The Andes
Peasant strike rocks Colombia
Campesinos launched a strike across Colombia, with some 100,000 blocking highways and effectively shutting down at least half of the country's 32 departments.
Tag: mining
The Andes
Anti-gang ‘mega-raids’ in crisis-hit Venezuela
As Venezuela lurches deeper into political crisis, President Maduro launches a new phase in his controversial "Operation Liberate the People" security program.
Southern Cone
Anti-mining protests shut down in Argentina
On Argentina's Revolution Day, townspeople in Jáchal held a "patriotic march" to oppose the local operations of Barrick Gold—only to be surrounded and arrested by the police.
The Amazon
Peru: state of emergency over illegal mining
Peru's President Ollanta Humala declared a state of emergency in the rainforest region of Madre de Dios following reports of mercury poisoning by outlaw gold-mining operations.
Planet Watch
International direct action against fossil fuel
Police arrested 65 protesters, many in kayaks, who shut down Australia's biggest coal export terminal as part of a global direct action campaign against fossil fuels.
The Andes
Afro-Colombian anti-mining protests repressed
Afro-Colombian protesters blocking the Pan-American Highway in southern Cauca region to protest illegal mining on their lands were violently dispersed by the riot police.
Central America
Guatemalans march on capital for water rights
Thousands converged on Guatemala City on Earth Day, the culmination of a cross-country march by peasants and popular organizations to demand local rights over access to water.
Planet Watch
De Beers pressured in First Nation suicide crisis
De Beers operates a diamond mine on lands of northern Ontario's suicide-striken Cree community of Attawapiskat—where it pays a pittance in royalties despite record profits.
The Andes
Peru: peasant mine opponent wins Goldman Prize
Maxima Acuña, a campesina from Peru's Cajamarca region, was awarded a 2016 Goldman Environmental Prize for her struggle to defend her family lands from Newmont Mining.
The Andes
Peru elections: ‘dangerous farce’?
Far-right Keiko Fujimori is headed for the second round in a Peruvian presidential race so marked by controversies and irregularities that The Economist calls it a "dangerous farce."
Africa
Mining fuels renewed Darfur conflict
Russia is blocking release of an internal UN report that apparently shows how pro-government militias in Darfur are making some $54 million per year in gold mining.
South Asia
Bangladesh: deadly repression of anti-coal protest
Police opened fire on peasant protestors at the site of a coal-fired power plant project in the Chittagong district of Bangladesh, killing at least four.