The Andes
Peru declares no-fly zone over coca valley
Peru announced a no-fly zone over the conflicted coca-producing region known as the VRAE—reviving a controversial policy that claimed innocent lives 14 years ago.
The Andes
Colombia: rights situation grim despite peace talks
A UN report warns that Colombia's humanitarian situation remains severe in spite of ongoing peace talks with the FARC, stressing continued paramilitary activity.
The Andes
Colombia: protests against illegal mining in Cauca
Hundreds of indigenous and Afro-Colombian protesters in Colombia's Cauca region marched cross-country against illegal gold mining—despite paramilitary threats.
Central America
Panama: Barro Blanco dam construction suspended
After years of controversy, Panama's government has ordered a temporary halt to the building of a dam opposed by local indigenous communities.
Central America
Honduras: AFL-CIO blames trade policies for crisis
The AFL-CIO once backed US government meddling in Honduras, but a new report from the labor federation is a scathing indictment of US "security" and "free trade" policies.
Mexico
Mexico: UN criticizes officials on disappearances
The Mexican government is facing more international criticism for its handling of some 22,600 cases of forced disappearances over the past eight years.
The Caribbean
Haiti: new general strike shuts down capital
Political and economic issues combined to generate an effective two-day general strike that was honored in the capital and some other parts of Haiti.
The Caribbean
Dominican Republic: was Haitian man lynched?
Police suggest a Haitian immigrant was killed to keep him from giving evidence on another murder, but the crime looked a lot like a racist lynching from the Jim Crow era.
Greater Middle East
Rights groups call for release of Syria activists
A coalition of international rights groups called for the release of three Syrian journalists who have been held without trial for three years under the country's Anti-Terrorism Law.
Iraq
Iraq militias may be committing war crimes
Human Rights Watch said that militias allied with Iraqi forces are committing systematic abuses against Sunni civilians that are "possibly war crimes."
Greater Middle East
Morsi goes on trial over espionage allegations
An Egyptian court put ex-president Mohammed Morsi on trial over accusations of spying and endangering national security by leaking information to Qatar.
Southern Cone
Argentina: Chinese spaceport plan protested
Protesters marched to a construction site in Argentina's Neuquén province where plans are moving ahead for a spaceport to be overseen by China's space agency.