GUATEMALA CITY, Guatemala – Rios Montt, the former Guatemalan dictator, was found guilty of genocide and crimes against humanity last Saturday for killing more than 1,700 Ixil Mayan Indians during Guatemala’s 36-year civil war.  He was sentenced to 80 years in prison.  Montt is the first Latin American ex-leader to be convicted of genocide, and the first former, or current leader in the world to be convicted of genocide in his own country.

Former Guatemalan dictator Ricardo Montt was sentenced to 80 years for Genocide when he commanded troops to kill more than 1,700 people of Ixil Mayan decent. (Photo Courtesy of the New York Times)

The 86-year old Montt held power in Guatemala from 1982-1983.  After overthrowing one leader during a coup, he was was overthrown immediately after.  During his year-long dictatorship, he commanded his troops to rape, torture, and murder thousands of Ixil Mayans when he implemented a scorched-earth policy against leftist rebels.  Troops massacred the indigenous population because they were thought to be assisting the rebels.  Over 200,000 people died during the course of the civil war.

After the civil war ended in 1996, Montt became a member of congress and was immune from prosecution.  Montt was indicted in January 2012 after losing his immunity when he finished his congressional term.  His attorneys tried to delay the trial in hopes that he would die before facing a court, however, attempts were futile when he and his former Chief of Military Intelligence, José Mauricio Rodríguez Sánchez, went before Guatemala’s Supreme Court on March 19, 2013.

In a courtroom packed with Ixil Mayan people, garbed in traditional clothing, Judge Yassmin Barrios told Montt that he was “fully aware of plans to exterminate the indigenous Ixl population.”  Montt denied the charge, and proclaimed his innocence, claiming he never had control of the battlefield.  Former U.S. President, Ronald Reagan was a supporter of Montt, believed that Mott was “a man of great personal integrity.”  President Reagan believed that the dictator received a “bum rap” from rights groups when Montt implemented a scorched-earth policy.

The courtroom erupted in cheers after Montt, who claimed he had “never authorized, signed, proposed, or ordered attacks on a racial, ethnic, or religious group,” received his sentence.  ”I feel happy.  May no one else ever have to go through what I did.  My community has been sad ever since this happened,” said Elena de Paz, an Ixil Mayan whose parents were killed and home was burned by soldiers when she was only two years old.  Nobel Peace Prize winner Rigoberta Menchu was also satisfied by the court’s decision.  ”Today we are happy, because for many years it was said that genocide was a lie, but today the court said it was true,” she said.

Amnesty International hailed the verdict, and called Montt’s trial “the trial of the decade.”

For further information please see:

Bloomberg News — Former Guatemalan Dictator Rios Montt Guilty of Genocide Charges — 11 May 2013

The Atlantic News Wire — Rios Montt Convicted of Genocide — 10 May 2013

Human Rights Watch — Guatemala: Rios Montt Convicted of Genocide — 10 May 2013

New York Times — Former Guatemalan Dictator Rios Montt Convicted of Genocide — 10 May 2013 

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SANTIAGO, Chile - Thousands of students took to the streets today as protestors marched on the Chilean capital of Santiago demanded free education. The second national march of the year, protestors clashed with police despite the peaceful undertone as petrol bombs were met with tear gas and water cannons.

Riot police were forced to end the Chilean student protest after it turned deadly as elements threw petrol bombs. (Photo courtesy of BBC)

While Chile’s education system is regard highly among Latin American countries, protestors state that they are discriminatory and unfair. While the middle and upper class have access to top schooling, the poor are limited to under-funded state schools with no free universities available.

The movement began with numerous demonstrations in 2011, and shows no signs of letting up. Few have seen any new benefit in the past few years, but education reform is slated to be a large issue during this year’s November Presidential election. Nationwide students marched for the opportunity to the same access to the education systems that the rich of the nation have had for generations. While the movement is mainly peaceful, with students waving signs and chanting, nefarious elements turned parts of the march violent.

