Tag: The Andes

The Andes

Millions of Venezuelans reject constitution rewrite

VenezuelaMillions of Venezuelans voted to reject President Nicolás Maduro's plan to rewrite the nation's constitution. The non-binding referendum was organized by the country's political opposition. More than 7 million, roughly one-third of Venezuela's registered voters, took part, with over 98% rejecting Maduro's plan. Opponents charge that the plan to rewrite the 1999 constitution represents an effort to consolidate Maduro's hold on power. There was a deadly attack on one polling place in Caracas.

The Andes

Colombia: still more ‘consultas’ reject extractivism

ColombiaMore localities in Colombia are formally rejecting mineral and oil exploitation within their territories through popular consultas (consultations, or referenda), in a growing challenge to extractive industries in the country. Two victories were reported as "no" votes prevailed overwhelmingly in the municipalities of Arbeláez, Cundinamarca department, and Pijao, Quindío. Celebrations broke out in the streets as the results were announced.

The Andes

Colombia pressured to release FARC prisoners

ColombiaThe United Nations charged that Colombia's government is undermining the country's peace process by failing to release imprisoned FARC members and protect disarmed guerillas as promised in the peace deal. Although mores of the 3,400 imprisoned FARC adherents have been officially amnestied, only 837 have been released. More than 1,400 imprisoned FARC members have gone on hunger strike to demand their release. Meanwhile, even released FARC veterans are being targeted for deadly reprisal attacks by right-wing paramilitaries.

The Andes

Maduro invokes ‘Gran Colombia’ nostalgia

Venezuela's Nicolas Maduro jacked up tensions with Colombia, telling counterpart President Santos, "Bow down to me, I am your father"—an invocation of Simón Bolívar's rule over both lands. 

The Andes

Peru: mass mobilization against Fujimori pardon

Thousands marched in Lima to demand that Peru's President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski not pardon ex-strongman Alberto Fujimori, now serving a 25-year term for human rights violations.

The Andes

Colombia: high court upholds indigenous justice

Colombia's Supreme Court nullified a prison term imposed on an indigenous leader for the detention and flogging of an army soldier who had entered his people's territory in 2008.

The Andes

Colombia: push to resume glyphosate spraying

A new ruling by Colombia's top court may open the way for a resumption of glyphosate spraying to wipe out coca crops, which was suspended in 2015 due to health concerns.

The Andes

Colombia: paramilitaries behind Bogotá terror?

Both the FARC and ELN guerillas denied responsibility for the deadly terror attack in Bogotá, but National Police had warned of an imminent provocation by right-wing paramilitaries.