Indigenous People Rising
By JAMES COCKCROFT - November 28-30, 2008
Indigenous peoples in Indo-Afro-Latin America, especially Bolivia and Ecuador, are rising up to take control of their own lives and act in solidarity with others to save the planet. They are calling for new, yet ancient, practices of plurinational, participatory, and intercultural democracy. They champion ecologically sustainable development; community-based autonomies; and solidarity with other peoples locally, regionally, and internationally...Their values are often different than those of the United States or Europe. One indigenous leader has stated: “We give what money we have not to banks to collect interest but to others – and their gratitude is the interest we receive.”
Obama and Latin America: What He Really Promises
By Diana Barahona - Upside Down World
Barack Obama seems to be oblivious to the sea change in Latin America, portraying the advance of the left as a threat which came about through the incompetence of the Bush administration, who allowed a "dangerous demagogue" like Hugo Chavez to rise to power.
Latin American and Caribbean Unity
By Noam Chomsky - Znet
Regional integration of the kind that has been slowly proceeding for several years is a crucial prerequisite for independence, making it more difficult for the master of the hemisphere to pick off countries one by one. For that reason it is causing considerable distress in Washington, and is either ignored or regularly distorted in the media and other elite commentary.
Russia Builds Ties in Latin America to Challenge U.S.
By Henry Meyer - September 18, 2008
Russia is playing its most active role in [Latin America] since the Soviet era, in a challenge to the U.S. in its traditional backyard..."We're increasing our presence in Latin America -- the countries in the region themselves want this," said Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman Igor Lyakin-Frolov. "There's a big power in the north. They need a counterweight," he said...referring to the U.S.
Venezuela: Growing Evidence of New Coup Plot
Federico Fuentes
Four retired and one active Venezuelan military officials have been arrested, a further 33 questioned and the US ambassador expelled in the wake of the September 10 revelation of a planned coup and assassination attempt against President Hugo Chavez.
The Machine Gun and The Meeting Table: Bolivian Crisis in a New South America
By Ben Dangl - September 17, 2008
The recent conflict in Bolivia and the subsequent meeting of [South American] presidents raise the questions: What led to this meltdown? Whose side is the Bolivian military on? And what does the Bolivian crisis and regional reaction tell us about the new power bloc of South American nations?
Peru Suspends Civil Liberties as Indigenous Struggle for Their Land
Oread Daily
The government of Peru suspended civil liberties following clashes between indigenous Peruvians and police. The action is taking place in remote jungle regions where Indian groups are blocking highways and oil and gas installations. The recently signed Free Trade Agreement with the United States and a number of draft laws in the legislature all allow for the easy commercial exploitation of indigenous territories.
Colombia: ICC Investigates Extraditions to US
Dawn Paley
The International Criminal Court is sending Argentine attorney Luís Moreno to Colombia to investigate the extradition of paramilitary bosses from Colombia to the US.
Morales to Push Bolivian Reforms After Winning Vote
LA PAZ - Bolivian President Evo Morales was Monday preparing a redoubled nationalization push and other socialist reforms after winning huge support in a weekend referendum. But his victory in Sunday’s vote, with more than 60 percent of voters backing his mandate according to unofficial results, was tempered by strong gains also handed to political enemies, leaving the country sharply divided.
Indigenous Community in Argentina Votes to Ban Canadian Mine
July 21, 2008 | Intercontinental Cry
The Indigenous Municipality of Tilcara, in northern Argentina’s Quebrada de Humahuaca district, has ratified legislation that prohibits open-pit metal mining...
"...what Rome Resources cannot do in their country of origin, their subsidiary Uranio AG and Uranios del Sur, will attempt to do in...[Argentina]."
Stephen Harper's Free Trade Mantra: Hush, Rush, and Sign
By Dawn Paley - July, 02 2008
Will Canadians stand by and allow the Harper government to ratify a Free Trade agreement with Colombia, where 24 unionists were killed and four disappeared in the first 4 months of 2008, so that Canadian mining and oil companies can make more money? Or will Canadians stand up in defence of life and speak out against these agreements, negotiated with one of the most repressive regimes in the hemisphere and in their names but without their consent?
Spinning the News: The FARC-EP Files, Venezuela and Interpol
Information from Colombian-seized FARC-EP files appears to be fake.
Seinforma Canada Headlines/Titulares Seinforma Canada
Headlines from Latin American News/Noticias de Latinoamérica
Bush and Uribe v. Chavez and Correa
Call it another salvo in Bush v. Chavez with Ecuador's Raphael Correa as a secondary target and Colombia's Alvaro Uribe as a proxy aggressor.
Burma's Monks Stand Defiant
Armed with nothing more than absolute faith, a robe and slippers Buddhist Monks have made their position known about the Constitutional Referendum. The stakes are very high. Knowing and surviving the consequences of September’s protest monks stand defiant and have gone on the offensive regardless of the risks.