Whether or not the protesters themselves have become violent or small groups of ill-tempered individuals who have infiltrated the movement has become the main question for police officers. Throughout Latin America during seemingly peaceful protests, hooded vandals can be seen inciting police officers to take the bait by throwing stones, vandalize shops and throwing homemade incendiary devices. Their intentions however must be questioned, as once peaceful scuffles become increasingly dangerous and disruptive as riot police shut down the protests. Here in Santiago after petrol bombs were thrown, the once peaceful protest was forcibly shut down by police who were attempting to quell the riot favoring elements.

Last month, 100,000 students marched for free education. The protest left casualties as eight officers were injured, one in serious condition after being attacked with acid, with 109 protestors were detained for different offenses.

For more information please see:

BBC – Chile Students Resume Protests For Free Education – 8 May 2013

Edmonton Journal – Chile Students Stage Big Protest Demand Education Reform – 8 May 2013

BBC - Chile Student Protests Resume As 100,000 March - 11 April 2013

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SUCRE, Bolivia – A packed judiciary made their decision this week, despite constitutional restrictions, President Evo Morales would be able to seek a third term as President of Boliva.

Morales manipulation of Bolivian politics will allow him to seek an unprecedented third term. (Photo courtesy of CNN)

Following other Latin American leaders on the right and left, the Bolivian supreme court announced that despite term limits set forth by the Bolivian constitution, President Morales would be eligible to seek a third 5 year term after his current term expires. The language of the constitution allows that a Presidential candidate may only seek re-election once. However Supreme Court ruled that despite this being Morales second attempt at re-election, his first would not count as this was a new ratified constitution, that differed from the ones that were in place when Morales sought his initial term, and its subsequent re-election. Indicating that next year’s vote will be legally counted as Morales’ first re-election.

Opponents are claiming foul play are in order. The new constituoon was ratified via referendum in 2009, which lead many at the time to question whether Morales would attempt to circumvent the resitrictions. Insiders say that the constitution was only ratified because of a promise that Morales would not attempt to run for a third term. As for the court decision, opposition leader Samuel Doria Medina of the National Unity party accused the Morales government of stacking the judiciary in a way that favored Morales’ policies.

After the Constitutional Courts statement, the Senate of Bolivia immediately passed the Law Enforcement Legislation which would allow Evo Morales on the bill for the December 2014 Presidential election. The bill was passed quite quickly and is likely to be ratified by the parliamentary majority supporting Morales.

Should Morales win, he will be the longest sitting President in Andean politics, and be the longest sitting ruler in Bolivian history

For more information, please see:

La Republica – Evo Morales: Senate Approves Bill Allowing third Candidacy - 7 May 2013

Financial Times – Boliva court Clears Evo Morales’ bid To Run For Third Term – 30 April 2013

CNN – Court Clears Path For Bolivia’s Morales to Run For 3rd Term – 30 April 2013

Reuters - Court Allows Bolivia’s Morales To Seek Second Re-Election - 29 April 2013

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LIMA, Peru - Forgotten, and alone, Juan Navarro languished in a Peruvian prison for 37 years without ever being convicted.  Charged with murder in 1976, he was incarcerated in the Lurigancho prison on August 3 of that year, where he would remain until his story was revealed, without a court date or trial.

The oldest residence of the Peruvian prison has been released after 37 years in prison without a trial. (Photo Courtesy of RPP)

His brain has to fail him as the 76 or possibly 78 year old man has the signs of dementia and can no longer remember details about his life. Only that he has been in prison surviving against the harsh conditions and that he has been incarcerated, “They ruined my teeth from so many hits and they chased me with a knife. … They wanted to slit my throat,” the problem with his incarceration, is that no one knows how he got to be there. Prison and judiciary  officials have no information or records concerning his imprisonment and confinement. A prison riot destroyed any records that would lead to information concerning his crime, or family.

Having spent 37 years in prison, he has officially spent more time in prison than Peruvian statutory regulations allow. Peruvian criminal sentencing statutes do not allow for a sentence over 35 years. Peruvian law also dictates that if you are imprisoned for over 36 months without an official sentence you would be freed. So even had Mr. Navarro been sentenced to the maximum possible sentence for the crime of murder, he would have had have been released two years ago. However these loopholes require someone to file paperwork on your behalf in order to streamline the process. Unfortunately until Mr. Navarro’s story was revealed on the radio, he had no family in order to file his writ.

