The Andes

Peru: water authority rejects mine expansion

Peru’s conflict-ridden Yanacocha mining company is appealing a ruling of  the National Water Authority barring expansion of its open-pit operations into new lands.

The Andes

Bolivia: indigenous demand autonomy from state

Bolivia’s Aymara indigenous alliance CONAMAQ is charging that the ruling Movement to Socialism is seeking to divide their organization, warning of a potential for violence. 

The Andes

Peru: miners block Pan-American Highway

Informal miners in Peru’s Arequipa region declared an open-ended civil strike, blocking the Pan-American Highway at various points before being cleared by the National Police. 

The Andes

Peru: Uchuraccay massacre recalled

Peru’s Press Association recalled the 1983 massacre of eight journalists at the Andean village of Uchuraccay, where they themselves were investigating reports of massacres.

The Andes

Colombia: FARC assassinate indigenous leader

A Nasa indigenous leader was assassinated in an ambush by FARC guerillas at the village of Jámbalo, Cauca department, just as the rebels announced an end to their ceasefire.

The Andes

Peru: new mobilization against Conga project

Campesinos in Peru’s northern Cajamarca region began the year with a renewed campaign against the pending Conga mining project, pledging to occupy the concession area.

The Andes

DEA back to Venezuela?

In the first sign of a thaw in relations between the US and Venezuela, Caracas is weighing a request from Washington to allow a return of DEA officials to the South American country.

The Andes

Colombia: ELN abducts gold prospectors

Guerillas of Colombia’s National Liberation Army (ELN) abducted five gold prospectors working for a Canadian company on an exploratory mission in Bolívar department.

The Andes

Colombia: FARC ends unilateral ceasefire

Colombia’s FARC rebels announced the immediate end of a two-month unilateral ceasefire and renewed its call for a bilateral truce to hold peace talks with the government.

The Andes

Bolivia wins coca-chewing victory at UN

Bolivia was re-admitted to the UN Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs —with a special dispensation recognizing traditional use of coca leaf as legal within its borders.