Mexico

Mexico: gas pipeline opponents arrested

Popular organizations in south-central Mexico announced protests to demand the liberation of three campesinos detained in connection with opposition to a new gas pipeline.

Southern Cone

Brazil: Kennedy backed plan for 1964 coup

As Brazilians mark the 50th anniversary of a military coup, US documents show that plans for the action had the strong support of the liberal Kennedy administration.

The Caribbean

USAID’s ‘Cuban Twitter’ scheme flops

Under the guise of promoting social media in Cuba, the US government developed a Twitter knockoff to promote "smart mobs" and collect information on Cubans.

Mexico

Mexico: four die in Chiapas land dispute

Twenty years after the uprising by the indigenous Zapatistas, land issues continue to produce violence in the Chiapas highlands–sometimes with outside encouragement.

Europe

Ukraine: pro-Russian uprisings in east

Protesters seized government buildings in Ukraine's east, declaring the Donbas region to be a "people's republic" and calling for a referendum on union with Russia.

Watching the Shadows

Judge dismisses Yemen drone strike lawsuit

A federal judge dismissed a lawsuit brought against Obama administration officials for the 2011 drone strikes that killed three US citizens in Yemen.

The Andes

Bolivia: three dead in miners’ protests

Three were killed as thousands of independent miners blocked highways across Bolivia  to protest a pending law that would impose restrictions on their cooperatives.

Europe

NATO, Russia face off across Black Sea

As the US deploys warships to the Black Sea for NATO exercises, Ukraine approved a NATO force to be stationed in the country. Russian troops meanwhile mass on Ukraine's borders.