The Andes

Colombia president: peace law constitutional

Colombia’s President Santos intervened in a hearing of the Constitutional Court to defend the Framework for Peace, the law that brought about peace talks with the FARC rebels. 

The Andes

Colombia: strikes halt US coal giant Drummond

Indefinite strikes brought Drummond’s coal mining operations to a halt in Colombia, putting further pressure on the country’s economy amid a growing wave of labor actions. 

The Andes

Colombia: top neo-para commander escapes

A former commander of Colombian neo-paramilitary group Los Paisas, implicated in massacres, escaped after armed men ambushed the van he was being transported in. 

The Andes

Colombia: two dead in eradication protests

Following two weeks of escalating protests by local campesinos, two were killed as National Police troops opened fire at Ocaña in Colombia’s Norte de Santander department.

Mexico

‘Drug war’ dissent at OAS summit

More than 160 civil society organizations sent an open letter to the OAS summit, calling for alternatives to the “war on drugs” that guarantee respect for human rights.

The Andes

US drug case reveals DEA paid Colombia police

Two Colombian drug defendants were allowed to cop a plea after revelations that prosecution withheld information of ongoing DEA payments to Colombia’s National Police.