Arrest of Immigrant in Texas Church was Godless Act

ICE Agent Likely Violated Agency Rules, Leaked Memo Shows

By Bill Conroy
Via the NarcoSphere

March 1, 2009

Change and Regime Change

What the 2008 Democratic Landslide Means for the National Endowment for Democracy

By James Jordan
Co-Coordinator for the Respect for Democracy Campaign

March 1, 2009

DEA’s Operation Xcellerator is Another Justice Department Dog and Pony Show

Despite the “Largest and Hardest Hitting Operation to Ever Target” the Sinaloa Cartel, the DEA is Merely Treading Water in the War on Drugs

By Kristin Bricker
Via the NarcoSphere

February 28, 2009

Plan Mexico is Back in Congress

House Passes 2009 Plan Mexico Funding Despite Mexico’s Failure to Comply with the 2008 Funding’s Human Rights Conditions

By Kristin Bricker
Via the NarcoSphere

February 26, 2009

Mexican Defense Secretary Opposes Civilian Trials for Military Human Rights Abusers

Tribunals -vs- Civilian Courts for Members of the Military Accused of Human Rights Violations Takes Center Stage in Mexico’s Drug War

By Kristin Bricker
Via the NarcoSphere

February 25, 2009

A Second Look at the EZLN’s Festival of Dignified Rage

Response to John Ross’ Claims in “Commodifying the Revolution”

By Hilary Klein
Special to The Narco News Bulletin

February 23, 2009

Greenberg Accuses Penn of Cooking Polls (and Why the Claim Is Credible)

Charges that Pollster Mark Penn “Rigged” Data in the 2005 British Election are Supported by Reports that He Did the Same in Venezuela in 2004

By Al Giordano
Special to The Narco News Bulletin

February 23, 2009

Prosecutor Claims Iran-Contra Whistleblower is a “Danger” to Society

Federal Judge Furgeson Extended Castillo’s Report to Prison Date Until July to Decide if He Should Remain Free Through the Appeal Process

By Bill Conroy
Via the NarcoSphere

February 22, 2009

Geographic Survey Project of the Sierra Juarez Mountains Stirs Protests

In Oaxaca, Geographers Deny Surveillance Charges

By Nancy Davies
Commentary from Oaxaca

February 21, 2009

Announcing Two Scholarships in Journalism and Organizing

Applications Due March 15 to Be Eligible for Free Attendance at the April 24-26 Workshop at the Rowe Conference Center in Massachusetts

By Al Giordano
President, The School of Authentic Journalism

February 19, 2009

State Department Calls Bolivian and Venezuelan Referendums “Democratic”

A New Attitude in the White House?

By Laura Carlsen
Americas Program

February 18, 2009

Two Steps Back for Human Rights in Colombia

“New” Colombian Army Unit Bombards, Pillages Elementary School in Catatumbo Region

By Andrew Willis Garcés
Special to The Narco News Bulletin

February 17, 2009

Drug War Horror Story is Only a Seam in a Complex Fabric

The Media Narrative Too Often Presents a Simplistic View of the Violence and Misery on the Border While Ignoring its Complexities

By Bill Conroy
Via the NarcoSphere

en español... El horror de la Guerra de la droga

February 13, 2009

The Drug War Wall Begins to Fall

From Washington, Vienna, Rio de Janeiro, Seattle and South Carolina, a Convergence into a Mighty River of Reform

By Al Giordano
Special to The Narco News Bulletin

February 11, 2009

Drugs and Democracy: Toward a Paradigm Shift

“Current drug repression policies are firmly rooted in prejudices, fears and ideological visions. The whole issue has become taboo which inhibits public debate”

By Presidents César Gaviria, Ernesto Zedillo, Fernando Enrique Cardoso and others
Latin American Commission on Drugs and Democracy

en español... Drogas y Democracia: Hacia un Cambio de Paradigma
em português... Drogas e Democracia: Rumo a uma Mudança de Paradigma

February 11, 2009

Mariano Herran Salvatti, Former Mexican Drug Tsar and Chiapas Attorney General, Arrested

Herran Salvatti Boasts a Public Service Career Allegedly Filled with Embezzlement, Drug Money, Human Rights Violations, and Impunity

