On Aug. 25, the workers of the sugar cane industry in the Colombian departments of Cauca and Valle del Cauca held an assembly in the town of Candelaria, Valle, attended by more than 7,000, where the decision was taken to… Read moreColombia: sugar cane workers threatened
As South America’s presidents converged on Chile Sept. 15 for an emergency summit on the crisis in Bolivia, President Evo Morales accused his political foes in the eastern lowlands of mounting a “civic coup,” and inciting “crimes against humanity by… Read moreBolivia: who controls Pando?
The opposition prefect of Bolivia’s eastern Pando department, Leopoldo Fernández, is facing an order for his arrest from the national government following violence at Porvenir, 30 kilometers east of the department’s capital, Cobija, that left 16 dead Sept. 11. Interior… Read moreBolivia: 18 dead in Pando, governor ordered arrested
The US Sept. 12 announced it will expel the Venezuelan ambassador, and declared that Venezuela’s top two intelligence officials have supported “narco-terrorist activities” in the region. The Treasury Department accused the intelligence officials of aiding Colombia’s FARC, “even as it… Read moreUS boots Venezuelan ambassador
Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez told a crowd of thousands of supporters in the city of Puerto Cabello Sept. 11 that he is giving US Ambassador Patrick Duddy 72 hours to leave the country—saying he issued the order in solidarity with… Read moreVenezuela boots US ambassador
Two Russian Tu-16 bombers landed in Venezuela Sept. 10 as part of military maneuvers. President Hugo Chávez said he hopes to “fly one of those things” himself. The maneuvers mark the first time Russian strategic bombers have landed in the… Read moreVenezuela hosts Russian bombers —and Hezbollah?
Bolivia’s President Evo Morales ordered the expulsion of the US ambassador Sept. 10, charging him with inciting violent opposition protests. “The ambassador of the United States is conspiring against democracy and wants Bolivia to break apart,” Morales said at the… Read moreBolivia: US ambassador expelled amid “civil war” fears
Bolivia’s opposition governors in the eastern lowlands Sept. 3 demanded the national government withdraw its forces from Trinidad, the capital of Beni department, accusing them of repression at a youth protest occupation of the National Tax Service offices. The building… Read moreBolivia: eastern governors demand withdrawal of national army
Venezuela Aug. 31 rejected US requests to resume Drug War cooperation, saying Washington should focus on slashing demand for drugs at home rather than blaming setbacks on other nations’ supposed lack of cooperation. “The anti-drug fight in Venezuela has shown… Read moreVenezuela refuses renewed Drug War cooperation
A car bomb exploded early Sept. 1 near the Palace of Justice in Cali, Colombia, killing four and wounding up to 20. The dead were identified as one police officer and three street vendors. Authorities said they suspect the blast… Read moreColombia: deadly car blast in Cali
Venezuelan National Guard troops in Maracaibo Sept. 4 captured fugitive former Colombian senator, CĂ©sar department governor and national agriculture minister Alvaro Araujo Noguera, 75. Araujo Noguera, who had been wanted for a year and a half, is expected to be… Read moreFugitive Colombian para-pol busted in Venezuela
President Hugo Chávez announced a measure to nationalize wholesale gasoline distribution in Venezuela—despite the lobbying of British Petroleum, Exxon Mobil and Chevron, whose local subsidiaries currently control the business. Under the measure, which received initial approval in the National Assembly… Read moreChávez to nationalize oil distro, move towards “Gas Revolution”
