Peru: five killed in market vendor protest

A confrontation between police agents and market vendors in Piura, capital of Peru’s northwestern Piura province, resulted in the deaths of at least five civilians.

Ecuador: indigenous movement calls national uprising

Following an “extraordinary assembly,” the Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador (CONAIE) called for an “uprising” to press demands for a “pluri-national state.”

Spain: judge accuses Venezuela in FARC-ETA assassination plot

A Spanish judge accused the Venezuelan government of aiding two rebel groups—Spain’s ETA and Colombia’s FARC—in a plot to assassinate Colombia’s president in Spain.

China enters free trade deal with Peru

The China-Peru FTA took effect, calling for phasing out tariffs on 90% of goods exchanged between the two nations. Peruvian minerals are critical to the pact.

Colombian re-election referendum unconstitutional: court

Colombia’s Constitutional Court voted down the proposed referendum to allow President Alvaro Uribe to run for a third term, calling the idea “unconstitutional in its entirety.”

Venezuela: rights chief disputes critical OAS report

Venezuela’s top human rights official criticized a new OAS report which is harshly critical of the Hugo Chávez government. Gabriela Ramírez said rights have actually improved.

Coca production down in South America, up in Peru: UN

The UN International Narcotics Control Board finds an 8% decrease in overall coca production in South America last year—but a 45% increase in Peru.

Colombia: indigenous communities targeted in war —again

Indigenous peoples are once again caught in the middle as the Colombian army launches a major offensive against the FARC guerillas in the southern Andean department of Cauca.

Venezuela: Chávez unveils Campesino Militia

Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez announced the creation of a new Campesino Militia, which will be under the command of the national Bolivarian Armed Forces (FAB).

Bolivia: Evo Morales launches “decolonization of judiciary”

Bolivian President Evo Morales appointed 18 judges ahead of the country’s judicial elections, calling the move “the beginning of the decolonization of the judiciary.”

Colombia: deadly FARC ambush on gubernatorial candidate

Gubernatorial candidate José Pérez Restrepo in Colombia’s Guaviare department was wounded and three of his bodyguards killed when presumed FARC guerillas attacked his caravan.

Bolivia to launch Coca Colla —this one is really the real thing

Bolivia’s Evo Morales plans to put the coca back in cola with a new coca-infused drink dubbed Coca Colla—the last word being a reference to the country’s Aymara indigenous people.