The Andes
Peru: more strikes and protests rock 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.
The Andes
Peru: successor to captured Shining Path leader captured —already
Weeks after notorious Shining Path leader “Comrade Artemio” was caputured, Peruvian authorities announced the apprehension of his sucessor “Comrade Freddy.”
Central America
Napolitano defends Drug War; Costa Rica breaking ranks?
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.
Southern Cone
Official report confirms presence of “hiding tribe” on Paraguay ranchlands
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 Andes
UN: Colombia’s land victims in danger
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.
The Andes
FARC announce intention to release hostages, abandon kidnapping
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.
South Asia
“All-India” general strike shuts down large areas of country
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.
Europe
WikiLeaks makes headlines yet again —but still not Belarus connection
WikiLeaks and Anonymous team up to target Stratfor, winning favorable alterno-coverage. Predictably, nobody is talking about WikiLeaks’ continued silence on charges of complicity with grave human rights abuses in Belarus.
Southeast Asia
Malaysians hold “green” protest against rare earth refinery
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.
The Caucasus
Azeris recall Nagorno-Karabakh massacre; Armenia opens enclave to mineral interests
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.
Watching the Shadows
Anti-Obama conspiracies seen in oil price spike
Just as the presidential horserace starts to gain velocity, so do oil prices. Are the Koch brothers manipulating prices to undermine Obama in November? Their recent dabblings in “contango” oil market speculations indicate this may be the case…
Palestine
Palestine: one detainee hunger strike ends; another begins
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.