Venezuela: protests as cable TV stations ordered closed

Tens of thousands of Venezuelans opposed to Hugo Chávez took to the streets of Caracas, as the government ordered closed six cable TV stations.

Venezuela: stores raided for price gouging following devaluation

Venezuelan soldiers closed dozens of retail outlets for price-gouging after a currency devaluation that triggered a frenzy of shopping but met with favor by international markets.

Peru: high court upholds 25-year prison term for Fujimori

The Peruvian Supreme Court unanimously upheld a 25-year sentence for ex-president Alberto Fujimori for deaths caused by a paramilitary unit during his administration.

Peru: hostage crisis follows Huancas prison revolt

Some 400 prisoners revolted at Huancas prison in the northeastern Peruvian city of Chachapoyas on New Years Eve, taking several guards hostage and seizing part of the facility.

Colombia: who killed Gov. Cuéllar, and why?

Colombian senator Piedad Córdoba asked the FARC to state whether they are responsible for the death of Caquetá governor Luis Francisco Cuéllar, as conspiracy theories abound.

Bolivia: government wants immigrants back

Bolivia is launching incentive programs to encourage nationals living abroad to return to the country, including providing land under the new agrarian reform.

Colombia: FARC blamed in slaying of Caquetá governor

The governor of the southern Colombian department of Caquetá, Luis Francisco Cuellar Carvajal, was found murdered in a minefield a day after being reportedly abducted by the FARC.

Venezuela signs new oil deals with China, imposes power cuts on industry

China’s top national oil companies have signed ambitious new deals with Venezuela—as President Hugo Chávez orders power rationing on domestic industry to avoid blackouts.

Colombia: Peace Community called “FARC haven”

The Wall Street Journal’s Mary Anastasia O’Grady repeats claims from ex-FARC commander that the Peace Community of San José de Apartadó is a “safe haven” for the guerillas.

Colombia: ex-para names US banana companies in murder of trade unionists

Dole and Chiquita paid Colombian paramilitaries to perform protection services that included murdering trade unionists, demobilized para José Gregorio Mongones said in an affidavit.

Colombia: FARC and ELN broach merger

In a statement released on the Internet, Colombia’s two guerilla armies, the FARC and ELN, announced they intend to unite, saying “Our only enemy is North American Imperialism.”

Colombia: attorney and labor leader threatened

Colombian human rights attorney Jorge Eliécer Molano-Rodríguez and labor leader Luis Javier Correa Suárez have both received threats in recent weeks. Solidarity groups call for urgent action.