By Kristin Bricker
Via the NarcoSphere

February 8, 2009

White House: DEA Raids in Medical Marijuana States Will Stop

“Federal resources should not be used to circumvent state laws,” responds Obama spokesman Nick Shapiro

By Al Giordano
The Field

February 6, 2009

The Big Picture in Oaxaca

In 2009 Resistance Increases as Teachers Union Section 22 Comes out “in Defense of the People, and Against Privatization”

By Nancy Davies
Commentary from Oaxaca

February 6, 2009

Mexico Presents Flawed Theory in Shooting Death of American Journalist

A Firearms and Tool Marks Examiner Detected a Red Substance, on the Surface of One of the Bullets Consistent with a Ricochet

By PHR Press Release
Physicians for Human Rights

en español... México presenta teoría inconsistente en la muerte de periodista norteamericano

February 4, 2009

US Considers February 15 Referendum "an Internal Matter" for Venezuela

During Tuesday's US State Department Press Briefing, the New Administration Made Its First Official Policy Statement on Venezuela

By Al Giordano
Via the Narcosphere

en español... Estados Unidos Considera el Referéndum del 15 de Febrero: “un asunto interno” de Venezuela

February 3, 2009

US Sentencing Guidelines, an Update

The Supreme Court has Reassured Federal Judges for Years that Sentencing Guidelines Are not Mandatory, yet the Application of Harsh Drug Sentences Continue

By Nora Callahan
Via the NarcoSphere

February 3, 2009

Geo-Piracy in Oaxaca... and Much More

US Academics Are Mapping Resources in Mexico; Corporations and the US Military Are the Beneficiaries of the Data

By Silvia Ribeiro
La Jornada

en español... Geopiratería en Oaxaca… y mucho más

February 3, 2009

US Newspaper Editors Downplaying Colombia's Abuses, Amplifying Venezuela's

"Venezuela is by every measure a safer place than Colombia to live, vote, organize unions and political groups, speak out against the government or practice journalism"

By Steve Rendall, Daniel Ward and Tess Hall
Fairness & Accuracy In Reporting (FAIR)

February 2, 2009

Chavez Condemns Synagogue Attack, Blames Opposition

"You have to ask yourself who does this benefit? And why is the government immediately blamed?"

By David Cancel
Bloomberg news agency

February 2, 2009

Bolivia: Land Reform on the Horizon

Bolivians Voted to Limit the Size of Land Purchases and now the Government Must Move to Reclassify Rural Lands

By Erin Rosa
Special to The Narco News Bulletin

February 2, 2009

Iran/Contra Whistleblower Increasingly Looks Like a Framed Man

Case Against Cele Castillo Gets Weaker and Weaker as More Details are Revealed

By Bill Conroy
Via the Narcosphere

February 2, 2009

Interview with John Gibler over His New Book, Mexico Unconquered

Gibler Sits Down with Narco News Before He Begins West Coast Book Tour

By Kristin Bricker
Via the Narcosphere

February 1, 2009

Conquering Inevitability: A Review of John Gibler's Mexico Unconquered

The Book Argues that Mexico Has Never Fully Been Conquered and the People Have Been in a "Constant State of Rebellion"

By Kristin Bricker
Via the Narcosphere

en español... El nuevo libro de John Gibler: “Mexico Unconquered: Chronicles of Power and Revolt” llegó recientemente a las librerías

February 1, 2009

Whistleblower Rights Legislation Signals Changing of the Guard

The Proposed Amendment Will Help Provide Better Protections, but Requires Strengthening in Order to Safeguard Democracy

By Bill Conroy
Via the NarcoSphere

January 30, 2009

Welcome Back, Samantha Power

The Human Rights Doctrine Comes to the White House with Her, Back from Exile

By Al Giordano
The Field

January 30, 2009

NAFTA Commission Gets GM Corn Complaint

Genetically-Modified Seed Corn Illegally Planted in Chihuahua

By Frontera NorteSur
Newspaper Tree - El Paso Magazine

January 29, 2009

Bolivia’s Government Begins to Implement New Constitution

President Evo Morales Reaches Out to Opposition, Moves to Create Ministry to Manage Indigenous Autonomy

By Erin Rosa
Special to The Narco News Bulletin

January 29, 2009

Prominent APPO Member Survives Attempted Murder in Oaxaca

Unknown Assailant Stabbed Long-Time Activist Ruben Valencia Nuñez in a Café After Shouting Disparaging Remarks About the APPO

