Bolivian officials Nov. 11 formally requested that the US issue extradition orders for former Bolivian president Gonzalo Sánchez de Lozada to face “genocide” charges for his repression of October 2003 protests over corporate exploitation of the country’s natural gas resources… Read moreBolivia requests extradition of ex-president from US on “genocide” charge
The US has halted aid to three Colombian army units after officers and soldiers were implicated in the killing of civilians, a senior US official told Reuters. “We have determined that three army units are no longer eligible to receive… Read moreUS blocks aid to tainted Colombian army units: report
From The Hill, Nov. 11: Newly designated White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel said Sunday that the incoming Obama administration opposes attaching the Colombia Free Trade Agreement to an economic stimulus package in order to get the approval of… Read moreEmanuel: Obama won’t link Colombia FTA to stimulus package
Venezuela plans to build five military bases along its border with Colombia, Justice Minister Tarek El Aissami announced Nov. 9 on a visit to the mountainous border zone, saying the bases will help President Hugo Chavez’s government fight drug smuggling,… Read moreVenezuela to militarize Colombian border
Mitsubishi, which plans to release its own electric car soon, estimates that the demand for lithium—a critical ingredient in the batteries—will outstrip supply in less than 10 years unless new sources come on line. And those sources are in the… Read moreNext in Bolivia: lithium wars?
Threats from resurgent paramilitary groups continue against the San José de Apartadó Peace Community in Colombia’s conflicted Urabá region. On the morning of Nov. 7 at the San José vereda (hamlet) of Playa Larga, some 50 rifle-wielding paramilitaries in camo… Read moreColombia: more threats, displacement at Peace Community
Hugo Chávez says he is ready to talk to Barack Obama despite the president-elect’s past criticism of the Venezuelan leader. “We are convinced that the hour has arrived to establish new relations between our countries and our regions, based on… Read moreChávez, Evo hail Obama’s victory, call for “new relations”
Gen. Mario Montoya, commander of Colombia’s armed forces, resigned Nov. 4 after an investigation tied dozens of military personnel under his command to a growing scandal over the killing of civilians by the military in an apparent attempt to inflate… Read moreColombia: armed forces chief resigns in human rights scandal
The Peace Community of San José de Apartadó in Colombia’s northwestern Antioquia department reported on Oct. 31 that right-wing paramilitaries were threatening to murder community members. A joint operation of paramilitaries and the army’s 17th Brigade murdered eight people in… Read moreColombia: paras threaten Peace Community
President Evo Morales, speaking before a cheering crowd of coca-growers, announced Nov. 1 that he is suspending “until further notice” the operations of the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in Bolivia, accusing the agency of spying and encouraging anti-government protests…. Read moreBolivia boots DEA
Colombia’s FARC guerrillas agreed in principle Oct. 28 to meet with 150 prominent Colombian intellectual and political figures to discuss a release of hostages. The meeting had been suggested in a Sept. 11 letter by the group, which includes relatives… Read moreColombia: FARC agrees to peace dialogue
Colombian President Álvaro Uribe announced Oct. 29 the sacking of 25 soldiers and officers—including three generals and four colonels—in connection with the deaths of 11 young men from the town of Soacha, in central Cundinamarca department. The move followed a… Read moreColombia: officers purged over “false positive” executions
