Central America

Honduras: countdown to confrontation?

Honduran officials ordered the arrest of ousted President Manuel Zelaya if he returns to the country. Zelaya pledges to return in two days. Street clashes continue in Tegucigalpa.

Iraq

Iraq: US leaves behind “Dirty Brigade”

Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki proclaimed June 30 “National Sovereignty Day” as US forces withdraw from Iraq’s cities. But many fear the US-trained Counter Terrorism Bureau that will be moving in.

The Andes

Obama pledges progress on FTA in meeting with Uribe

Barack Obama held his first meeting with his Colombian counterpart Alvaro Uribe, pledging to move ahead with a Free Trade Agreement—in spite of expressed concerns about ongoing rights violations.