Central America
Guatemala: thousands march against cement plant
Thousands of indigenous Guatemalans marched the 35 kilometers from Sacatepéquez to Guatemala City to protest construction of a cement plant near their lands.
Author: CounterVortex
Afghanistan
US shifts Afghan opium strategy
US Marines and Afghan forces destroyed hundreds of tons of opium and heroin in Helmand, in raids that officials say are part of a shift in counter-narcotics strategy.
Inner Asia
Kyrgyzstan election results contested
Kyrgyzstan’s incumbent Kurmanbek Bakiyev claims an 85% of the vote in the weekend’s presidential election, but challenger Almazbek Atambayev is questioning the results.
Africa
Nigerian Taliban spread attacks
Rebels of a group known as the “Nigerian Taliban” expanded attacks against security forces to three northern states, leaving at least 80 people dead in two days of clashes.
Iraq
Iraq: Baghdad investigates US pact with Sunni “resistance”
Iraq’s Foreign Ministry said it is verifying reports about the signing of a protocol between the US and parties of the “Iraqi resistance”âwithout the Iraqi government’s knowledge.
Central America
Honduras: military control of Caribbean zone behind conflict?
The Garifuna and Miskito are demanding constitutional reform to win greater control of their landsâas the Honduran military plans to bring US troops into the remote region.
Central America
Honduras: Zelaya establishes border camp; another protester killed
A young man was killed by Honduran troops as Manuel Zelaya made his symbolic 30-minute return to the country. Zelaya has established a camp near the border in Nicaraguan territory.
The Andes
Colombia: indigenous march against violence in Cauca
In a minga (popular mobilization) called in response to growing violence on their territories, some 10,000 indigenous residents of Colombia’s Cauca department marched 140 kilometers between the towns of Santander de Quilichao and Corinto July 23-4. On July 19, Corinto… Read moreColombia: indigenous march against violence in Cauca
The Andes
Colombia: FARC assassinate indigenous people in Antioquia
Traditional indigenous authorities in Antioquia department protested that three residents of the Embera Eyabida reserve were killed by members of the FARC’s Front 18.
The Andes
Colombia: “emergent” paramilitaries “disappear” campesino in Meta
Community leaders in Vistahermosa, Meta department, reported the disappearance of a local campesino. A strong presence of the Ăguilas Negras paramilitary is reported in the zone.
Central America
Honduras: Micheletti appoints death squad veteran
Billy Joya Améndola, leader of the notorious 316 Battalion, is among veterans of the bloody 1980s repression who are now taking the helm of the Honduran security forces.
Central America
Honduras: showdown at border as Zelaya attempts to return
President Manuel Zelaya made a second attempt to return to Hondurasâsparking another confrontation between his supporters and security forces, this time at the Nicaraguan border.