fuel, food deliveries could fail, potentially plunging people below 1500 calories per day. Cuba’s regime is cruel, but so is slapping tariffs on nations that provide the island with oil—a blockade by another name.
Cuban government has informed airlines that they only have about 24 hours worth of fuel left for planes.
Beyond the obvious damage that suddenly shutting down any country's air travel would have, a not at all small % of food and medicine in Cuba comes by luggage on airlines
efe.com/economia/202...
Beyond the obvious damage that suddenly shutting down any country's air travel would have, a not at all small % of food and medicine in Cuba comes by luggage on airlines
efe.com/economia/202...
Cuba comunica a las aerolíneas que en 24 horas se queda sin combustible para aviones - EFE
El Gobierno de Cuba advirtió a las aerolíneas internacionales que operan en la isla que a partir de este lunes el país se queda sin combustible para aviación.
efe.com
February 8, 2026 at 11:55 PM
Except for Gaza, I can think of no other place on Earth that can't access oil. Without fuel, food deliveries could fail, potentially plunging people below 1500 calories per day. Cuba’s regime is cruel, but so is slapping tariffs on nations that provide the island with oil—a blockade by another name.
The message to DHS personnel from the topmost levels is: expect impunity and no accountability, we’ve got you covered.
Other units in history that were led to expect impunity and no accountability: Central American death squads. Pinochet’s torturers. The Stasi. And yes, the Gestapo.
Other units in history that were led to expect impunity and no accountability: Central American death squads. Pinochet’s torturers. The Stasi. And yes, the Gestapo.
NYT confirming MS NOW reporting:
Prosecutors began investigating Renee Good's killing, then Washington told them to stop.
Federal prosecutors had a warrant to collect evidence from Good's vehicle, but Trump leaders said to drop it. About a dozen prosecutors have since departed.
Prosecutors began investigating Renee Good's killing, then Washington told them to stop.
Federal prosecutors had a warrant to collect evidence from Good's vehicle, but Trump leaders said to drop it. About a dozen prosecutors have since departed.
Prosecutors Began Investigating Renee Good’s Killing. Washington Told Them to Stop.
www.nytimes.com
February 7, 2026 at 10:12 PM
The message to DHS personnel from the topmost levels is: expect impunity and no accountability, we’ve got you covered.
Other units in history that were led to expect impunity and no accountability: Central American death squads. Pinochet’s torturers. The Stasi. And yes, the Gestapo.
Other units in history that were led to expect impunity and no accountability: Central American death squads. Pinochet’s torturers. The Stasi. And yes, the Gestapo.
Tonight will make 2 weeks since this snow fell in DC.
February 7, 2026 at 9:48 PM
Tonight will make 2 weeks since this snow fell in DC.
In the latest @wola-org.bsky.social Border Update:
- ICE is setting up warehouses to store people.
- The Minneapolis killings triggered a wave of calls for deep reform at DHS.
- Democrats are demanding some reforms as a Feb 13 DHS shutdown approaches.
- Courts considered mandatory detention, TPS.
- ICE is setting up warehouses to store people.
- The Minneapolis killings triggered a wave of calls for deep reform at DHS.
- Democrats are demanding some reforms as a Feb 13 DHS shutdown approaches.
- Courts considered mandatory detention, TPS.
U.S.-Mexico Border Update: Detention warehouses, DHS organizational culture, impending shudown, TPS - WOLA
ICE is setting up a network of warehouses to store people. The Minneapolis killings triggered a wave of calls for deep reform at DHS. Democrats’ calls for reform could lead to a DHS shutdown after Feb...
www.wola.org
February 6, 2026 at 10:55 PM
In the latest @wola-org.bsky.social Border Update:
- ICE is setting up warehouses to store people.
- The Minneapolis killings triggered a wave of calls for deep reform at DHS.
- Democrats are demanding some reforms as a Feb 13 DHS shutdown approaches.
- Courts considered mandatory detention, TPS.
- ICE is setting up warehouses to store people.
- The Minneapolis killings triggered a wave of calls for deep reform at DHS.
- Democrats are demanding some reforms as a Feb 13 DHS shutdown approaches.
- Courts considered mandatory detention, TPS.
I can't wait until we can look back on news releases like this with rueful memories of what a stupid time in history this was.
February 6, 2026 at 9:07 PM
I can't wait until we can look back on news releases like this with rueful memories of what a stupid time in history this was.
Here's CBP's recent cocaine seizures, including this new data.
5 months and now 129 deaths into the "lethal boat strikes" operation: I can't see how they've moved the needle on the amount of cocaine being detected.
Tab-separated data in alt text. Source links in lower right of the image.
5 months and now 129 deaths into the "lethal boat strikes" operation: I can't see how they've moved the needle on the amount of cocaine being detected.
Tab-separated data in alt text. Source links in lower right of the image.
