The Andes
FARC narco-factions refuse to lay down arms
FARC leaders admit that five regional commanders—those most co-opted by the narco trade—are refusing to lay down arms, and have been expelled from the movement.
Mexico
Mexico: vigilantes and narcos in hostage swap
The ongoing regional war in Mexico's Guerrero state between narco gangs and the anti-narco "community police" militia movement resulted in a hostage stand-off.
The Andes
Ecuador: ecology group ordered closed
Ecuador's government ordered Quito-based activist group Acción Ecológica closed amid a wave of repression against indigenous anti-mining protesters in the Amazon.
The Andes
Colombia: denialism on slayings of social leaders
Amid concern that Colombia's peace process could be jeopardized by ongoing assassinations of social leaders, the Defense Ministry said the slayings are "not systematic."
The Andes
Colombia: new attacks threaten talks with ELN
Colombian authorities are blaming ELN guerillas in a wave of attacks on security forces around the country, again jeopardizing the planned opening of peace talks.
The Andes
Colombia: FARC amnesty law approved
Colombia's Congress approved an amnesty law as part of the peace process, protecting guerilla fighters from prosecution over most crimes related to the conflict.
Southeast Asia
Duterte boasts of personally killing drug suspects
The Philippines' ultra-hardline President Rodrigo Duterte—facing international outrage for his bloody anti-drug crackdown—boasted that he has "personally" killed suspects.
Inner Asia
Russian blogger jailed for protesting Syria war
A Russian court sentenced blogger Alexei Kungurov to two-and-a-half years in prison for "justification of terrorism" over a post criticizing Moscow's military intervention in Syria.
Greater Middle East
Russia betrays Kurds as Syria alliance shifts
After initiating talks that exclude Washington, Turkey and Russia each accused the US of backing “terrorist groups” in Syria—obviously meaning the Kurds.
Palestine
Israel: protest vigil for detained Palestinian MK
Dozens demonstrated outside an Israeli courthouse in support of a Palestinian member of the Knesset, Basal Ghattas, after the court extended his detention another day.
North Africa
Libya: civilians detained in evacuation of Sirte
Human Rights Watch issued an urgent call for Libya's government to protect civilians who were detained after fleeing former ISIS stronghold Sirte.
Greater Middle East
Assad delivers ultimatum to Aleppo Kurds
Kurdish forces will have to hand over control of their enclave of Sheikh Maqsoud in Aleppo to the Damascus regime by the end of the year, according to an Assad military advisor.