Elizabeth Dickinson
banner
dickinsonbeth.bsky.social
Elizabeth Dickinson
@dickinsonbeth.bsky.social
Interim Deputy Director for Latin America @crisisgroup.org. Past lives in the Arabian Peninsula and West Africa. Ex-journo, @economist.com @foreignpolicy.com. Runner.
Reposted by Elizabeth Dickinson
✍️ “Venezuela cannot be promptly transformed into a free country. Washington’s attempt at a shortcut could leave the nation even worse off than it is today.”

@philgunson.bsky.social for @foreignaffairs.com.

www.foreignaffairs.com/united-state...
The Peril of Ousting Maduro
Only a gradual transition—not regime change by corce—can restore Venezuela’s democracy.
www.foreignaffairs.com
November 21, 2025 at 5:55 PM
For decades, the #Colombian military has relied on having a monopoly on air power to combat armed and criminal groups.

As criminal groups turn to drones, these dynamics are quickly changing.

Join us this Thursday to discuss with @csis.org
20 Nov
4pm ET 👇

www.csis.org/events/count...
Countering the Criminal Drone Threat in the Americas | CSIS Events
Join the Americas Program for a conversation on combatting the threat from illicit drones in Latin America and the Caribbean.
www.csis.org
November 19, 2025 at 1:23 AM
Indispensable read today from my @crisisgroup.org colleague @glaeldys.bsky.social on #Ecuador, where a hard-handed approach against criminal gangs has fragmented and exacerbated violence.

As Ecuador votes in a critical referendum, don't miss this important read 👇

www.nytimes.com/2025/11/16/o...
Opinion | Ecuador’s Iron Fist Is Failing. U.S. Troops Won’t Help.
www.nytimes.com
November 16, 2025 at 4:15 PM
Ecuador's descent into violence offers lessons for the region about how quickly organized crime can spread, w devastating effects for civilians.

My @crisisgroup.org colleague @glaeldys.bsky.social explains what happened, how gov has responded, what comes next.

www.crisisgroup.org/latin-americ...
Paradise Lost? Ecuador’s Battle with Organised Crime | International Crisis Group
For decades, Ecuador was an oasis of calm as its South American neighbours descended into drug-related crime and conflict. No longer. Without a stronger social safety net and a firmer anti-corruption ...
www.crisisgroup.org
November 12, 2025 at 6:28 PM
Please don't miss this sensitive, heartbreaking and brutal investigation by @viviannereim and @Lattif on the women trapped in KSA after giving birth out of wedlock.

www.nytimes.com/2025/11/10/w...
Born to Unwed Mothers, These Children Are Trapped in Saudi Arabia
www.nytimes.com
November 10, 2025 at 2:52 PM
Reposted by Elizabeth Dickinson
NEW:

In @justsecurity.org I analyze the Trump administration's reported theory for how it can continue its lethal maritime strikes despite the time limit on unauthorized military action imposed by the War Powers Resolution.

www.justsecurity.org/123844/war-p...
Dissecting the Trump Administration’s Effort to Circumvent the War Powers Resolution for Boat Strikes
Analysis of Trump administration's claim that War Powers Resolution's regulating US troops in "hostilities" does not apply to boat strikes.
www.justsecurity.org
November 3, 2025 at 3:07 PM
The U.S. pressure campaign in the Caribbean risks destabilizing the broader Andes region, with potentially catastrophic spillover effects.

Our latest statement from @CrisisGroup

🧵 on Colombia takeaways 👇

www.crisisgroup.org/latin-americ...
Beware the Slide Toward Regime Change in Venezuela | International Crisis Group
The Trump administration is dispatching military assets to the Caribbean and sinking boats it claims ferry drugs. While it appears the deployment is part of a plan to depose Venezuelan President Nicól...
www.crisisgroup.org
October 23, 2025 at 10:36 PM
Just a reminder that, if Washington is truly interested in combatting drug trafficking:

“It will be difficult — if not impossible — for the US to achieve its goals in Latin America while alienating its closest military and intelligence-sharing partner”

on.ft.com/4hrXq2g
Trump calls Colombia president a ‘drug leader’ and vows to end US funding
[FREE TO READ] Gustavo Petro had earlier accused administration of murder over its attacks on vessels in the Caribbean
on.ft.com
October 19, 2025 at 5:32 PM
Conversar sobre el conflicto desde el feminismo 💜

De lejos la mejor invitación que he recibido en los últimos años fue esa: pensar en cómo prevenir, mitigar, y resolver conflicto con una perspectiva feminista?