These violations of habeas corpus are nothing new to Latin American prisons. According to the prison director at the San Pendro prison in Lima, only 1,291 prisoners of the approximately 8,6000 inmates have been sentenced.

Before anyone had the opportunity to file a writ of habeas corpus for Mr. Navarro the government took a proactive step and released the inmate. Demented and without family, Mr. Navarro has been taken in by residential care center that takes care of the elderly that have been forgotten and neglected by society.

For  more information, please see:

CNN – 37 Years In Prison, But Was He Sentenced? – 15 April 2013

La Republica – Freedom Granted To Oldest Lurigancho Prisoner - 11 April 2013

Peru 21 – Freed Old Man Who Was Imprisoned 37 Years Without Trial – 10 April 2013

RPP – Judiciary has Immediate Reease of Juan Navarro Acuna - 10 April 2013

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MEXICO CITY, Mexico – The fight against illegal immigration in the United States has forced human traffickers into the sea. One new shocking twist has led to a dangerous trend as human traffickers have begun abandoning poor migrant works at sea, at the mercy of the sea and the slim hope that either the U.S. coast guard or Mexican navy picks them up.

A shocking new trend has emerged as human traffickers have began abandoning their cargo at sea. (Photo courtesy of Fox News Latino)

In the past decade the United States has taken to tightening the security across the land border, doubling the number of Border Patrol agents and building hundreds of miles of fences and barriers in order to combat the stem of illegal immigration and drug smuggling. Illegal human traffickers and drug traffickers have remained consistent with their attempts to continuing their illegal importation, and have increasingly taken to the seas. However smuggling hundreds of migrant workers at a dock or abandoned beach is complicated and dangerous as an operation, leaving a high chance of being discovered, leading to another option, abandoning the cargo at sea.

With traffickers demanding high operating fees beforehand, there is little reason for them to finish the operation. At sea, they will feign engine trouble or radio trouble and force the migrants on to small boats without food or radios and tell them that they will return for them, without any intention of doing so. The Mexican navy has in the past months found an average of 10-12 boats of the coast of Baja California with wayward seafarers presumably abandoned by the smugglers.

With estimates of upwards of 300,000 migrants smuggled into the United States each year, the trend of sea smuggling is a shocking one. In order to battle this new frontier, it is likely that the coast guards and border patrols will likely need increased resources in order to watch the high seas. But either way, sources have indicated that there is likely going to be a “Dramatic increase now in drowning and other kinds of water fatalities and other kinds of danger associated with crossing in the water.”

The problem has become so perverse that Mexican maritime authorities have issued a warning “Do not allow yourself to be fooled and put your life at risk by leaving it in the hands of people without scruples whose only goal is obtaining money without caring about the lives of other human beings.”

One survivor indicated that she agreed to pay $12,000 to be smuggled via boat into the United States. She was found abandoned in a 31-foot vessel in the New Port harbor.

For more information, please see:

Fox News Latino – Smugglers Abandoning Migrants At Sea, Mexico Says – 30 April 2013

CNN – Mexico: Traffickers Abandoning Immigrants At Sea – 29 April 2013

UNODC - Migrant Smuggling - 1 January 2012

CNN – Mexican Smugglers Use Pacific As New Route – 23 September 2009

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CARACAS, Venezuela - Hugo Chavez’s handpicked legacy has a lot of work in front of him. As Nicholas Maduro was sworn in earlier this week he already faces immense hardships. Maduro is inheriting food and medical shortages, chronic power outages, one of the world’s highest homicide rates, potential electoral fraud and a constituency that doesn’t respect him.

New President Maduro faces allegations of electoral strong arming from opposition. (Photo courtesy of BBC)

After Chavez’s death, Hugo seemed like the obvious choice. Vice President and acting President Maduro was poised to retake the presidency as emergency elections were instated. However Maduro lacked the pure charisma that Chavez used to unite the country behind, and many thought he would face problems getting voters back in the booth. Gaffes, and accusations were levied at him by opposition aimed to discredit him and build the base of opposition candidate Henrique Capriles.

A former bus driver, without a college degree, the most telling story that arose from Venezuelan media, was the “very small bird” who gave him his blessing to become President. Maduro told newspapers, that after Chavez’s death a bird in Barinas communicated to him via whistling the spirit of Hugo Chavez, giving him the drive to be President.