February 6, 2026 at 11:42 AM
Here's CBP's recent cocaine seizures, including this new data.
5 months and now 129 deaths into the "lethal boat strikes" operation: I can't see how they've moved the needle on the amount of cocaine being detected.
Tab-separated data in alt text. Source links in lower right of the image.
5 months and now 129 deaths into the "lethal boat strikes" operation: I can't see how they've moved the needle on the amount of cocaine being detected.
Tab-separated data in alt text. Source links in lower right of the image.
All prior boat-strike announcements credited President Trump or Secretary Hegseth.
This is the first for which Southcom's commander assumes responsibility for one of these extrajudicial killings. The Senate just confirmed Gen. Donovan, on January 30.
34 known strikes, >=129 dead.
This is the first for which Southcom's commander assumes responsibility for one of these extrajudicial killings. The Senate just confirmed Gen. Donovan, on January 30.
34 known strikes, >=129 dead.
February 6, 2026 at 10:33 AM
All prior boat-strike announcements credited President Trump or Secretary Hegseth.
This is the first for which Southcom's commander assumes responsibility for one of these extrajudicial killings. The Senate just confirmed Gen. Donovan, on January 30.
34 known strikes, >=129 dead.
This is the first for which Southcom's commander assumes responsibility for one of these extrajudicial killings. The Senate just confirmed Gen. Donovan, on January 30.
34 known strikes, >=129 dead.
Let's at least be glad that this site is (barely) within the district of Rep. Escobar, who is carrying out real oversight.
February 5, 2026 at 10:37 PM
Let's at least be glad that this site is (barely) within the district of Rep. Escobar, who is carrying out real oversight.
They killed >127 people aboard boats, in 33 attacks, in 5 months.
And the amount of cocaine found at the border keeps _increasing_.
All they have to show for it is a collection of gruesome videos.
From CBP: www.cbp.gov/newsroom/nat...
And the amount of cocaine found at the border keeps _increasing_.
All they have to show for it is a collection of gruesome videos.
From CBP: www.cbp.gov/newsroom/nat...
February 5, 2026 at 6:52 PM
They killed >127 people aboard boats, in 33 attacks, in 5 months.
And the amount of cocaine found at the border keeps _increasing_.
All they have to show for it is a collection of gruesome videos.
From CBP: www.cbp.gov/newsroom/nat...
And the amount of cocaine found at the border keeps _increasing_.
All they have to show for it is a collection of gruesome videos.
From CBP: www.cbp.gov/newsroom/nat...
ICE says it just hired 12,000 more of this in a four-month span (bit.ly/4bucjQC).
Fucking surreal that people dressed like this and carrying assault rifles are permitted to kidnap people off our streets
February 4, 2026 at 12:59 AM
ICE says it just hired 12,000 more of this in a four-month span (bit.ly/4bucjQC).
We can dispense with the "Bovino is out and Tom Homan is here to sprinkle 'better optics' professional de-escalation fairy dust" narrative.
happening this morning in Minneapolis -- ICE agents drawing guns on observers. I reiterate again that it is only a matter of time before DHS kills more innocent people in Minnesota. Congress needs to shut this shit down right now.
February 4, 2026 at 12:52 AM
We can dispense with the "Bovino is out and Tom Homan is here to sprinkle 'better optics' professional de-escalation fairy dust" narrative.
District Court judges are saving so many lives lately.
HUGE. A victory for more than a quarter million Haitians with Temporary Protected Status. A significant majority of them entered the United States legally and have never been out of status since.
Even the Trump admin isn't saying Haiti is a safe country for them to go back to.
Even the Trump admin isn't saying Haiti is a safe country for them to go back to.
BREAKING: Judge Ana Reyes, in DC, issues a stay of DHS Sec. Noem’s decision to end Haiti’s temporary protected status (TPS) designation, a decision that was to go into effect on Tuesday and could have ended legal status for up to 350,000 people overnight. storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
February 3, 2026 at 12:52 AM
District Court judges are saving so many lives lately.
February 2. One month ago today (January 2), Renee Good and Alex Pretti were alive, and the U.S. military hadn't attacked a Latin American nation in decades.
February 2, 2026 at 8:44 AM
February 2. One month ago today (January 2), Renee Good and Alex Pretti were alive, and the U.S. military hadn't attacked a Latin American nation in decades.
Joaquín Castro kicks ass.
Yesterday, five-year-old Liam and his dad Adrian were released from Dilley detention center. I picked them up last night and escorted them back to Minnesota this morning.
Liam is now home. With his hat and his backpack.
Liam is now home. With his hat and his backpack.
February 1, 2026 at 4:50 PM
Joaquín Castro kicks ass.
Fire him.
