South America

Venezuela: Bari Indians Speak at Landmark Supreme Court Hearing

Thirteen Bari Indians of the Sierra de Perijá mountains in
western Venezuela attended an historic hearing at the Supreme Court in
Caracas last week, to defend their right to own their ancestral land.

Venezuelan
law guarantees indigenous peoples the right to own their land and the
Constitution stipulates that all indigenous land must be demarcated by
2001. However, the Bari are still waiting for their land title to be
granted.

It was the first time that the Bari have been allowed
to speak at such a hearing, despite having pushed the courts to listen
to them for the past ten years.

At last week’s hearing, a Bari
leader said, "Sabaseba, our god, ordered us to look after our  read more »

CHILE: Stop Treating Community Broadcasters as Criminals, Say Activists

Interpress can be a good source of international news not found elsewhere. -Rick  read more »

Hiring Death Squads Is Coming Back to Haunt U.S. Companies


Dole Foods and Chiquita may be on the verge of facing justice for
'pacifying' their work force, suppressing labor unions and terrorizing
peasant squatters in Colombia.


February 16, 2010  |  
A
federal judge recently refused to dismiss a civil suit filed against
Chiquita which charges that the company paid leftist (FARC) guerrillas  read more »

New row over Colombia-US accord

President Alvaro Uribe

President Uribe's deal with the US has caused concern in the region


Colombian opposition groups have reacted angrily after details of a controversial military deal with the US were made public.

Under
the 10-year deal, the US military will not only have access to military
bases, but also be able to use major international civilian airports.

US personnel and defence contractors will also enjoy diplomatic immunity.  read more »

US Escalates War Build-up Against Latin American Revolution

 

The US State Department and the coup regime in Honduras have publicly
stated what many of us already knew: the June 28 military coup was not
just directed against Honduran President Manuel Zelaya, but also
Venezuela and the unfolding Latin American revolution.  read more »

Disputed Peru land laws suspended

June 10, 2009 BBC

Peru's parliament has suspended two land laws that triggered deadly clashes between police and protesters.

At least 54 people, including some police officers, died after violence erupted on Friday between security forces and indigenous protesters.

The laws are designed to regulate investment in the Amazon, but indigenous groups say they will lose control of their natural resources.

They have been demonstrating for months, blocking roads and waterways.  read more »

Amazon Indians challenge Peru government over land

By FRANKLIN BRICENO and FRANK BAJAK, Associated PressJune 9, 2009

TARAPOTO, Peru – The Aguaruna Indians have a well-earned reputation as warriors. In pre-Columbian times they successfully resisted Inca subjugation. And during Peru's 1995 border war with Ecuador, they served as guides for the army.  read more »

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