Spirituality aside, Maduro was not able to ignite the fire in the voters as Chavez was. Unlike 60+% Win by Chavez over Capriles, Maduro officially beat Capriles by 200,000 votes, or less than 2 percent. Even before the voting had been tallied, many were calling foul play. Stories arose of uncounted votes, ballot boxes thrown in ditches and strong arming from local motorcycle gangs of “Chavistas” or supporters of Chavez.

In order to appease the frantic the dissidents within the country, an audit of the electoral process was demanded and agreed to before Maduro was sworn in, a process that would take approximately a month to complete. Opposition candidate believes there is enough evidence due to the ballot irregularities to believe he has won the election.

The audit was demanded by Capriles, backed by the United States, and urged on by Brazil and the Union of Southern American Countries, insisting that Maduro’s legacy is not shadowed by doubt. The accuracy of the audit however is another issue; many doubt whether it will produce a fair outcome considering Venezuela’s shaky past. In Chavez’ decade and a half reign, individuals were stripped of their right to free speech and due process, lowered the reach of the judiciary, and helped eliminate independent media sources.

For more information, please see:

Wall Street Journal – Latin Leaders Abandon Democracy In Venezuela – 21 April 2013

BBC – Venezuela Election Official Plays Down Vote Audit – 20 April 2013

Fox News Latino – Venezuela’s Maduro Endures Rough Inauguration Day – 20 April 2013

Huffington Post – Nicolas Maduro Assures Hugo Chavez Appeared To Him As A ‘Little Bird’ To Bless Him (VIDEO) - 3 April 2013

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 BOGOTA, Colombia – There is an upcoming demonstration scheduled in London from people in Colombia, Mongolia, South Africa and the United States against the largest mining companies. The mining companies are accused of polluting the environment, affecting people’s health and forcing communities to migrate due to their operations.

Cerrejón mine located in La Guajira, Colombia. (Photo Courtesy of Guy Bell/Alamy)

The owners of Cerrejón, a coal mine in northern Colombia, are accused of devastating the health of about 13,000 people who live near the mine.

Julio Gomez, the president of Fecodemigua (Federation of Communities Displaced by Mining in La Guajira) said,”We have had to suffer the impacts of opencast coal mining for over 25 years now. Our communities have been gradually and systematically asphyxiated by the contamination caused by coal mining, our societies [have been] fractured.”

The mine has been opened since 1985 and plans on increasing its production by 25% in three years. Britain has increased imports of Colombian coal by 48%. The mine is the largest in South America. The mine has gone through labor disputes, complaints of management, pollution, and for failure to compensate communities that have been affected by its operations. The mine was shut down by a strike for 32 days this year. Mine workers suffered from back problems and respiratory infections.

“The health of everyone in La Guajira within 5km of the area of mining and transport of coal is being severely affected: studies [show] the constant exposure to coal dust is clearly linked to the increase in illnesses,” said Gomez.

The owners of Cerrejón, Anglo American, have been accused of destroying communities due to expansion. Five villages have been displaced due to the mine’s operations. The affected communities mostly include those of the Wayuu people. The Wayuu have lived in the area before the Spanish conquest. The Wayuu have been forced to resettle to other villages. The indigenous Afro-Colombian people have also been displaced due to the mine. The people that did not relocate suffer from polluted soil, which prevents them from growing their crops.

An Anglo American spokesman said, “Anglo American works tirelessly to ensure we observe the highest international standards, whether relating to human rights, environmental sensitivities and social issues, both in our wholly owned and jointly owned operations.”

Critics of Anglo American advocate for the displaced people and miners who try to stop the rapidly expanding mining industry and demand better conditions for the people who live in the surrounding areas.

For further information, please see:

Guardian — Colombian miners hit out at Anglo American – 15 April 13

El Heraldo — Corpoguajira opens investigation against Cerrejón – 12 April 13

El Herlado — Cerrejon says that manages protection for threatened members Sintracarbón – 9 April 13

New Internationalist — Bringing Colombian coal mining back home to London – 9 April 13

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By Brendan Oliver Bergh
Impunity Watch Reporter, South America

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina - After faithfully serving the catholic church for 30 years as a priest, Nicolas Alessio was cast from the church, and expelled from the ministry. With the media ablaze with stories of catholic corruption, sex abuse and ineffectual leadership many might come to the wrong conclusion for Alessio’s expulsion. In reality he was expelled for speaking in favor of gay and equal marriage when the issue came to a vote in Argentina.

