The Andes
Shining Path leaders indicted in US court
Three leaders of Peru's Shining Path guerrilla movement, two still at large, were indicted in a US district court in New York on charges of "narco-terrorism conspiracy."
Day: July 4, 2006
The Andes
Peru: developers raze ancient pyramid
A demolition crew razed a pyrmaid at El Paraiso archaeological site in Lima—apparently contracted by developers who covet the lands for a new commerical center.
South Asia
India: demand probe of massacre in Naxalite zone
Rights advocates and left-wing political parties in India are demanding an inquiry into the massacre of 19 adivasi (tribal) villagers in a remote part of Chhattisgarh state by police hunting for Naxalite guerillas.
The Amazon
Brazil: indigenous tribes occupy Belo Monte dam site
For two weeks the jungle construction site of the planned Belo Monte dam in Brazil’s Pará state has been under occupation by some 200 members of the Xikrin, Arara and other indigenous peoples, many armed with spears.
The Andes
Peru: three dead in Cajamarca anti-mining protests
Three people were killed—including a youth of 17 years—when National Police and army troops fired on protesters opposing the US-backed Conga gold mine project in Peru’s northern region of Cajamarca.
Palestine
Israel restricts al-Aqsa mosque access after Jerusalem protests
Israeli police limited access to al-Aqsa Mosque in a precautionary measure a day after clashes in Jerusalem. Meanwhile haredi Jews clashed with police over the arrest of their leader Rabbi Yaakov Yosef on suspicion of inciting violence.
The Andes
Colombia: ex-para warlord names top generals as collaborators
Salvatore Mancuso, ex-commander of the United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia (AUC), presented prosecutors with the names of 31 high-ranking military and police officers who collaborated in massacres.
Central America
El Salvador: anti-mining organizer missing, foul play suspected
Social organizations in El Salvador denounced the disappearance of Gustavo Marcelo Rivera, an anti-mining leader from the town of San Isidro, fearing a political motive.
The Amazon
Peru approves controversial Amazon oil contract —in wake of uprising
Peru has approved Anglo-French Perenco’s contract to drill for oil in the Amazon—in the wake of a wave of unrest over government develop plans in the region that left at least 30 dead.
Afghanistan
Afghanistan escalates with USMC offensive in Helmand
Some 4,000 US Marines moved into villages in Taliban strongholds in southern Afghanistan’s Helmand province—a remote area that is at the center of the country’s opium cultivation.
North America
White House loosens up on ICE workplace policy; “gang” raids continue
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has dropped high-profile workplace raids that marked the Bush years—but so-called “gang” raids continue, with over 100 arrested in North Texas last week.
Palestine
Israel high court orders stronger penalty in prisoner abuse case
The Israeli Supreme Court ordered the IDF to refile indictments on more serious charges against a soldier and an officer accused of shooting a blindfolded prisoner with a rubber bullet.