A Venezuelan migrant allegedly linked to criminal organizations sits inside a cell at CECOT on March 16, 2025, in Tecoluca, El Salvador.
Human Rights Watch said in its World Report 2026 that several governments in Latin America and the Caribbean are undermining fundamental rights, either by aligning themselves with President Donald Trump’s migration policies or by invoking his rhetoric to justify restrictive measures at home.
The report, which reviews conditions in more than 100 countries, warns that the international human rights system is under unprecedented strain and points to a growing trend of authoritarian practices across the region.
Security Policies and Excessive Use of Force
HRW highlights an expansion of security strategies centered on mass arrests, militarization, and disproportionate use of force. The organization also criticizes the US military offensive against Venezuela, warning that it could ultimately strengthen President Nicolás Maduro’s government.
According to the report, while Washington condemns abuses in Venezuela, Cuba, and Nicaragua, it has been less forceful in addressing violations in countries such as El Salvador, Ecuador, and Peru, where restrictions on journalists and human rights groups have intensified.
Migration and Pressure on Civil Society
The report further documents abuses against migrants deported from the United States. Panama and Costa Rica allegedly carried out arbitrary detentions of third-country nationals, while in El Salvador Venezuelans transferred from US territory faced arbitrary detention and mistreatment. The Dominican Republic increased deportations of Haitians to high-risk conditions.
HRW also warns that cuts to US funding for human rights organizations coincide with new laws in some countries that make it easier to shut down media outlets and NGOs. “Human rights groups and independent journalists remain essential pillars of democracy in the region,” said Juanita Goebertus, Americas director at Human Rights Watch.