Alessio who was expelled from the ministry after publicly endorsing the concept of equal marriage. (Photo courtesy of Clarin)

When Argentina became the first Latin American country to legalize same-sex marriage in 2010, there was considerable outrage from many organizations. Chief among them was the Catholic Church which has maintained its staunch disagreement and criticism of the homosexual lifestyle. Among the chief insults to the Catholic Church, Alessio was determined to have made and was actively supporting gay marriage, and when it became legalized, marrying and divorcing same-sex couples.

Documents released earlier this week indicated that Alessio was punished “by dismissal from the clerical state, through the Congregation for the Clergy,” and as thus has lost “the clerical state’s own rights and remains excluded from the whole exercise of the sacred ministry.” The Archbishop of Cordoba, Monsignor Carlos Jise Nanez apparently reported that the canonical ecclesiastical court was brought forth due to Alessio’s public statements made in favor of same-sex marriage.

Unfortunately for Alessio, his conviction is not subject to any appeal. During the course of the trial, Alessio was forbidden from publicly exercising his position as a priest, and not allowed to publicly celebrate mass, or administer sacraments to the congregation. At the canonical trial Alessio did not exercise a defense, as he believed that trial itself was without foundation, and to do so would effectively endorse their actions.

Despite being officially ostracized by the church for exercising his freedom of speech and expression, Alessio has refused to stop his work. “Over 30 years serving the people of God did not mean anything to the Catholic Church. It was enough to opine different Archbishopric getting fired. I personally do not affect me at all, because I will continue sharing the sacraments as heretofore. The faithful do not care about these official decisions.“

With Uruguay becoming the second south American country to legalize same-sex marriage, the catholic church may need to readjust their stance and position on the subject. Alessio has indicated, that despite being excised from the priesthood, he will continue to do the job of a priest, “I will have to admit they can not erase what I am: a priest.”

For more information, please see:

El Puercoespin – Argentina: The Priest Who Made The Option For Gays, Politics And His Own Son, John D’Alessandro – 13 April 2013

Info Catolica – Nicolas Alessio Ha Sido Penado Con La Dimision De Estado Clerical – 13 April 2013

La Arena – A Nicolas Alessio Took Away The Cure Condition For Demonstrating In Favor Of Equal Marriage – 12 April 2013

Aica - El Vaticano Pena Con Dimision Del Estado Clerical A Jose Nicolas Alessio - 12 April 2013

Clarin – The Vatican Began To Cure Cordoba Who Supported Gay Marriage – 12 April 2013

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MONTEVIDEO, Uruguay - With an overwhelming majority of vote of support Uruguay’s Congress passed a bill effectively legislating same-sex marriage within the Latin American country. And as bill passed the house with a vote of 71 out of 92, it was not with a whisper, but with thunderous applause as groups celebrating the historic decision. When President Jose Mujica, and the upper house signs – as they are expected too – and ratifies the bill, Uruguay will be the 12^th country and second in South America to pass binding legislation.

Uruguayan citizens celebrate the congress’s passage of legislation to legalize same-sex marriage. (Photo courtesy of Guardian)

While civil unions have been approved in Uruguay since 2008, advocates have indicated that “marriage embodies a much broader [institution]” compared to civil unions. The bill contains language similar to that of the bill that legalized same-sex marriage in Argentina in 2010. In Article 1 of the bill, marriage will be defined as “the union of two parties, regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation in the same terms, with the same effects and ways of solutions sets to present the civil code.”

Criticism for same-sex marriage, the bill, and the homosexual lifestyle has come from groups aligned with the Roman Catholic Church and other similar Christian organizations which claim that it would endanger the sacred institution of family, and the family unit. Many, including lawmakers openly oppose the bill as it would “distort and change the nature of the institution of marriage.” Among the critics are Congressman Pablo Iturralde, who argued that the bill modified the legal framework of heterosexual marriage. Rather than regulating the framework for gay marriage, the congress has altered every fabric of straight and gay marriage.

