The Andes

Paranoia over Venezuela’s ties to Iran —real and imaginary

Hugo Chávez and the US State Department alike denied claims touted by neocon think-tanks that Iran is establishing missile bases in Venezuela. But the State Department sanctioned Venezuela’s state oil company for aiding Iran’s energy sector.

The Andes

Venezuela disses “dodgy dossier” on FARC ties

Hugo Chávez is playing it cool over a report by the London-based International Institute for Strategic Studies accusing him of collaboration with the FARC guerillas—but Venezuela’s UK embassy dismissed it as a “dodgy dossier.”

The Andes

Bolivia to enshrine “rights of nature” in law

The Bolivian Sentate’s Commission on Natural Resources and Environment announced introduction of a Law of Mother Earth, which would officially enshrine the “rights of nature” in the Andean nation’s legal code.

The Andes

Peru: one dead as strike paralyzes Puno

At least one is reported dead in Peru’s southern region of Puno after the National Police fired on protesters during a civil strike or paro called to demand a halt to local mining and petroleum leases.