There is no resolution in sight for the Chilean indigenous Mapuche hunger strike. On Day 75, the health of the 34 prisoners is in danger. Eight have been hospitalized, with one needing surgery for appendicitis.
by COHA Research Associate Geoff LeGrand - Under President Hugo Chávez, Venezuela has been no stranger to controversy. However, one of Chávez’s proposals has evoked particularly strong emotions – the establishment of socialist communes (comunas socialistas) throughout the country. The proposed commune law (ley orgánica de las comunas) would further expand and institutionalize Venezuela’s system of communal councils – local municipal governing bodies that are ruled by neighborhood leaders using state funds to finance social projects in their communities.
Last September 17 and for two days the ozone layer hole recorded a minor event over the city of Punta Arenas in the extreme south of Chile, although not sufficiently weak as to have recorded an increase in potentially dangerous ultraviolet radiation.
A Mexican photographer who documented his country's drug war and an Argentine reporter who wrote about identifying the victims of Argentina's military dictatorship were awarded this week one of Latin America's most prestigious journalism awards.
The number two leader of the Colombian FARC guerrilla group has been killed in a military raid, President Juan Manuel Santos said Thursday. Victor Julio Suarez Rojas, also known as Jorge Briceño Suarez and by his nom de guerre Mono Jojoy, was the military leader for the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia.
Santos called the rebel leader's death a historic event.
The Venezuelan opposition is certain to make gains in Sunday’s legislative elections but not enough to wrest legislative control from President Hugo Chavez in the 12th year of his socialist revolution.
President Raul Castro sacked his energy and resources minister, the last remaining minister from his brother Fidel cabinet. Minister for basic industry, Yadira Garcia, was fired late Sunday for shortcomings, specifically exerting weak control over resources set aside for investment and production, an official declaration read on state television said.
The Venezuelan opposition has called the electorate to vote “without fear” on next Sunday's elections, where some 17.7 million voters are eligible to cast their ballots to renew the 165 seats in the National Assembly.
Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez called on his followers to see next Sunday’s legislative election as a “battle” that needs to ensure the government’s majority in the National Assembly.
“We’re soldiers in battle…this is the final offensive”, said the Venezuelan leader.
After a lack of agreement in Chile over the extradition of ex guerrilla member Sergio Apablaza, Argentina President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner said that the meeting held with President Sebastián Piñera was an “excellent” one, during declarations made to seemingly minimize the situation.