The Andes

Colombia: SOA graduate charged in massacres

After almost 20 years, a former Colombian army officer was sentenced to 44 years in prison for his role in the deaths of over 245 civilians in the Trujillo Massacres between 1986 and 1994.

The Andes

Colombia: another indigenous leader assassinated

Unknown assailants on a motorcycle assassinated Colombian indigenous leader Rodolfo Maya Aricape as he left a community meeting in the hamlet of López Adentro, in violence-torn Cauca department.

The Andes

Bolivia: newspapers protest proposed racism law

Bolivian newspapers engaged in a protest against a proposed anti-racism law they claim would hurt freedom of expression, all running the headline “There is no democracy without freedom of expression.”

The Andes

Seven SOA graduates convicted in Peru

Seven Peruvian SOA graduates were convicted of aggravated murder, kidnapping, forced disappearance, and conspiracy for their roles in two massacres and the murder of a radio journalist.

The Andes

SOA graduate charged in Ecuador coup attempt

Col. Manuel E. Rivadeneira Tello, a School of the Americas graduate, has been charged for last week’s unsuccessful coup attempt in Ecuador. Two other police leaders are under investigation.

The Andes

Venezuela: Chávez announces new land seizures

On the heels of electoral reversals for his ruling party, Venezuela’s President Hugo Chávez announced new land expropriations to benefit the peasants, and called for creation of a popular militia force.

The Andes

Ecuador: army rescues Correa from hospital

Ecuador's military staged a rescue to free President Correa, who was holed up in a hospital for more than 12 hours by a police uprising, putting an end to what Correa characterized as a coup attempt.

The Andes

Coup d’etat underway in Ecuador?

A state of emergency has been declared in Ecuador as the National Police launched a rebellion over cuts to their benefits. President Rafael Correa, who was assaulted by police, warned of a coup attempt.

The Andes

Colombia: peace community faces new threats

The Peace Community of San José de Apartadó, located in the Urabá region of northwestern Colombia, charged that right-wing paramilitaries are continuing to attack and threaten its members.