Author: CounterVortex
Tabasco Maya community joins Zapatista movement
The Chontal Maya community of Villa Vicente Guerrero, in Centla municipality of Mexico’s oil-rich Gulf Coast state of Tabasco, has declared itself an “autonomous municipality” in a letter to the Sixth Commission, civil wing of the Zapatista rebel movement in… Read moreTabasco Maya community joins Zapatista movement
Chiapas: two more sentenced in Acteal massacre
The brothers Antonio and Mariano Pucuj were sentenced to 26 years in prison late last month for their participation in the December 1997 massacre of 45 Tzotzil indigenous people at Acteal hamlet in Mexico’s southern Chiapas state. They were also… Read moreChiapas: two more sentenced in Acteal massacre
World Food Program warns of global food shock
Josette Sheeran, head of the UN World Food Program, warned that the global rise in basic food costs could continue until 2010, blaming soaring energy and grain prices—the effects of climate change and demand for biofuels. Some food prices rose… Read moreWorld Food Program warns of global food shock
El Salvador: bakers march against high price of grain
From the Committee in Solidarity with the People of El Salvador (CISPES), March 3:
Iraq: civil resistance protests “sexual cleansing”
From the Iraq Freedom Congress (IFC), March 8: On the 8th of March This Year… “No to Women Killing… No to the Gangs Who Promote Sexual Cleansing… Yes to an Iraq that is Free of Women Haters” The 8th of… Read moreIraq: civil resistance protests “sexual cleansing”
Talabani schmoozes Turks, sells out PKK
Iraq’s President Jalal Talabani said March 8 he seeks a “strategic” partnership with Turkey as he wrapped up a visit to Ankara aimed at easing tension sparked by the Turkish military’s eight-day incursion into Iraq last month. Speaking to members… Read moreTalabani schmoozes Turks, sells out PKK
Bolivia, Peru resist international pressure on coca
In its 2007 Annual Report, released March 5, the International Narcotics Control Board called on the governments of Bolivia and Peru to ban coca chewing, as well as its sale or export. The indigenous people of the Andes have chewed… Read moreBolivia, Peru resist international pressure on coca
“Galilee Freedom Battalion” claims Jerusalem seminary attack
Israeli authorities say the previously unknown Galilee Freedom Battalion was behind the March 6 attack on West Jerusalem’s Mercaz Harav Jewish seminary, and the gunman was an Arab from Jerusalem. (Ma’an News Agency, March 7) Opening fire with a Kalashnikov… Read more“Galilee Freedom Battalion” claims Jerusalem seminary attack
Russian “death merchant” busted in Thailand linked to FARC?
Viktor Bout, a notorious Russian arms dealer accused by both the UN and Amnesty International of flouting embargos, was arrested at a five-star hotel in central Bangkok March 6. Thai authorities issued the warrant based on information from the US… Read moreRussian “death merchant” busted in Thailand linked to FARC?
Iraq: bombs in Baghdad; mass grave in Samarra
At least 23 were killed and dozens were wounded March 3 when two car bombs, including one driven by a suicide attacker, blew up in Baghdad. In the suicide attack, a man drove a minibus into the headquarters of the… Read moreIraq: bombs in Baghdad; mass grave in Samarra
US launches cruise missile attack on Somalia
A US submarine fired three Tomahawk cruise missiles into southern Somalia March 3, aiming at what the Defense Department called terrorist targets. The missiles hit the town of Dobley, five miles from Somalia’s border with Kenya, partly destroying a house… Read moreUS launches cruise missile attack on Somalia