The Andes
Venezuela: Yukpa killed in land confrontation
Venezuelan army troops intervened in a confrontation between indigenous Yukpa residents and local ranchers over disputed lands, leaving one community member dead.
Author: CounterVortex
Greater Middle East
Yemen: US terror alert enflaming conflict?
The closing of the US embassy in Yemen has coinicided with drone strikes and clashes in Marib province, and a gun-battle between rival factions in the capital Sanaa.
Africa
Darfur: ethnic war exploding again
Efforts by pastoralist militias to bar refugees from returning to their lands in Darfur have sparked yet a new wave of fighting and displacement—with 250,000 uprooted this year.
Central America
Nicaragua: indigenous groups challenge canal plan
Nicaraguan civil society groups in the Caribbean region have challenged plans by a Hong Kong company to build an interoceanic canal through the Central American country.
The Andes
Peru: police ‘death squad’ leader absolved
A court in Trujillo, Peru, issued a ruling absolving former National Police colonel Elidio Espinoza, who was charged with running a secret "death squad" within the force.
The Amazon
Peru: Culture Ministry halts Camisea expansion
Peru’s Vice-Ministry of Inter-Culturality blocked expansion of the Camisea gas project, asserting that “isolated” indigenous peoples could be made extinct if it goes ahead.
Indigenous Oaxacans in Mexico’s private prisons
After spending nearly 17 years in the same prison cell just outside of Oaxaca City, seven indigenous Loxicha political prisoners were transferred in June—twice. The seven, accused of collaboration with the Popular Revolutionary Army (EPR), were first taken to Oaxaca’s… Read moreIndigenous Oaxacans in Mexico’s private prisons
The Andes
Colombian town expels mining company
After a lengthy dispute with global mega-firm AngloGold Ashanti, the people of the central Colombian town of Piedras passed a referendum to halt the company's operations.
The Andes
‘We have made mistakes, some serious’: FARC
FARC commander “Pablo Catatumbo” issued a public statement apologizing for “mistakes,” but also called on the US, Israel and other governments to apologize for funding the war.
Peru: pro-coca lawmaker ordered imprisoned
A court in Lima issued an order of “preventative detention” against ex-lawmaker Nancy Obregón, on suspicion of narco-trafficking and “collaboration with terrorism.”
The Andes
Peru: general strike against labor reform
Peru’s CGTP labor federation led angry protests in Lima ahead of independence day celebrations and pledged to mount a general strike to protest a reactionary new labor law.
Iran
Iran: protest conviction of Sufi activists
Human Rights Watch called upon Iran’s judiciary to drop charges and quash the verdicts against 11 members of a Sufi order convicted in what the rights group called unfair trials.