By Kristin Bricker
Via the NarcoSphere

en español... Atentado Contra APPista Destacado en Oaxaca

January 28, 2009

Change Haiti Can Believe In

“Their hopes are grounded not just in President Obama’s promise, but in their own country’s brief, but successful, experiment with democracy from 1994 to 2004”

By Paul Farmer and Brian Concannon
The Boston Globe

January 27, 2009

"We Believe It Is Time for the US to Change Its Foreign Policy Toward Cuba"

An Open Letter to US President Barack Obama

By the Editorial Board
Cigar Aficionado magazine, New York

January 26, 2009

Vigilante Groups Appear in Five Mexican States

State and Federal Authorities Have Detected at Least a Dozen “Expressions” of This Sort

By Diego Enrique Osorno
Milenio

en español... En cinco entidades, grupos justicieros

January 26, 2009

Bolivia Voters Say “Yes” to New Constitution

Turnout Estimated at 3.8 Million, With at Least 60 Percent in Favor

By Erin Rosa
Special to The Narco News Bulletin

January 26, 2009

Mexico Grants Appeal to Juan Manuel Martinez Moreno in Brad Will Murder Case

The APPO Activist Accused of Murdering the US Indymedia Journalist Remains in Jail Despite His “Unconstitutional” Imprisonment

By Pedro Matias
Noticias de Oaxaca

en español... Federación concede amparo a Juan Manuel Martínez Moreno

January 24, 2009

Bolivia Votes Sunday on a New Constitution that Affirms Indigenous Rights

Approval Would Create New Autonomies but Social Movements Say It Doesn’t Go Far Enough to Nationalize Water and Other Resources

By Erin Rosa
Special to The Narco News Bulletin

January 24, 2009

Mexican Armed Forces Will Manage Merida Initiative Planes

The Equipment Required an Investment of $99 Million Dollars

By NTMX - Mexican News Agency
Notimex

en español... Administrarán Fuerzas Armadas mexicanas aviones de Iniciativa Mérida

January 23, 2009

Venezuela's Chávez Warms to Obama

"He is a man with good intentions; he has immediately eliminated Guantanamo prison, and that should be applauded"

By Brian Ellsworth
Reuters

January 23, 2009

Bolivia: Constitutional Referendum Now in Voters' Hands

On the last day of campaigning, and three years after taking office, Bolivian President Evo Morales speaks in Cochabamba

By Erin Rosa
Special to the Narco News Bulletin

January 23, 2009

El Salvador: Legislative and Municipal Elections Conducted with Flaws

Political Parties Were Seen Transporting Voters from One Municipality to More Strategic Municipalities, as Well as Other Irregularities Raising Concerns About the Voting Process

By Alexandria Soleil and Maggie Von Vogt
Special to The Narco News Bulletin

January 21, 2009

The Freedom of Information Act is Back

Memorandum for the Heads of Executive Departments and Agencies

By Barack Obama
President of the United States

January 21, 2009

Bolivia: “We are waiting for an improvement to our relations with the United States”

Chancellor David Choquehuanca announces, “The message from Barack Obama giving importance to Latin America is encouraging”

By Erin Rosa
Special to the Narco News Bulletin

January 21, 2009

The Organizing of the President: An Action Plan

The Rowe Conference Center in Massachusetts Will Host a Weekend Training with Al Giordano on April 24 - 26

By Al Giordano
The Field

January 21, 2009

Chavez Warns that Obama “Repeats Bush’s Discourse Against Venezuela”

President Chavez said that independent of the US internal situation, “this worries us. Right here, right now, I’m putting it out there...he [Obama] threw a stone at me...multiple stones.”

By TeleSur
Latin America

en español... Chávez advierte que Obama “repite discurso de Bush contra Venezuela”

January 16, 2009

Did Venezuela's Opposition Meet with US Officials in Puerto Rico?

