The Andes
Peru: 24 arrested on Shining Path links
The leadership of Peru's Movement for Amnesty and Fundamental Rights (MOVADEF) was arrested in a joint police-army operation, accused of being Sendero Luminoso operatives.
Author: CounterVortex
Southern Cone
Paraguay: imprisoned campesinos on hunger strike
Five Paraguayan campesinos arrested during a violent squatter eviction in 2012 and held since then without trial are six weeks into a hunger strike.
Southern Cone
Paraguay: indigenous Aché people charge genocide
The Aché indigenous people of Paraguay brought suit in an Argentine court demanding reparations for "genocide" carried out under the late Paraguayan dictator Alfredo Stroessner.
Mexico
Mexico: gas pipeline opponents arrested
Popular organizations in south-central Mexico announced protests to demand the liberation of three campesinos detained in connection with opposition to a new gas pipeline.
Mexico
Michoacán: ‘community police’ out of control —already?
"Community police" forces in Michoacán launched a blockade of a Mexican naval base after marines attempted to disarm their gunmen.
Europe
Ukraine: pro-Russian uprisings in east
Protesters seized government buildings in Ukraine's east, declaring the Donbas region to be a "people's republic" and calling for a referendum on union with Russia.
Europe
Baltics militarized by NATO amid Russian threats
Above Russian protests, NATO is beefing up its Baltic Air Policing program with more fighter jets—at the request of regional leaders, who cite Russian provocation.
The Andes
Colombia: gains against Buenaventura butchers?
Speaking in the Pacific port of Buenaventura, Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos boasted gains against paramilitary gangs that have been terrorizing the city.
The Andes
Bolivia: three dead in miners’ protests
Three were killed as thousands of independent miners blocked highways across Bolivia to protest a pending law that would impose restrictions on their cooperatives.
Europe
NATO, Russia face off across Black Sea
As the US deploys warships to the Black Sea for NATO exercises, Ukraine approved a NATO force to be stationed in the country. Russian troops meanwhile mass on Ukraine's borders.
Greater Middle East
Russia boosts military aid to Assad
Russia is boosting military aid to the Bashar Assad regime in Syria, just as the US has finally broken off diplomatic relations with Damascus—signalling a deepening proxy war.
Greater Middle East
Syria: jihadis target Armenians
Some 2,000 Armenians from the town of Kessab in northern Syria have taken refuge in the port city of Latakia following the occupation of their town by jihadist forces.