Republished with full copyright permissions from The Washington Daily Chronicle. In a bold move to combat the escalating gang violence that has plagued Honduras, the country’s progressive president, Xiomara Castro, has announced plans to construct an isolated prison on the Islas del Cisne archipelago. This unique approach, reminiscent of neighboring El Salvador’s tough stance on criminal activities, aims to tackle the rampant murder, robbery, rape, and extortion committed by the most-feared gangsters in the Western Hemisphere. Island prisons have a storied history throughout Latin America, with countries like Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Mexico, Panama, and Peru once utilizing them. … Continue reading Honduras Plans to Build Remote Island Prison Colony for Gang Leaders

Republished with full copyright permissions from The Washington Daily Chronicle. When Israeli President Isaac Herzog addresses a joint session of the U.S. Congress on Wednesday, there will be some notable absences. At least five progressive U.S. lawmakers, including Reps. Ilhan Omar, Rashida Tlaib, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Jamaal Bowman, and Cori Bush, confirmed that they will be skipping Herzog’s speech in protest of Israel’s policies toward Palestinians in the occupied territories, which some Democrats recently described as “racist” and akin to apartheid. While these Democrats may be in the minority among their congressional peers, their positions are more mainstream than the D.C. … Continue reading The Shifting Dynamics of American Public Opinion on Israel-Palestine

Republished with full copyright permissions from The Washington Daily Chronicle. It is 11 a.m. on a weekday in late June in Amsterdam’s De Wallen district, and the aftermath of a vibrant night still lingers. The streets are being cleaned, a testament to the wild revelry that took place just hours before. Cigarette packs, spliff butts, and empty cannabis baggies dot the narrow alleyways, while sewage workers diligently scrub away graffiti. Through the red-curtained windows, sex workers begin their early shifts, bringing life to this 800-year-old neighborhood. This iconic area, known as the Red Light District, has long been a symbol … Continue reading The Controversy Over Amsterdam’s Red Light District and the Quest for a Livable City