Bolivia, Ecuador latest to repudiate US anti-drug operations
Christian Science Monitor Nov 10, 08 12:02 PM CST
(Newser)
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Some Latin American countries are pushing back against the US by cutting off DEA operations, the Christian Science Monitor reports. President Evo Morales, saying DEA agents "worked to conduct political espionage," gave them 3 months to leave Bolivia. Ecuador, meanwhile, has refused to renew the US lease on a key airbase, which an American official says creates a "serious gap" in drug-interdiction operations.
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Poor repair job, not recent rains, doomed building, mayor says
Associated Press Nov 7, 08 4:21 PM CST
(Newser)
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At least 30 people, many possibly children, died in Haiti today when a school building collapsed, AP reports. The school, in a village in the hills above Port-au-Prince, experienced a partial collapse in 2000. Before today, the building was under construction, and the town’s mayor said structural problems, not recent rains, were behind the disaster.
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Venezuela's largesse depends on high volume, expense
Christian Science Monitor Oct 20, 08 11:49 AM CDT
(Newser)
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Hugo Chavez’s days as an international sugar daddy may be ending, at least for now. Chavez has made a habit of lavishing gifts on his political allies, but with crude around $70—less than half its peak price—he may not have the wealth to spread, the Christian Science Monitor reports. Oil makes up 90% of Venezuela’s export earnings and more than half its budget.
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UN says too many people on islands is destroying animal habitats
Los Angeles Times Oct 8, 08 9:48 AM CDT
(Newser)
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Ecuador is forcing those without permission to live in the Galapagos to leave, over fears that a growing human population threatens the species that make the islands unique. Even Ecuadorean citizens need special visas to visit the Galapagos, but thousands of mainland migrants have been staying illegally, drawn by high wages and good schools, the Los Angeles Times reports.
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Lawmaker wants women's satisfaction protected by law
BBC May 3, 08 4:28 PM CDT
(Newser)
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Politics are getting steamy in Ecuador these days. Maria Soledad Vela, a member of the nation's ruling party, wants to give Ecuadorian women the right to seek sexual happiness. Her proposal is sparking controversy in the conservative country, where women are traditionally seen as sexual objects or child bearers, the BBC reports.
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Unverified docs reveal activities of Colombian rebels
New York Times Mar 30, 08 3:07 PM CDT
(Newser)
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Colombian officials claim to have computer files captured from its FARC rebels that indicate Venezuela sold arms to the terrorist group, the New York Times reports. If Interpol verifies the files, they would also suggest links between FARC and Ecuador’s government and provide insight into the rebel organization. Colombia nabbed the computers in a raid in Ecuador earlier this month.
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US, studying evidence, won't yet call Chavez
a terror sponsor
Reuters Mar 12, 08 8:50 PM CDT
(Newser)
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Possible links between Hugo Chavez’ Venezuelan government and the Colombian FARC guerrilla group concern Washington, but US officials aren't yet saying the nation will be declared a state sponsor of terrorism, Reuters reports. Colombia said computers seized in a March 1 raid on a FARC base in Ecuador contain evidence that proves Venezuela is aiding the leftist group.
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Ecuador not ready to reconcile after standoff
BBC Mar 10, 08 5:35 AM CDT
(Newser)
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Venezuela will return its diplomats to Colombia after last week’s border crisis was largely resolved at a regional summit. Ecuadorean diplomats say it will take longer for them to return, reports the BBC. Colombian forces killed an important rebel leader inside Ecuador last week, provoking a bristling regional standoff.
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After spat over raid, Colombia, Ecuador make nice with promises for future
Reuters Mar 7, 08 6:55 PM CST
(Newser)
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The threat of war involving Colombia, Ecuador, and Venezuela was diffused today with a bevy of handshakes televised all over Latin America, Reuters reports. Colombian President Alvaro Uribe and his opposite number, Rafael Correa of Ecuador, reached an agreement on combating insurgents in the future; the Colombian military's killing of FARC rebels in Ecuador last weekend sparked the crisis.
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Ortega, citing 'political terrorism,' follows lead of Ecuador, Venezuela
BBC Mar 6, 08 7:05 PM CST
(Newser)
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Nicaragua cut diplomatic ties with Bogota today, ratcheting up the political tension in the wake of Colombia's raid into Ecuador to kill rebels, the BBC reports. Calling Sunday's incursion an act of "political terrorism," President Daniel Ortega followed the lead of Ecuador and Venezuela, which have already severed relations and moved troops along the Colombian border.
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Tanks, aircraft deployed as standoff escalates
Reuters Mar 5, 08 2:28 PM CST
(Newser)
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Venezuela deployed tanks to the Colombian border, Reuters reports, as Latin American tensions remained high enough that Hugo Chavez warned of an Andean war. Though Colombia refused to send reinforcements to its border, the mobilization of heavy artillery, including support from air and sea forces, is the first in the standoff following Colombia's weekend incursion into Ecuador to killFARC rebels.
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Bush to Colombia: We're with you
Reuters Mar 5, 08 7:07 AM CST
(Newser)
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Ecuador's president, Rafael Correa, is in Brazil today, pushing for an apology from Colombia for its incursion into Ecuador to attack FARC guerrillas Saturday. While most Latin American nations, including Brazil, have condemned the cross-border attack, the White House yesterday unequivocally backed Colombia in the rapidly escalating crisis. Correa heads later today to Caracas to meet with Hugo Chavez who, like Correa, has massed troops on the border with Colombia.
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Ecuador cuts ties, says slain rebel leader was key in hostage deal
BBC Mar 4, 08 11:35 AM CST
(Newser)
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Colombia has accused Ecuador and Venezuela of cooperating with FARC guerrillas who were trying to buy uranium, the BBC reports, even as Ecuador cut ties with Colombia and Venezuela expelled its diplomats. “FARC is taking big steps in the world of terrorism to become a global aggressor,” said Colombia’s top cop, citing documents found during Saturday’s raid that detailed negotiations for 110 pounds of uranium.
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