Bovino Is Said to Have Mocked Prosecutor’s Jewish Faith on Call With Lawyers
www.nytimes.com
January 31, 2026 at 7:39 PM
Fire him.
51 of 53 Republican senators are apparently still ok with this and/or afraid of Stephen Miller.
👀 Every Senate Democrat + Collins and Murkowski just voted for the Bernie Sanders amendment to repeal the $75 billion in additional ICE funding under Trump’s “big beautiful bill.” The measure failed 49-51.
January 31, 2026 at 12:59 AM
51 of 53 Republican senators are apparently still ok with this and/or afraid of Stephen Miller.
Training is not enough. Body-worn cameras aren’t enough. A real probability of being held accountable can’t be optional. It’s the only way to change behavior.
Here's a 3-minute explainer on use-of-force standards and how they've failed at DHS.
Here's a 3-minute explainer on use-of-force standards and how they've failed at DHS.
Understanding Border Patrol's Deadly Force Problem
YouTube video by WOLA: Washington Office on Latin America
www.youtube.com
January 30, 2026 at 4:12 PM
Training is not enough. Body-worn cameras aren’t enough. A real probability of being held accountable can’t be optional. It’s the only way to change behavior.
Here's a 3-minute explainer on use-of-force standards and how they've failed at DHS.
Here's a 3-minute explainer on use-of-force standards and how they've failed at DHS.
pretty radical, time to find out if the American people are ready for audacious ideas like “not being deported”…hope they focus-grouped that one first
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) on Thursday said House Democrats will demand a ban on the deportation of American citizens as a condition of winning their support for legislation funding the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
Jeffries demands ban on deportation of US citizens as part of DHS reforms
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) on Thursday said House Democrats will demand a ban on the deportation of American citizens as a condition of winning their support for legislation fun…
www.kget.com
January 30, 2026 at 3:15 AM
pretty radical, time to find out if the American people are ready for audacious ideas like “not being deported”…hope they focus-grouped that one first
I think a good way to commit a crime would be to buy a ticket to "Melania," commit your crime during the showtime, and then tell the police you were at "Melania" and there'd be no witnesses to contradict your alibi. Then, enjoy your stolen jewels or whatever.
January 30, 2026 at 2:15 AM
I think a good way to commit a crime would be to buy a ticket to "Melania," commit your crime during the showtime, and then tell the police you were at "Melania" and there'd be no witnesses to contradict your alibi. Then, enjoy your stolen jewels or whatever.
But the anti-choice movement settled for less than their ultimate, out-of-reach goal many times along the way. Late-term abortion bans. Parental consent laws. The Hyde amendment.
For many of them, even overturning Roe isn’t their main goal: it's a federal ban, which hopefully remains out of reach.
For many of them, even overturning Roe isn’t their main goal: it's a federal ban, which hopefully remains out of reach.
January 30, 2026 at 1:20 AM
But the anti-choice movement settled for less than their ultimate, out-of-reach goal many times along the way. Late-term abortion bans. Parental consent laws. The Hyde amendment.
For many of them, even overturning Roe isn’t their main goal: it's a federal ban, which hopefully remains out of reach.
For many of them, even overturning Roe isn’t their main goal: it's a federal ban, which hopefully remains out of reach.
Not within grasp *in 2026*. For Senate Democrats in budget negotiations.
You want Senate Dems to sit across from Republicans and say, “No bill may pass that doesn’t abolish the agency you just gave $80b to, also Trump has to sign it”?
Sure, fine. And when that falls flat… see the list in my post.
You want Senate Dems to sit across from Republicans and say, “No bill may pass that doesn’t abolish the agency you just gave $80b to, also Trump has to sign it”?
Sure, fine. And when that falls flat… see the list in my post.
"abolish ICE isn't within grasp"
source: I made it up
source: I made it up
“Abolish” or “defund” aren't within grasp in 2026. But where are:
- End qualified immunity
- Rewrite use-of-force so this crap isn't ruled “within policy”
- Overturn July 8 mandatory detention memo
- Reinstate TPS
- Open up detention centers, enforce humane conditions
He doesn’t even *ask* for it.
- End qualified immunity
- Rewrite use-of-force so this crap isn't ruled “within policy”
- Overturn July 8 mandatory detention memo
- Reinstate TPS
- Open up detention centers, enforce humane conditions
He doesn’t even *ask* for it.
January 30, 2026 at 1:14 AM
Not within grasp *in 2026*. For Senate Democrats in budget negotiations.
You want Senate Dems to sit across from Republicans and say, “No bill may pass that doesn’t abolish the agency you just gave $80b to, also Trump has to sign it”?
Sure, fine. And when that falls flat… see the list in my post.
You want Senate Dems to sit across from Republicans and say, “No bill may pass that doesn’t abolish the agency you just gave $80b to, also Trump has to sign it”?
Sure, fine. And when that falls flat… see the list in my post.