For fifteen years, Adriana Beltrán has championed a comprehensive approach to tackling insecurity, violence and the growing influence of organized crime in Central America. This violence has led to an influx of refugees into the United States and other countries, at record levels. Desperation due to the endemic levels of violence in the region has led many children, youth, and families to flee their homes and communities in search of a safe haven. As head of the Citizen Security Program for the Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA), a U.S.-based advocacy and research organization, Adriana promotes policies that identify and address the root causes of violence and improve the effectiveness and accountability of police and judicial systems.
