Colombia: paramilitaries stage “armed strike” in Urabá

Colombia: police attack indigenous protesters

Since Oct. 12, indigenous and other social organizations in southwestern Colombia have been protesting the militarization of their lands, the US-Colombia Free Trade Agreement, and the failure of the government of President Alvaro Uribe to comply with agreements relating to… Read moreColombia: police attack indigenous protesters

Colombian government hampers justice efforts: HRW

From Human Rights Watch, Oct. 16: The administration of President Álvaro Uribe is jeopardizing efforts to secure justice for crimes committed by paramilitaries and their accomplices in Colombia, Human Rights Watch said in a report released today. The 140-page report,… Read moreColombian government hampers justice efforts: HRW

Venezuela: army intelligence officials held in student’s death

Venezuelan Justice Minister Tarek El-Aissami said Oct. 16 that six, including three army intelligence officials and a police officer, have been detained in the killing of an opposition student leader. El-Aissami said that the presumed murder weapon was also recovered… Read moreVenezuela: army intelligence officials held in student’s death

Venezuela: nationwide protests at prisons

Thousands of relatives of inmates staged sit-ins Oct. 14 at prisons across Venezuela to protest poor conditions and rights abuses. Hundreds of inmates die each year in prison violence—including 500 last year. This has fueled complaints that President Hugo Chávez… Read moreVenezuela: nationwide protests at prisons

Evo: Bolivia won’t “kneel down” to US on drug war

On Oct. 15, Bolivian President Evo Morales voiced defiance in the face of Washington threats to remove Bolivia’s trade preferences as a punitive measure for failing to meet US narcotics enforcement standards. “We can’t kneel down for $63 million,” said… Read moreEvo: Bolivia won’t “kneel down” to US on drug war

Bolivia: Evo leads march for new constitution

Bolivian President Evo Morales Oct. 13 led the opening rally at a cross-country march from the city of Caracollo, Oruro department, to La Paz in support of a referendum on the country’s pending new constitution. “If from here we begin… Read moreBolivia: Evo leads march for new constitution

Latin America: more shocks from global crisis

Latin American markets continued to be shaken by a global financial crisis set off in September by bad mortgages in the US. On Oct. 7 the stock exchange in Sao Paulo, Brazil, fell 4.66%; Mexico‘s market was down 3.97%; stocks… Read moreLatin America: more shocks from global crisis

Iran to open clinics in Bolivia

Iran’s top diplomat in Bolivia says his country will open two health clinics in the Andean nation as a base for future Red Crescent projects in South America. The agreement was signed by Iranian business attaché Hojjatollah Soltani and the… Read moreIran to open clinics in Bolivia

Peru: Sendero resurgent in Apurimac Valley

At least 18 were killed, including 12 soldiers, when Sendero Luminoso guerillas ambushed a Peruvian army convoy late Oct. 9, military sources say. A child was among six civilians killed in the ambush on four trucks transporting troops and civilians… Read morePeru: Sendero resurgent in Apurimac Valley

Peru: cabinet shake-up in “Petrogate” scandal

Calling his corrupt underlings “rats,” Peru’s President Alan García has dismissed his entire cabinet in what the local media have dubbed the “Petrogate” scandal, and appointed a popular left-wing regional governor as prime minister. Allegations of kickbacks in the granting… Read morePeru: cabinet shake-up in “Petrogate” scandal

Colombian guerillas linked to Mexican cartels?

Mexico’s powerful drug cartels are buying cocaine directly from Colombia’s main guerilla group, Colombian deputy defense minister Sergio Jaramillo charged Oct. 7 at an OAS anti-crime conference in Mexico City. Jaramillo said that Oliver Solarte, finance chief of the FARC‘s… Read moreColombian guerillas linked to Mexican cartels?