"The government is collecting further information to ascertain if US government officials have illegally intervened in the internal affairs of Venezuela"

By Miguel Tinker Salas
NACLA

January 15, 2009

Another Mexico

US Media Treatment of the Country as a Cliché of Mayhem Is as Ludicrous as Equating Americanness with Inner-City Murder

By Carlin Romano
The Chronicle of Higher Education

January 15, 2009

Clinton Confirmation Hearings and Obama-Calderon Meeting Reveal Big Changes About to Come in US-Latin America Policy

An “Upgrade” of NAFTA, an “Update” of Plan Colombia, Labor Protections, Easing of Cuba Embargo and “direct diplomacy with Bolivia and Venezuela” Are on the Docket

By Al Giordano
Special to The Narco News Bulletin

January 14, 2009

Our Drug War Next Door

El Paso, Texas, City Council Unanimously Calls for "an Honest, Open, National Debate on Ending the Prohibition on Narcotics"

By Clarence Page
Chicago Tribune

January 14, 2009

Colombia’s Senator Robledo: U.S. Resembles Latin America’s Spanish Colonial Masters More Each Day

A Leader of the Country’s Opposition Explains What’s at Stake as Obama Reconsiders U.S. “Free Trade” Policies Toward Latin America

By Dan Feder
Special to The Narco News Bulletin

January 12, 2009

Dirty Tactics in Operation Clean-Up

Operation Clean-Up’s Arrests of Mexican Officials are Based on Hearsay and Contradictory Testimonies; Many of the Accused Could be Set Free

By Ricardo Ravelo
Proceso

en español... Instrumentos sucios en la operación limpieza

January 12, 2009

Academics and the Chihuahua Government Say Decriminalizing Drugs is a Subject That Can’t be Avoided

Lawmakers and Legal Experts Decry El Paso Mayor John Cook’s Veto of a City Council Resolution That Proposed a Debate Over Drug Decriminalization

By Sandra Rodríguez Nieto
El Diario

en español... Despenalizar drogas es un tema que no se puede soslayar: académicos y gobierno estatal

January 12, 2009

Budget Woes Prompt States to Rethink Prison Policy

Budget Deficits and Prison Overcrowding Provide State Governments a Political Opportunity to Decriminalize Minor Drug Offenses

By David Crary, The Associated Press
Truthout

January 12, 2009

Cocaine Plane Trail is Open Challenge for Obama Administration

Elaborate Networks and Front Companies Designed to Provide Cover for Covert Operations and Drug Trafficking

By Bill Conroy
Via the NarcoSphere

January 11, 2009

The Murder of Sali Grace

After Political and Sensationalist Rumors Distorted a Horrific Crime Friends and Witnesses Tell the Story of Young Woman’s Life Cut Short

By John Gibler
ZNet

January 11, 2009

Juarez Femicides Lawyer Murdered

All Lawyers Involved in the Defense of Two Juarez Bus Drivers Falsely Accused of Femicide Have Been Executed; State Police Shot One in the Head

By Kristin Bricker
Via the NarcoSphere

January 10, 2009

Meeting Obama on Monday, Calderon Backed McCain in ‘08

Obama’s Appointment of the New US Ambassador to Mexico Will Offer the First Test of Whether Change Is Coming to US-Mexican Policy

By Al Giordano
Via the NarcoSphere

January 10, 2009

Obama and NAFTA

Will He or Won't He Renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement with Mexico and Canada?

By Laura Carlsen
Foreign Policy in Focus

January 10, 2009

Youth Demand Transparency as El Salvador Prepares Municipal and Legislative Elections

Even with Major Changes to the Electoral System Many Fear that Past Problems are Likely to Occur Again

By Alexandria Soleil and Maggie Von Vogt
Special to The Narco News Bulletin

January 9, 2009

Smuggling into U.S. Unhindered by Drug-Trade War

Despite Efforts on Both Sides of the Border the Flow of Drugs Continues with no End in Site

By Jose Luis Jimenez
The Union-Tribune - SignOnSanDiego.com

January 9, 2009

Mexican Defense Department is Silent About the Case of a Pregnant Woman Murdered at a Military Checkpoint

The Federal Attorney General’s Office Didn’t Take on the Case Even Though it Involves the Death of a Civilian, Which is a Violation of Plan Mexico’s “Human Rights Conditions”

By Editorial - Political
La Jornada

en español... Calla Sedena sobre el caso de una embarazada asesinada en un retén

January 9, 2009

Operation Disrupt Democracy in El Salvador

“Major changes in Latin American have put Washington on edge. Country after country is electing governments who represent the people instead of the financial interests of a few...”