Proponents have been vehement in their support, as LGBT organizations have begun celebrating, and homosexual couples have begun rejoicing with their future, which no longer regulates them as secondary class citizens. While the legislative recognition of same-sex marriage will not guarantee the removal of any social discrimination there are indications that public policies will be aimed at changing the cultural society necessary to achieve equality within society.

Fernando Amado, lawmaker within the Congress, boiled the argument down to family and love. “I agree that family is the basis of society but also believe that love is the basis of family. And love is neither homosexual nor heterosexual.

For more information, please see:

Telam – To Rachid, Equal Marriage In Uruguay “Reinforces A Commitment To Inclusion” – 11 April 2013

Yahoo – Uruguay Approves Gay Marriage, Second In Region To Do So – 11 April 2013

BBC – Uruguay Congress Votes To Legalise Gay Marriage – 11 April 2013

Telam - The Equal Marriage Law Was Enacted In Uruguay - 10 April 2013

The Guardian - Uruguay Legalises Same-Sex Marriage - 10 April 2013

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 SANTIAGO, Chile – Chile’s Foreign Minister Alfredo Moreno met with Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez in Havana. Conservative groups hope the talks cover the extradition of fugitives suspected of killing Senator Jaime Guzmán in 1991.

People gathered at the 22nd anniversary of Guzmán’s death. (Photo Courtesy of Evan Lang/The Santiago Times)

However, it is reported that Moreno will meet privately with Rodríguez about the Guzmán case.

Guzmán founded the conservative Independent Democratic Union (UDI) party in 1983. He was also an advisor to General Augusto Pinochet and co-authored the country’s 1980 constitution.

 Moreno and Rodríguez will meet with Costa Rica’s Foreign Minister, Enrique Castillo, the three together form the Community of Latin American and Caribbean states (CELAC) to discuss agreements reached in January during a conference in Santiago.

During the January CELAC conference, Cuban President Raúl Casto, promised President Sebastián Piñera his cooperation in locating the people who took part in the assassination plot. Piñera presented a UDI report that discussed that the alleged criminals are residing in Cuba.

The UDI received renewed impetus due to April 1^st, being the 22^nd anniversary of the senator’s assassination. He was assassinated by members of the Manuel Rodriguez Patriotic Front (FPMR).

UDI president, Patricio Melero, spoke at a memorial event for the slain senator. He said he hoped the diplomatic efforts would “…[P]ut an end to two decades of impunity and restore the dignity of Jaime Guzmán as a person, a politician and a good man.”

“We owe it not only to the memory of Jaime Guzmán but to all Chileans who believe in justice to continue pressuring national and international institutions to complete their role in facilitating the just conviction of those who planned and perpetrated his assassination, all of whom are today at liberty; this is the greatest injustice of all,” Melero said.

Groups like the FPMR credit Guzmán for some of the human rights abuses during the Pinochet dictatorship. The FPMR describes him as “one of the principal intellectual authors and ideologues of the (1973) military coup and subsequent genocide,” who “despite attempts to portray him as a saint, was always behind criminal acts enacted against the people.”

The only people to have been convicted for Guzmán’s murder were rescued in a dramatic prison escape via helicopter, which was planned by the FPMR in 1996.

A memorial for Guzmán was held on April 1, the 22^nd anniversary of his death. PResidiental candidate Laurence Golborne, Interior Minister Andrés Chadwick, and UDI President Melero were in attendance.

For more information, please see:

Radio Cadena Agramonte — FMs of Cuba and Chile Hold Talks in Havana – 06 April 13

Santiago Times — Chilean Right seeks extradition for Guzmán killers – 03 April 13

Latercera — Jaime Guzman, ideals and leadership – 01 April 13

Santiago Times — Chilean conservatives commemorate assassinated Senator Jaime Guzmán – 01 April 13

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GUATEMALA CITY , Guatemala - Guatemalan president Otto faces accusations atrocities that would link his command to war crimes and crimes against humanity as the trial of former leader Efrain Rios Montt goes underway.

