Thousands of demonstrators, led by Paúl Carrasco, prefect of Azuay province, filled the streets of Cuenca, Ecuador, to oppose President Rafael Correa’s plans to massively expand the mineral sector.
Small-scale independent gold miners led strikes and protests across several regions of Peru to demand abrogation of new decrees that outlaw their activities.
Weeks after notorious Shining Path leader “Comrade Artemio” was caputured, Peruvian authorities announced the apprehension of his sucessor “Comrade Freddy.”
US Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano defended the US-backed war on the drug cartels, despite growing violence in Mexico and Central America—while Costa Rican President Laura Chinchilla called for a regional debate on legalization.
In an official report, Paraguay’s Department of Indigenous Affairs confirmed that an uncontacted tribe is living on lands in the northern Chaco region owned by the Brazilian ranching company River Plate, which is accused of wanton deforestation.
The UN representative to Colombia, Todd Howland, said that the country’s victims law has “holes” because threats and violence against displaced campesinos seeking to reclaim their usurped lands are impeding successful implementation.
Colombia’s FARC rebels announced they will release all 10 captive members of the security forces, and abandon kidnapping of civilians for extortion purposes. President Juan Manuel Santos said the move was “not enough” to renew peace talks.
Millions of workers walked off their jobs across India, with the telecoms, transport sector and postal service most affected. The “all-India” general strike was most universally observed in the southern state of Kerala, which remains virtually paralyzed.
The high-tech industry hopes the new rare earth refinery in Malaysia’s Pahang state will break China’s “stranglehold” on the essential precious metals. But local residents concerned about radioactive contamination have launched a protest campaign.
Some 60,000 Azeris gathered in Baku to mark the 20th anniversary of the Khojaly massacre in the disputed enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh. Armenian forces that control the enclave have opened it to copper, lead and barite exploration.
With Khader Adnan still recovering after his 66-day hunger strike against his “administrative detention” by Israel, a Palestinian woman, Hana Yahya al-Shalabi, began her own hunger strike against her detention without charge or trial.
Hamas turned against its long-time ally President Bashar Assad of Syria, throwing its support behind the rebellion aimed at overturning his rule. Meanwhile in Tunis, Hillary Clinton bashed Russia and China for opposing UN action against Assad.