By Erica Thompson
NACLA

January 8, 2009

Broom the CIA

US Senator Diane Feinstein’s Violent Opposition to Leon Panetta as Director of the Central Intelligence Agency Speaks Volumes About the Crimes She Seeks to Hide

By Al Giordano
The Field

January 6, 2009

Nineteen Appistas Arrested in Palestine Demonstration

Section 22 Demands and Obtains Their Release

By Nancy Davies
Commentary from Oaxaca

January 4, 2009

EZLN Criticizes the Drug War

During the Festival of Dignified Rage in Chiapas, Subcomandante Marcos Breaks the EZLN's Silence on the Drug War

By Kristin Bricker
Via the NarcoSphere

January 3, 2009

Civilians Caught Up in Drug War

Tlaxcala is the Only State Without Victims of Organized Crime

By Esther Sánchez
El Universal

en español... “Narcoguerra” alcanzó a civiles

January 3, 2009

Winners & Losers of 2008: The Good, the Bad, and Joe Lieberman

Among the Winners: Nate Silver, Rachel Maddow, and Al Giordano

By James Wolcott
Vanity Fair, February 2009 Issue

January 1, 2009

Loose Ends: Washington Subordinates Mexico Through Security Agreements

Mexico's Drug War Fits into the Rubric of the Security and Prosperity Partnership and the US Security Agenda

By Carlos Fazio
La Jornada

January 1, 2009

Mexico's Drug War Death Toll: 8,463 and Counting

A Record-Breaking 5,612 People were Executed in Mexico’s Drug War in 2008, Making the Drug War More Deadly than the Drugs

By Kristin Bricker
Via the NarcoSphere

January 1, 2009

Five Benjamins, Ten Grants, or Twenty-Five Jacksons to Go

Narco News Year-End Fund Drive Within $500 of its Goal: Let's Enter 2009 With a Running Start

By Al Giordano
Publisher, Narco News

December 31, 2008

Ill. Gov. Blagojevich’s True Colors Shine Through in Clemency Case

“If the plaintiffs in the case succeed, and force the governor to act promptly and justly... it might well be Blagojevich who... benefits from such a ruling”

By Bill Conroy
Via the NarcoSphere

December 31, 2008

Michoacan Joint Operation: Human Rights Disaster

Activist Organizations Accuse the Government of Using the Anti-Drug Operation to Repress Indigenous Communities, Poor Neighborhoods, and Social Justice Organizations

By Kristin Bricker
Via the NarcoSphere

December 30, 2008

Freedom of the Press as a Foreign Concept

A Mexican Reporter Who Wrote About Drug Violence in his Homeland is Being Held in Custody by None Other than the U.S. Government and its Immigration Service

By James Rainey
The Los Angeles Times

December 30, 2008

With Increased Readership and Features Come More Expenses

Higher Technical Costs Means Narco News Needs You Now More than Ever

By David B. Briones
Webmaster

December 29, 2008

Erin Rosa to Report from Bolivia for Narco News

Formerly with The Colorado Independent, Rosa Will Report Next Month's Historic Referendum for a New Constitution

By Al Giordano
The Field

December 27, 2008

“Wall of Violence” on Mexico’s Southern Border

Calderon’s “Two-Faced” Policy Combines Police, the Military, Gangs, and Los Zetas to Fulfill US Mandate to Deter Central American Migration

By Kristin Bricker
Via the NarcoSphere

en español... La doble moral de Calderón y la tragedia de los migrantes centroamericanos

December 23, 2008

More Than 100 Experts Question Human Rights Watch’s Venezuela Report

Statements by Lead Author of the Report, Jose Miguel Vivanco, Call into Question the Organization’s Credibility

By Various Authors
North American Congress on Latin America

December 22, 2008

Oaxaca: No Justice for Assassinated Triqui Radio Journalists

Special Federal Prosecutor Rules Out that Community Journalists Were Killed for Their Work

By Reporters Without Borders
Press Release

December 20, 2008

Caracol #2: Oventik

Second in a Series on Autonomy Under Siege in Chiapas

By Gloria Muñoz Ramírez
Americas Program

December 20, 2008

The Work and Safety of Journalists at Narco News Depends on Your Support

The Training and Support Network that Your Donations Help Provide Make It Possible for Us to Report to You from Mexico and Elsewhere

