Gen. Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz, who led a coup in Mauritania last year, has claimed victory in the new election—but four opposing candidates rejected the result.
The left opposition bloc in Mexico’s congress issued a statement condemning President CalderĂłn’s illegal and unconstitutional “occupation” of violence-torn Michoacán.
US production of marijuana now equals that of Colombia, according to the annual report of the Vienna-based UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
Russian human rights group Memorial has suspended operations in Chechnya following the murder of one of its most prominent activists, Natalya Estemirova.
At least five people were killed in attacks targeting Shi’ite pilgrims in Baghdad commemorating the martyrdom anniversary of the seventh Imam, Musa al-Kadhim.
Deposed Honduran President Mel Zelaya said he agreed to a proposal made by mediator Costa Rica to form a national unity government—as his supporters continue to block highways to demand his return.
The body of missing community activist Gustavo Marcelo Rivera was found with signs of torture in in Cabañas department, El Salvador. Rivera had led a campaign against mining operations in the region.
A videotape that appears to link Colombia’s FARC guerillas to President Rafael Correa of Ecuador was broadcast on Colombian TV. Correa rejected the claims as “idiocies” and “barbarities.”
Venezuela’s former defense minister Italo del Valle Alliegro faces charges over his role in violent repression of the protests in Caracas in 1989, an affair today known as the “Caracazo.”
Police fired tear gas to disperse opposition supporters who gathered for Friday prayers at Tehran University—as Israel sends warships into the Red Sea, in a “message” to Tehran.
Thousands of protesters again blocked roads across Honduras to demand the return of ousted President Mel Zelaya, as Costa Rica’s Oscar Arias is proposing a “national reconciliation government.”
Colombia says it is close to sealing an agreement with Washington which would make the country the hub for US anti-drug operations in South America—despite protests that the move is unconstitutional.
