Colombia: Awá indigenous people massacred —again

Twelve members of the threatened Awá indigenous group were killed when their community in southern Colombia was invaded by unkown gunmen.

Peru’s García accuses Bolivia of secret pact with Chile in maritime dispute

Peru’s President Alan García accused his Bolivian counterpart of Evo Morales of an “under the table” deal with Chile over the coastline disputed by the three countries.

Peru overtakes Colombia as top cocaine exporter: report

According to a new report, in 2008 Colombia produced 430 tons of cocaine compared to 302 in Peru. But Colombian authorities supposedly intercepted 198 tons compared to only 20 in Peru.

Peru: Montesinos faces 30 years on narco charges

Prosecutors in Peru are seeking a 30-year prison term for Vladimiro Montesinos, former intelligence chief under autocratic president and convicted political criminal Alberto Fujimori.

Press freedom under attack in Peru

A bill introduced in Peru’s congress to ammend the libel law would be a threat to the freedom of press, especially for small and independent outlets, say journalists and other media professionals.

Peru: police use tear gas against Pisco road blockades

Police in Peru fired tear gas to disperse protesters blocking a highway near Pisco. The protesters were denouncing government inaction on helping the southern town rebuild from a 2007 earthquake.

Venezuela and Colombia at brink of war—again?

At the South American summit in Quito, Hugo Chávez warned that the “winds of war are beginning to blow” on the continent—a day after accusing Colombian troops of a border incursion.

Evo Morales to protest Colombian plan for US bases at Quito summit

Bolivia’s Evo Morales announced he will request that South American leaders reject the opening of foreign military bases on the continent at the upcoming Quiot summit.

Bolivia: vanishing glacier threatens La Paz water supply

The 18,000-year-old Chacaltaya glacier overlooking La Paz has vanished six years earlier than scientists predicted, threatening water supplies to the Bolivian capital.

Peru: Sendero hits back against Plan VRAE

Five agents were killed when some 50 Shining Path guerillas attacked a police base in the Ene and Apurimac River Valley (VRAE), where a counter-insurgency operation is underway.

Evo Morales defends anti-imperialist allies

Bolivian President Evo Morales spoke out Aug. 3 in defense of his colleagues Rafael Correa of Ecuador and Hugo Chávez of Venezuela, saying the charges of their links to Colombia’s FARC guerillas are an “montage to discredit revolutionary presidents.” Last… Read moreEvo Morales defends anti-imperialist allies

Bolivia: indigenous peoples move towards autonomy

In a ceremony in eastern Santa Cruz region, President Evo Morales unveiled provisions of the new constitution allowing indigenous communities to vote on instating local rule.