By Kristin Bricker
Reporter, Narco News

December 16, 2008

Ecuador Drops the Money Ball: President Correa Threatens to Stiff Banks, Pay Social Debt First

“Although Ecuador currently has the capacity to pay, dropping oil prices and squeezed credit markets are putting... plans to boost spending on education and health care in jeopardy”

By Daniel Denvir
The Indypendent

December 14, 2008

Wilting Wages: Money Sent Home to Mexico Declines as U.S. Economy Deteriorates

Remittance Rates Have Fallen in Recent Months as Immigrants Face Economic Hardship

By Jennifer Janisch
The Indypendent

December 14, 2008

In Colombia the Numbers Don't Add Up

CODHES Analyzed a Recent Report Regarding the Number of Insurgent Casualties; Either the Colombian Government Exaggerated its Success, or There are More Insurgents than Previously Thought

By CODHES
The US Office on Colombia

en español... En Colombia las Cifras No Cuadran

December 14, 2008

Caracol #1: La Realidad

First in a Series on Zapatista Autonomous Centers

By Gloria Muñoz Ramírez
Americas Program

December 12, 2008

Round One of Obama’s “Open for Questions” Reveals Clamor for Drug Policy Reform

The Top Question for the President-elect, and Six of the Top 20 on his Change.Gov Website, Seek Long Overdue Changes in the US “War on Drugs”

By Al Giordano
The Field

December 12, 2008

Why Plan Mexico will Crash and Burn

Rampant Corruption on Both Sides of the Border Exacerbate the Ineffectiveness of an Already Failed Strategy

By Kristin Bricker
Via the NarcoSphere

December 10, 2008

To Keep Reporting to You in 2009, Narco News Needs Your Support Today

It’s a Crucial Moment for Latin America and US Policy, and “Change” Will Depend on More and Better Information from Below

By Al Giordano
Publisher, Narco News

December 10, 2008

We All Failed Gary Webb

Four Years After the Pioneering Authentic Journalist’s Death: “People who should have supported his work simply couldn’t be bothered”

By Robert Parry
Consortium News

December 10, 2008

US Drug Czar Candidate Funded an Abusive Fundamentalist Rehab Center

US Rep. James Ramstad Was Sole Sponsor of Earmark Funding for “Teen Challenge,” with the Motto: “Addiction Is a Sin, Not a Disease”

By Maia Szalavitz
The Huffington Post

December 10, 2008

“Another Unwarranted Break-In By Oaxaca Police”

Tear-Gas Launched into House with Two-Year Old Inside

By Nancy Davies
Commentary from Oaxaca

December 9, 2008

If You Organize It, He Will Come

Lessons of the Chicago Factory Occupation

By Al Giordano
The Field

December 8, 2008

Juarez Murders Shine Light on an Emerging ‘Military Cartel’

New Documents Obtained by Narco News Tell a Different Story of Mexico’s Drug Violence, One More Sinister and Dark than the Media Script of a Simple Turf Battle Between Rival Drug “Cartels”

By Bill Conroy
Via the NarcoSphere

December 6, 2008

Mining Expert Says Petaquilla Likely Never In Production

The Future Doesn’t Look Very Bright for the Petaquilla Open Pit Gold and Copper Mine Projects in Panama. Even Though The Company Issued a Press Release Stating They Would Go in Production This Month

By Okke Ornstein
Via the NarcoSphere

December 5, 2008

Let’s End Drug Prohibition

On the 75th Anniversary of the Repeal of Alcohol Prohibition, It’s Time to Repeat History

By Ethan A. Nadelmann
The Wall Street Journal

December 5, 2008

Spring in America is Just Around the Corner: Announcing Spring 2009 United States Tour

Community Organizing and Authentic Journalism: I’d Like to Come to Your Town, City or Campus to Have a Conversation

By Al Giordano
The Field

December 5, 2008

A Border Under Siege

American Military Training and Texas Guns are Helping Boost Drug-War Violence

By Peter Gorman
Fort Worth Weekly

en español... El entrenamiento militar y armas de EE.UU. aumentan la violencia de la guerra de la droga

December 4, 2008

Welcome Secretary Clinton: Obama's Promises to Be Kept for US-Latin America Policy

Renegotiate NAFTA "in Six Months," Meet with Chávez and Others "in the First Year," Block US-Colombia Trade Deal, and Ease the Cuba Embargo

