The Andes

Colombia: manhunt for paramilitary warlord

Authorities in Colombia are carrying out a manhunt Dario Antonio Usuga AKA "Otoniel"—the biggest since the campaign that brought down the legendary Pablo Escobar in 1993.

The Andes

Chemical in Colombia spraying called carcinogen

The World Health Organization reclassified the herbicide glyphosate as a cancer threat—big news in Colombia, where the government sprays millions of acres to eradicate coca.

The Andes

Colombia: peace efforts bear (tentative) fruit

Colombians made history as tens of thousands took to the streets in cities and towns nationwide to show their support for peace talks between the government and FARC guerillas.

The Andes

Colombia: peasants detain troops… again

A detachment of some 20 special anti-narcotics agents of the National Police were detained by indigenous peasants at the hamlet of Alto Naya, in Colombia's Cauca region.

The Andes

US troops to Peru’s coca zone

A force of US Marines has been mobilized to Peru's conflicted coca-growing jungle region, the Valley of the Apurímac and Ene Rivers, to assist in interdiction efforts.

The Andes

Caracazo recalled in polarized Venezuela

Official commemorations of the 1989 popular anti-austerity rebellion come amid new protests over economic agony in Venezuela—and regime accusations of a coup conspiracy.

The Andes

Colombia: convictions in Uribe spying scandal

Colombia's supreme court convicted two close aides of former president Alvaro Uribe for illegal eavesdropping on the communications of the conservative leader's top opponents.

The Andes

Colombia: threats mount against victim reps

Victim representatives at peace talks with the FARC rebels held a press conference in Bogotá to demand action from the Colombian government over mounting death threats.

The Andes

Informal miners strike in Colombia

Small-scale gold and emerald miners in Colombia launched a strike, blocking roads at several points across the central department of Antioquia to protest raids on their operations.

The Andes

Peru declares no-fly zone over coca valley

Peru announced a no-fly zone over the conflicted coca-producing region known as the VRAE—reviving a controversial policy that claimed innocent lives 14 years ago.