¡Acompáñanos con @latam.crisisgroup.org @HumanasColombia mañana!
September 24, 2025 at 12:37 AM
Reposted by Elizabeth Dickinson
✍️ This week’s Analyst’s Notebooks are out.

🇪🇺🇮🇱 @lisamusiol.bsky.social examines EU proposals to sanction Israel
🇸🇸 Daniel Akech analyses treason charges in South Sudan
🇨🇴🇺🇸 @dickinsonbeth.bsky.social unpacks U.S move to decertify Colombia

Read latest insights here: www.crisisgroup.org/latest-updat...
September 19, 2025 at 10:54 AM
Reposted by Elizabeth Dickinson
"Si la descertificación parece tener motivaciones políticas, haber decretado la exención al mismo tiempo responde a la estrecha cooperación entre #Colombia y #EEUU, que está en el seno de la lucha diaria de ambos países contra el crimen organizado."

✍️ @dickinsonbeth.bsky.social
El auge de la coca y el enfriamiento de la relación bilateral impulsan la decisión de EE. UU. de descertificar a Colombia | International Crisis Group
La experta de Crisis Group Elizabeth Dickinson analiza la decisión del presidente Trump y las noticias sobre los limitados impactos a la cooperación bilateral.
www.crisisgroup.org
September 17, 2025 at 8:17 PM
Reposted by Elizabeth Dickinson
🗒️ NEW ANALYST'S NOTEBOOK | Booming Coca and Bilateral Chill Drive U.S. Move to Decertify Colombia

@dickinsonbeth.bsky.social examines President Trump’s decision and the news that effects on aid may be limited.

www.crisisgroup.org/latin-americ...
Booming Coca and Bilateral Chill Drive U.S. Move to Decertify Colombia | International Crisis Group
Crisis Group expert Elizabeth Dickinson examines President Trump’s decision and the news that effects on aid may be limited.
www.crisisgroup.org
September 16, 2025 at 9:11 PM
Entering a polarizing election year, & 9yrs after the 2016 peace accord, Colombia’s transitional court laid down its long-awaited first sentences against leadership of the former FARC.

🧵 on what this means for a refreshed debate about balancing justice & peace

www.jep.gov.co/Sala-de-Pren...
September 16, 2025 at 7:56 PM
After months of (warranted) concern, Colombia's decertification turned out to be a slap on the wrist with limited fallout - the best case scenario in the current political context.

My analysis of what this means for US-Colombia relations 👇@crisisgroup.org

www.crisisgroup.org/latin-americ...
Booming Coca and Bilateral Chill Drive U.S. Move to Decertify Colombia | International Crisis Group
Crisis Group expert Elizabeth Dickinson examines President Trump’s decision and the news that effects on aid may be limited.
www.crisisgroup.org
September 16, 2025 at 7:12 PM
Colombia's 2016 peace agreement offered a windfall of security after decades of internal conflict.

The rising levels of insecurity today are a lesson in how difficult it is to sustain the gains of peace. The hard part starts the day after.