By Al Giordano
The Field

December 1, 2008

US Police Train Mexican Police to Torture

A Mexican Police Trainer Fired for Hitting a Female Cadet Has Been Hired by Another Police Force in Guanajuato

By Kristin Bricker
Via the NarcoSphere

en español... Policías de EE.UU. entrena en la tortura a policías mexicanos

November 29, 2008

Witness in Brad Will Case Remembers the 2006 Uprising

The Man Who Gave Him Mouth-to-Mouth on the Way to Hospital, Remembers the Protests and the Organizing, Discusses Why the Government Went After the Witnesses

By World View: Interview with Gustavo Vilchis
Chicago Public Radio

November 29, 2008

Mexico’s Mob Violence Moves North

Plan Colombia to the Merida Initiative: America’s Prohibitionist Strategy of Militarizing Drug War Efforts Abroad is Coming Home to Roost as Violence Crosses the Border

By Constantino Diaz-Duran
The Daily Beast

November 27, 2008

Amnesty International USA Under Fire for Its Support of “Plan Mexico”

At a Public Meeting with Amnesty USA President Larry Cox, a 15-Year Member of the Group Was Physically Removed After Speaking Against Militarization of Mexico

By Alan Gray
News Blaze

November 27, 2008

“I Didn’t Kill Brad Will”: An Interview with Juan Manuel Martinez

The Man Who Supposedly Murdered the US Videographer Agrees that He Participated in the APPO Protests, but He Maintains that He Never Met the Journalist

By Diego Enrique Osorno
Milenio

en español... Entrevista: Juan Manuel Martínez - Presunto Asesino De Brad Will “Yo No Maté a Brad Will”

November 27, 2008

The U.S. Drug War Reaches New Heights of Absurdity in Federal Court

Popular Clean Urine Kit Used to Pass Drug Tests Targeted by Feds in Conspiracy Case

By Christopher Fee
Via the NarcoSphere

November 26, 2008

State of Fear: Arizona’s Immigrant Crackdown

Sheriff Joe Arpaio’s Policing Tactics, Which Many Call Illegal, May be Paving the Way for Future U.S. Immigration Policy

By National Radio Project
Making Contact

November 26, 2008

The Selma of Immigration Rights

In Arizona, Immigrants Protest Sheriff Joe’s Nativist Agenda

By Andrew Stelzer
In These Times

November 26, 2008

“La Doctora” Bertha Muñoz Returns to Oaxaca after Nearly Two Years in Hiding

Despite Threats of Violence, and State Criminal Charges She has Returned Home to Face the Fear that Led Her into Exile

By Nancy Davies
Commentary from Oaxaca

November 26, 2008

Links Between Mexican Security Secretary Garcia Luna and Drug Kingpin “El Mayo”

Federal Police Say Garcia Luna’s Bodyguards Witnessed the Head of Mexico’s Public Security Ministry Discuss an “Agreement” with a Drug Cartel Gangster

By Ricardo Ravelo
Proceso

en español... Vínculos García Luna - “El Mayo”

November 25, 2008

Video: Doctor Bertha Returns to Oaxaca

Two Years in Exile, on the Date that Federal Police Invaded, the Voice of Popular Radio Picks Up the Cause Again

By Corrugated Films
corrugatedfilms.blogspot.com

en español... Video: La Doctora Bertha regresa a Oaxaca
en français... « La Doctora » Bertha Muñoz, revient à Oaxaca

November 25, 2008

New Media, New Opportunities

“It’s an Exciting Time to Be a Journalist”

By Erin Rosa
Denver Fieldhands, for Columbia Journalism Review

November 25, 2008

Romero’s Folly: NY Times Reporter Calls Chavez’s Landslide Electoral Victory a “Stinging Defeat”

The Venezuelan President Increased His Vote by 1.3 Million and His Candidates Won 74 Percent of State Governorships on Sunday

By Al Giordano
Via the NarcoSphere

November 24, 2008

Sen. Clinton, if Named Secretary of State, Can’t Escape Husband’s Golden Tongue

An Extension of Current U.S. Policy in Latin America: Former President Clinton has Earned Nearly $2 Million in Speaking Fees Paid for by Organizations Representing the Business Elite in Nations such as Mexico, Ecuador and Colombia

By Bill Conroy
Via the NarcoSphere

November 23, 2008

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