Mexico
North American labor federations blast NAFTA
Three major Canadian, Mexican and US labor federations responded to “Tres Amigos” summit with a joint statement harshly criticizing NAFTA.
The Andes
Peru’s García accuses Bolivia of secret pact with Chile in maritime dispute
Peru’s President Alan García accused his Bolivian counterpart of Evo Morales of an “under the table” deal with Chile over the coastline disputed by the three countries.
The Amazon
Peru: indigenous leaders demand “truth commission” on Amazon massacre
As a condition of peace with the government, Peruvian indigenous leaders are demanding a “truth commission” to investigate the June violence at Bagua, dubbed the “Amazon’s Tiananmen.”
The Andes
Peru overtakes Colombia as top cocaine exporter: report
According to a new report, in 2008 Colombia produced 430 tons of cocaine compared to 302 in Peru. But Colombian authorities supposedly intercepted 198 tons compared to only 20 in Peru.
The Andes
Peru: Montesinos faces 30 years on narco charges
Prosecutors in Peru are seeking a 30-year prison term for Vladimiro Montesinos, former intelligence chief under autocratic president and convicted political criminal Alberto Fujimori.
Central America
Honduras: Xiomara Castro de Zelaya calls for continued protest; rights abuses documented
Xiomara Castro, wife of ousted Honduran President Manuel Zelaya, called on followers to continue marching in support of her husband—as an Amnesty International report documents brutal repression.
Central America
Zelaya: Obama against coup —but “not the chief of the empire”
Deposed Honduran President Manuel Zelaya, speaking to reporters on a visit to Lima, asserted that “Barack Obama is the president of the United States, but not the chief of the empire.”
The Amazon
Peru’s National Police to get “license to kill”?
Peru’s Prime Minister Javier Velásquez is proposing legislation that would authorize the National Police to use deadly force against civilians if they believe a violent confrontation is imminent.
The Andes
Press freedom under attack in Peru
A bill introduced in Peru’s congress to ammend the libel law would be a threat to the freedom of press, especially for small and independent outlets, say journalists and other media professionals.
Afghanistan
Press freedom under attack in Afghanistan
Supposedly temporary restrictions on freedom of expression in the run-up to Afghanistan’s presidential vote are drawing protests from country’s press.
Southern Cone
Chile: Mapuche youth killed by police in land occupation
Jaime Mendoza Collío, shot by police in the community of Angol in the southern Chilean region of Araucanía, marks the third indigenous activist killed since the restoration of democracy in 1990.
Central America
Honduras: coup regime admits deporting Zelaya was “error” —but repression goes on
Coup-installed Honduran President Roberto Micheletti for the first time admitted that forcing the deposed President Manuel Zelaya to leave the country, instead of arresting him, was a mistake.