Nicaragua, an outspoken member of the new anti-imperialist bloc in the western hemisphere, last month won the backing of the 33-member Latin American and Caribbean group at the UN for presidency of the General Assembly—nearly assuring it of election to… Read moreNicaragua headed for General Assembly presidency; US, Colombia miffed
Guatemalan authorities announced April 15 they had captured Daniel Pérez, a senior member of Mexico’s powerful Gulf Cartel, the latest sign that Mexican cartels are seeking control of Central American trafficking routes. Perez (alias Cachetes, or “Cheeks”), who is wanted… Read moreBoss of Mexico’s feared “Zetas” busted in Guatemala
Which is worse: that Absolut vodka is commodifying Mexico’s claim to its lost northern territories (Aztlan), or the predictable uptight gringo backlash? From the Daily 49er, the Cal State Long Beach student newspaper, April 15: Mexican booze ad not intoxicating… Read moreMadison Avenue exploits Mexican irredentism
James McKinley reports for the New York Times April 16 that cartel wars for control of Ciudad Juárez are reaping a “Wild West Blood Bath” in the border city, with more than 210 lives lost in the first three months… Read more“Wild West bloodbath” in Ciudad Juárez
Rights workers in Guatemala are calling upon the government to protect a Roman Catholic bishop from assassination after a rash of threats. Mgr. Álvaro Ramazzini, Bishop of San Marcos, has been warned that he will be killed unless he withdraws… Read moreGuatemala: bishop recieves death threats for defending campesinos
Diego Alexander Pulgarín, press-ganged into the Colombian military through the “Campesino Soldier” anti-guerilla militia program on Jan. 5, was released from the Rionegro Battalion military base in Antioquia department April 14, after declaring himself a conscientious objector. Pulgarín was held… Read moreColombia: conscientious objector freed following protests
Venezuela’s government announced April 9 it will nationalize the country’s largest steel maker following months of tense negotiations between the foreign-owned Sidor and its workers, who have been demanding better salaries and benefits. Days earlier, President Hugo Chávez announced a… Read moreVenezuela to nationalize steel company
From the International Alliance in Support of Workers in Iran (IASWI), April 14: About 30 workers of Alborz Tire Manufacturing Company were released on April 14th after signing letters promising not to get involved in any protest actions against their… Read moreIran: labor repression at Alborz tire plant
As Ramona Africa reports, this week, the MOVE 9 women were interviewed by the parole board in Philadelphia, while the men are still awaiting their interviews. Following a press conference at the Pennsylvania State Capitol Building, an online petition was… Read moreParole hearings begin for Philadelphia’s MOVE 9
Two announcers of the radio station “La Voz que Rompe el Silencio” (the Voice that Breaks the Silence) were assassinated on April 7 while traveling by car in the southern Mexican state of Oaxaca, according to the civil society organization… Read moreOaxaca: community radio activists assassinated
After a week of disturbances in Haiti over the high cost of living, on April 11 the Organization of American States (OAS) announced that in about two weeks it would supply $1 million for the purchase of food. France offered… Read moreHaiti: world reacts to protests
Residents from the southern Ecuadorian province of Azuay used rocks and burning tires to block a stretch of the Panamerican Highway on April 2 to protest a planned industrial-sized goldmine, which they say will contaminate the local water supply. Canadian… Read moreProtesters target Canada’s Iamgold in Ecuador
