The Andes
Colombia: ELN to join peace talks?
Colombia’s peace advocates are calling for inclusion of the ELN guerillas in the Havana dialogue with the FARC, warning of a “marginalized” front in the civil war.
Tag: narco wars
Central America
MedellÃn’s ‘top crime boss’ arrested in Panama
Panama announced the arrest of the top leader of the Oficina de Envigado, a Colombian crime syndicate said to be a surviving remnant of Pablo Escobar's notorious Medellín Cartel.
Mexico
Mexico: Chapo goon popped —but still not Chapo
The Mexican military announced the capture of “El Fantasma,” yet another accused lieutenant of fugitive Sinaloa Cartel kingpin Joaquin Guzmán AKA “El Chapo.”
South Asia
India: Naxalite hand in opium trade?
Authorities in India say that the Naxalite guerillas, following a series of reversals, have taken refuge in the northeast, where they are trading opium for guns from Burma.
Southeast Asia
Burma: Kachin rebels agree to peace talks
With fighting escalating after a 17-year ceasefire broke down last year, Burma’s Kachin Independence Army (KIA) has agreed to talks with the government.
Afghanistan
US blacklists Afghan airline for opium trafficking
One of Afghanistan’s top airlines has been officially blacklisted by US authorities for allegedly trafficking opium on civilian flights. The Kabul regime is demanding evidence.
Mexico
Mexico: campesinos bear arms against narcos
Cmpesinos in Mexico’s southern Guerrero state have taken up arms to defend themselves from drug-trafficking gangs that terrorize residents and demand protection payments.
The Andes
Colombia: prosecutor’s transfer sparks outcry
Jurists in Medellín are protesting the decision by Colombia's prosecutor to transfer attorney Patricia Hernández, who has spent years working against local paramilitaries.
Mexico
Mexico: victims’ movement calls for US gun control
54,558 people have signed a letter calling on US President Obama and other officials to stop the flow of smuggled firearms from the US to Mexican drug gangs.
Mexico
Mexico: US to train commandos for ‘drug war’
A US Special Operations group is set to train Mexican commandos to fight drug traffickers with the techniques the US military has used to fight in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Central America
Honduras: deadly DEA raid —again
A suspected drug trafficker was killed in the first DEA-backed drug raid in Honduras following a five-month suspension in radar intelligence sharing between the countries.
The Andes
DEA back to Venezuela?
In the first sign of a thaw in relations between the US and Venezuela, Caracas is weighing a request from Washington to allow a return of DEA officials to the South American country.