Latest for @nytimes.com

www.nytimes.com/2025/09/08/o...
Opinion | A Second Chance for Peace in Colombia Is Slipping Away
www.nytimes.com
September 11, 2025 at 2:29 PM
Reposted by Elizabeth Dickinson
A new war is emerging in Colombia. Read @dickinsonbeth.bsky.social latest op-ed in the @nytimes.com.

www.crisisgroup.org/latin-americ...
A New War Is Emerging in Colombia | International Crisis Group
www.crisisgroup.org
September 10, 2025 at 2:50 PM
One year into an ongoing conflict inside the heart of the Sinaloa cartel, my colleague @dmoravera.bsky.social visited the region and offers firsthand insights into how the conflict has evolved 👇

In the context of US pressure, these dynamics as more salient than ever. @latam.crisisgroup.org
Today marks a year since the Sinaloa Cartel’s two largest factions, Chapitos and Mayos, fell into a deadly wave of infighting after the former kidnapped and rendered “El Mayo” Zambada to U.S. authorities. I visited the state recently for @crisisgroup.org and this is some of what I saw.
September 9, 2025 at 9:52 PM
La vuelta al conflicto en Colombia es una lección sobre lo difícil que es mantener el progreso hacia la paz.

Hoy escribo en @nytimeses.nytimes.com sobre un camino para recuperar la seguridad: presión military coordinada con diólogo y la implementación de 2016.

www.nytimes.com/es/2025/09/0...
En Colombia está surgiendo una nueva guerra
www.nytimes.com
September 9, 2025 at 3:42 PM
Colombia is entering a difficult election year, amid rising armed group violence.

The temptation to seek a military solution is a false one.

Peace talks work. Sustaining their gains is harder.

My column today in @nytimes.com offers a way forward.

www.nytimes.com/2025/09/08/o...
Opinion | A New War Is Emerging in Colombia
www.nytimes.com
September 8, 2025 at 9:51 PM
Colombia has for years helped the US seize narcotics, capture criminals & unravel global trafficking, without the gratuitous casualties of last Tuesday’s boat strike.

Decertification would undermine the regional fight on org crime, I write for @nytimes.com

www.nytimes.com/2025/09/08/o...
Opinion | A New War Is Emerging in Colombia
www.nytimes.com
September 8, 2025 at 3:20 PM
As Colombia enters a difficult election year, our message is simple:peace works. Sustaining it is a lot harder.

To quell violence, Colombia needs strong, calibrated military pressure coordinated with dialogue. The 2016 accord must remain central 👇

www.nytimes.com/2025/09/08/o...
Opinion | A New War Is Emerging in Colombia
Colombia’s return to conflict is a lesson in how hard it is to sustain progress toward peace.
www.nytimes.com
September 8, 2025 at 1:16 PM
Reposted by Elizabeth Dickinson
People need to realize that with the lethal strike in the Caribbean, the US President is asserting the prerogative to kill outside the law.

Even if you care nothing for the people killed aboard that boat, such a claim of presidential power should alarm you.
September 6, 2025 at 7:19 PM
Reposted by Elizabeth Dickinson
NEW

🧵The White House has now issued its first formal legal justification for the lethal attack on a vessel in the Caribbean.

This War Powers report to Congress is long on bluster and short on substance.

This letter does not adequately justify the premeditated killing of apparent civilians. 1/n
September 5, 2025 at 7:06 PM
Las fracturas dentro del EMC se ven cada vez más pronunciadas, en medio de una ola de presiones en contra del grupo.

En esa columna, les explicamos porque el uso de violencia asimétrica es, a la vez, una muestra de fuerza y un indicador de debilidad 👇

www.lasillavacia.com/red-de-exper...
Los cuatro frentes de batalla del Estado Mayor Central
Los recientes ataques terroristas a lo largo del país evidencian la desesperada situación en la que se encuentra este grupo armado sin opciones para negociar.
www.lasillavacia.com
September 4, 2025 at 9:01 PM
Frente a una ola de presiones en su contra, el EMC está en modo de guerra.

Generar miedo a través de ataques terroristas es, a la vez, una muestra de fortaleza, pero también de debilidad.

Les contamos👇 @latam.crisisgroup.org @lasillavacia.bsky.social

www.lasillavacia.com/red-de-exper...
Los cuatro frentes de batalla del Estado Mayor Central
Los recientes ataques terroristas a lo largo del país evidencian la desesperada situación en la que se encuentra este grupo armado sin opciones para negociar.
www.lasillavacia.com
September 4, 2025 at 1:56 PM