Colombia: indigenous mobilization against military base
A “humanitarian caravan” arrived in Colombia’s Cauca department, bringing aid to hundreds of campesinos who have been maintaining a protest encampment to prevent the military from establishing a new base.
Peru: Cajamarca protesters symbolically bury President Humala —despite threats
The government of Peru’s President Ollanta Humala opened a new investigation into anti-mine protest leaders in Cajamarca. But protesters responded by holding a mock funeral for the president on his 50th birthday.
Peru: gold miners shut down Puno
In a second day of mobilization, some 20,000 informal gold miners filled the streets of Puno in southern Peru, demanding that the regional government support their demands for “free sale” of gold.
Venezuela: indigenous leaders assassinated
Alexander Fernández and two other leaders of the Yukpa indigenous movement for land recovery in Venezuela’s Zulia state were killed by sicarios, or hired assassins. Two other Yukpa leaders were killed weeks earlier.
Ecuador to withdraw troops from School of the Americas
Ecuadoran President Rafael Correa, at a meeting in Quito with a delegation of the US-based activist group SOA Watch, made the announcement that Ecuador is ceasing to send soldiers to the School of the Americas.
US Africa Command sees terrorist “coordination”
Gen. Carter Ham of US Africa Command warned of growing coordination between three major terror networks across the continent: al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), al-Shabaab in Somalia, and Boko Haram in Nigeria.
Military judge demands allegedly withheld evidence in WikiLeaks trial
A military judge at Fort Meade ordered the prosecution in the case against Pfc. Bradley Manning to submit a number of files that were allegedly withheld from the defense during discovery.
Oman court begins trial of 15 human rights activists
An Omani court began a case against 15 protesters accused of defamation and illegal assembly. Authorities have arrested over 30 who had been protesting to demand political reform and release of detained rights defenders.
Occupy Tel Aviv —again
Police detained 89 demonstrators after more than 6,500 people flooded Tel Aviv’s Habima Square to protest the arrest of Daphni Leef, a leader of last summer’s mass movement against the high cost of housing in Israel.
Mexico City airport shoot-out leaves three dead
Three Federal Police officers were killed in a shoot-out with two other Federal Police at a food court in Mexico City’s airport. The Federal District police commander denied any knowledge of narco-corruption at the facility.
Republicans push “Fast and Furious” conspiracy theory
Mexicans go on dying in the “drug war,” while in the US the gun lobby tries to blame gun control advocates for the flow of US-purchased assault weapons to the Mexican drug gangs.