DIVIDE AND RULE IN THE LAND OF GOLD

by Frauke Decoodt

In San Miguel IxtahuacĂĄn, Guatemala, the Mina Marlin gold mine, operated by Canadian giant Goldcorp, has divided indigenous communities through gifts, benefits, and violence. The mine has caused a lot of damage. It has not only had a profound impact on the environment but also on the social cohesion of communities and families in the area, and on their cultural ties with the land.

Continue ReadingDIVIDE AND RULE IN THE LAND OF GOLD 

Greater Middle East

Syria moves towards sectarian war; Turkey next?

As urban warfare rages in Damascus and Aleppo, rebel gunmen abducted 47 Iranian pilgrims outside the capital—and a mob attack on Alawites was reported in Turkey.

Greater Middle East

Yemen between two poles of terrorism

A suicide attack killed 35 at the funeral of a Yemeni tribal leader who fought al-Qaeda militants—as a US drone strike in Hadramout province killed five.

Africa

Niger Delta insurgency back on?

Gunmen attacked two ships off the coast of Nigeria's oil-rich southern delta, killing two naval troops protecting the vessels and seizing four foreign workers before fleeing. 

Southern Cone

Brazil: court orders Chevron to suspend drilling

A federal court in Brazil ordered Chevron and drilling company Transocean to suspend all oil drilling in the country within 30 days in the wake of two spills off Rio de Janeiro.