Ecuador expels US diplomats

Ecuador’s President Rafael Correa expelled two US diplomats on charges of trying to handpick officials of the National Police. Ecuadoran press accounts charge CIA involvement.

Venezuelan Jewish leader accuses Chávez of fomenting anti-Semitism

On the eve of a London conference on anti-Semitism, Venezuelan Jewish community leader Sammy Eppel accused President Hugo Chávez of leading a state-sanctioned campaign against the country’s Jews.

Venezuela: term limits voted down in key win for Chávez

“The doors of the future are wide open,” Hugo Chávez shouted from the presidential balcony after voters narrowly approved a referendum ending term limits and potentially allowing him to remain in office for life.

Peru seeks contract to extend Camisea pipeline

Peru’s President Alan García said the government will auction rights to build a new pipeline to connect the massive Camisea gas field in the Amazon region to Chimbote on the country’s north coast.

Bolivia schmoozes Moscow on energy projects; scandal rocks state gas company

Bolivian President Evo Morales flew to Moscow to discuss cooperation in the energy sector—just as a scandal involving bribery and murder is shaking the state hydrocarbons company YPFB.

Venezuela: charges and counter-charges in synagogue attack

The corporate media are using the Caracas synagogue attack as an opportunity for a torrent of Chávez-bashing—while the populist leader’s supporters are jumping on the Mossad conspiracy bandwagon.

Anti-labor violence rises in Colombia: House testimony

Colombian labor leaders testified before the US House Education and Labor Committee that killings of union members jumped by 25% in the Andean nation last year, and few of the cases have been investigated.

Colombia: FARC accused in massacre of indigenous people

FARC guerillas are accused in a massacre of 17 members of the Awá indigenous people in a jungle region in Colombia’s south. Ten more Awá were killed days later as they fled the scene of the first attack.

Colombia: two FARC hostages free—and talking

Colombian lawmaker Sigifredo López and former governor Alan Jara, freed from seven years in captivity by the FARC guerillas, had harsh words for both their ex-captors and President Alvaro Uribe.

Venezuela: arrests made in synagogue attack, conspiracy vultures descend

The arrest of a synagogue security official in the attack on the Jewish temple in Caracas, Venezuela, has the conspiracy set abuzz with talk of a “false flag” operation.

Venezuela: Chávez accuses rivals of exploiting synagogue attack

President Hugo Chávez condemned the attack on Caracas’ main synagogue—but warned it was being used to fan unrest ahead of a referendum next week on his bid for unlimited re-election.

Survival International: Colombian guerillas threaten indigenous people

Survival International reports that indigenous communities of the Sierra de Perijá in Venezuela are being threatened by Colombian rebels, who violate their land rights, demand resources and threaten leaders.