Mexico
Mexico: Pentagon privatizes controversial “war on drugs”
Private contractors are now bidding for US-funded “drug war” operations, including training for Mexican soldiers and police.
The Andes
Peru: indefinite occupation declared to halt mine in Cajamarca
Some 400 protesters clashed with police as they attempted to occupy the site of the planned Conga gold mine in Peru’s highland region of Cajamarca. Protesters say they will keep up their regional strike until the project is cancelled.
Mexico
Mexico: Calderón to The Hague?
Mexican human rights activists filed a complaint with the International Criminal Court calling for an investigation into possible crimes against humanity by the security forces under President Felipe Calderón’s campaign against the drug cartels.
The Amazon
Ecuador: indigenous leader sentenced to prison for “defamation”
Monica Chuji, Ecuador’s former communications minister under President Rafael Correa and a leading indigenous activist, was sentenced to a year in prison for “defamation”—stemming from her resignation over repression of protests.
The Amazon
Peru: supposedly non-existent “uncontacted” tribesmen kill intruder
One man was killed by an arrow shot by an “isolated” or “uncontacted” indigenous band in Peru’s Madre de Dios region, according to the indigenous alliance FENAMAD—which has long refuted claims that the isolated bands don’t exist.
The Andes
Chávez repatriates Venezuelan gold from European banks
Venezuela announced the first air shipment of overseas gold holdings as part of a move to repatriate the country’s foreign reserves from Europe and North America. Hugo Chávez said the gold “should have never left” government coffers.
Central America
Belize: government grants oil company permit to Maya lands
The government of Belize quietly granted US Capital Energy drilling rights to protected Maya lands in Sarstoon Temash National Park. The move comes in defiance of a Supreme Court ruling that recognized indigenous territorial rights.
The Andes
FARC executes prisoners in rescue attempt: Bogotá
Guerilla fighters of the Colombian Revolutionary Armed Forces (FARC) executed four captive members of the security forces as the army raided the camp where they were being held in a rescue attempt, the Defense Ministry charges.
South Asia
India: most-wanted Naxalite leader killed in “fake encounter”
Molajula Koteswar Rao AKA “Kishenji,” most-wanted leader of India’s Naxalite guerillas, was killed in a gun battle with security forces, authorities said. Sympathizers of the Maoist rebel movement charged that Kishenji had been illegally executed.
Europe
German protesters block nuclear waste rail shipment
German police on battled thousands of anti-nuclear protestors—many chained to railroad tracks—who blocked the shipment of radioactive waste returning from a French treatment plant. The rails were blocked for 18 hours.
Greater Middle East
Egypt: sit-in at cabinet building launched to demand “national salvation government”
New street clashes broke out in Cairo after a young protester was killed when he was run over by a police truck. An ongoing sit-in at the cabinet building has been launched to demand a civilian-led “national salvation government.”
Afghanistan
Islamabad closes Khyber Pass supply route after NATO attacks Pakistan
Pakistani officials said NATO aircraft killed at least 25 troops in strikes against two military posts on the Afghan border, and responded by closing the strategically important Khyber Pass supply route to Afghanistan.