May 2014 – Page 4 – Upside Down World

Latin America’s LGBTI Movement Celebrates Triumphs, Sets New Goals

May 16, 2014 Ivet González 0

Although it might not seem to be, Latin America is the most active region in the world when it comes to the defense of the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) people. “The most progressive and interesting proposals are emerging in the Americas,” said Mexican activist Gloria Careaga during the sixth Regional Conference of the International Association of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex People for Latin America and the Caribbean (ILGALAC).

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Perpetuating Impunity: Guatemala’s Congress Votes to Deny Genocide

May 15, 2014 Upside Down World 0

On Tuesday, the Guatemalan Congress voted to deny that genocide took place during the country’s 36 year conflict (1960-1996) which left approximately 250,00 people, mainly indigenous Mayans, dead or disappeared. The vote was aimed at […]

ARENA Strategist Takes Fall in Colombian Drug Scandal

May 14, 2014 CISPES 0

Source: CISPES The former campaign advisor to El Salvador’s right-wing Nationalist Republican Alliance (ARENA) party has found himself on the receiving end of a major publicity scandal, the likes of which he is accustomed to […]

Peru: Indigenous Organizations to Present Joint Climate Change Agenda

May 14, 2014 The Unity Pact 0

Source: Servindi Peruvian national indigenous organizations decided to present a joint Indigenous Agenda on Climate Change. The resolution was adopted at a meeting held on Tuesday, May 6 with representatives of the Peruvian State for […]

A Call to Action: Stop the War against the Zapatista Communities

May 14, 2014 Many 0

National Call to Action in Response to attack on Zapatista Community, murder of Zapatista civilians and destruction of school and clinic. WHAT: In response to an armed attack by the CIOAC-H on unarmed Zapatistas in […]

Conflict Over New Bolivian Law Highlights Mining Sector Contradictions

May 13, 2014 Emily Achtenberg 0

Source: NACLA After three years of negotiations, followed by six weeks of sometimes violent controversy, Bolivia is poised to adopt a new mining law. It is the first major overhaul of the country’s mining sector […]

Andrés Carrasco, Argentine Scientist and Activist: A Thank You

May 13, 2014 Darío Aranda, Translated by Danica Jorden 0

Andrés Carrasco chose another path: to question the model of corporations and governments, and he decided to walk with campesinos, fumigated mothers, and peoples in struggle. There was no assembly where he was not mentioned. There are no papers, no scientific magazine, or academic conventions that allows one to go where he went, thanks to his commitment towards the people: Andrés Carrasco already has a place in the living history of those in struggle.

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El Salvador: Blood and Roses on Mother’s Day

May 12, 2014 Erika Brenner 0

“The best thing about Mother’s Day is the appreciation and love the mothers get – and give,” says Sagrario Tejada de González, who is handing out roses on Mother’s Day, celebrated on the 10th of May in El Salvador. “The worst thing for a mother is the fear that her son might get involved in a street gang.”

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Colombian Poor Occupy Lands Slated for Military Base

May 11, 2014 Dawn Paley 0

Holding down an occupation for five months isn’t easy. Doing so in Colombia, even less so. But members of the community of Héctor Alirio Martínez in the municipality of Fortul, near the border with Venezuela, have raised the stakes even higher: they’re occupying land owned by the Ministry of Defense. The 100 hectare terrain now spotted with wood and plastic homes was slated to become a large military base.

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Ecuador: Intag Under Siege

May 11, 2014 Carlos Zorrilla, Translated by Danica Jorden 0

According to several Intag residents, on Thursday, May 8 almost 400 people, including 200-300 police, entered Intag. Part of this group violated a community checkpoint into the Chalguyacu Alto region, where 75 women and men […]