Africa
South Africa: two dead in water riots
Two were killed as South African police fired on protesters at the townships of Mothotlung and Damonsville, where residents are angry at having been without water for a week.
Tag: control of water
Southern Cone
Chile: Mapuche environmental activist dies
Chilean indigenous activist Nicolasa Quintreman apparently drowned after falling into the reservoir of the dam whose construction she protested for 10 years.
The Andes
Colombia: ecologists cut off talks on alpine mining
Residents in high Andean communities of northern Colombian broke off talks with the government aimed at securing consent for mining in the sensitive Páramo de Santurbán.
Central America
Panama, Nicaragua canal plans stalled
Amid multiple legal challenges, Nicaragua's interoceanic canal project could be delayed for a year, while the rival Panama Canal expansion faces massive cost overruns.
Mexico
Chiapas: localities declare against mines, hydro
Eight municipalities in southern Mexico's Chiapas state were declared territories free of mineral or hydro-electric development, asserting principles of local autonomy.
The Andes
Colombia: campesinos mobilize for land, water
Campesinos across Colombia continue to press demands for return of lands usurped by paramilitaries—despite conitnued death threats and legal persecution.
The Andes
Cajamarca: Conga occupation not moved
Campesinos in Peru’s Cajamarca region announced a new cross-country march that will bring hundreds of new protesters to the occupation camp at the Conga mine site.
The Andes
Cuzco: unrest over water mega-diversion
National Police clashed with villagers at Espinar province in Cuzco, as residents declared a "war footing" to halt construction of the Majes Siguas II irrigation mega-project.
The Andes
Bolivia ready for nuclear power: Evo Morales
At a “Hydrocarbon Sovereignty” conference in Tarija, Bolivia’s President Evo Morales said his country has achieved the conditions to obtain nuclear power for “pacific ends.”
Southern Cone
Chile: Barrick suspends Pascua Lama construction
As costs rise and gold prices fall, Barrick Gold is starting to reconsider its plan to build the world’s biggest gold mine 16,400 feet in the air.
The Andes
Bolivia: indigenous power at issue in hunger strike
Six dissident Aymara leaders held a hunger strike at the doors of the Bolivian congress building as lawmakers debated a bill on assigning legislative seats to ethnicities and regions.
Central America
Honduras indigenous leader’s detention challenged
Legal advocates are appealing to international bodies to block the detention of an indigenous leader whose crime seems to be supporting anti-dam protests.