The trial of Former head of state Rios Montt has lead to testimony accusing sitting Guatemalan President of War Crimes. (Photo courtesy of  Reuters)

Rios Montt was indicted in January 2012 on charges related to 15 massacres of the indigenous Ixil people in 1982.  Prosecutors have begun the trial by attempting to link this Rrios Montts history of representational inhumanity, and establish how as a general he willfully ignored soldiers who used rape, torture and arson as weapons against rebels.  Montt  has yet to take the stand, and when he does will be the first Guatemalan former head of state to do so on the charges of genocide and crimes against humanity.

Related to these incidents however was testimony from former army engineer Hugo Reyes that linked current president Otto Perez to war crimes an atrocities during the Guatemalan6g6y civil war. The engineer testified that under Perez’s commanded, soldiers’ intentionally and willfully destroyed property and burned homes and killed unarmed civilians.

These accusations led to statements that President Perez has vehemently rejected, referring to witness’s testimony as “a lie” and refused to comment on the potential testimony.

During the civil war, Perez was known as Major Tito Arias commanded troops along with another officer in northwestern Guatemala. Reyes, testified that the two coordinated the burning of homes and “pulling people out so they could execute them.” He continued by explaining how soldiers would take kidnapped civilians back to the military barracks where they were tortured, killed and then unceremoniously dumped into mass graves.

This is not the first time that Perez’s past as a military officer has led to speculation. When Perez took office, many questioned his participation in the war that took 200,000 people, and lead to the forced disappearance of another 45,000.  After his ascension to the presidency, human rights activists questioned whether he would bar efforts to bring army officials accused of war crimes to justice, but beyond the rejection of Reyes testimony, Perez has not gone to lengths to stop the criminal courts from processing war criminals.

It is unknown if this testimony will lead to anything. As a sitting President he enjoys amnesty as a public officials and cannot be subpoenaed.

Reyes has stated that he fears for his life, explaining that he fears retribution from Perez and other military commanders stating “I’m totally sure that they feel nothing in their soul torturing and disappearing someone.”

For more information, please see:

Human Rights Watch – Guatemala Genocide Trial A Landmark - 19 March 2013

Reuters - Guatemalan President Rejects Testimony Linking Him To War Crimes – 5 April 2013

Stabroek News – Witness At Ex-Dictator’s Trial Links Guatemalan President To War Crimes – 5 April 2013

El Tiempo – ‘The Conviction Of Former Dictator Rios Montt Could initiate Reconciliation’ – 5 February 2013

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SUCRE, Bolivia – Bolivian President Evo Morales has made recent comments about the country’s withdrawal from the Inter-American Commission of Human Rights (IACHR).

Bolivian President Evo Morales (Photo Courtesy of AP/Peter Kramer).

This announcement came immediately after the IAHCR ‘s hearing on the construct of a road through the Isiboro Sécure National Park and Indigenous Territory.

“We are seriously considering withdrawing from the commission,” Morales said, according to The Associated Press. “We have our dignity and sovereignty to put in place in these kinds of institutions,”

President Morales’ stance is similar to Ecuadorean President’s Correa’s, who is advocating a series of reforms to the IACHR. One of Correa’s reforms is to change IAHCR’s headquarters in Washington D.C. The Commission “has offices in the United States and that country has not ratified any human rights treaty,” said Morales. President Correa and the Bolivian Alliance for the Americas (ALBA) received approval for the proposal to block the Organization of American States (OAS) rapporteur’s office from pushing reports on freedom of expression, block the office from independent financial support and place it under control from member states. The OAS is made up of ambassadors from member states.

The ALBA members have threatened to withdraw from the human rights organization if their proposal was not met. ALBA took advantage of the weakening support for the human rights system in South America. The OAS is in charge of writing the restructuring for the organization that encompasses the ALBA’s recommendations.

Morales has accused the OAS of coming to Bolivia for the purpose of defending governments “that were massacring the Bolivian people.”

OAS Secretary General José Miguel Insulza said that he would oppose efforts to weaken human rights. However, in response to the ALBA’s recommendations, Insulza proposed a statutory overhaul to govern the IACHR. His recommendations are for the governments to decide the IAHCR monitoring, force delays in the organization’s  findings and restrict the power to issue precautionary measures.

Isuluza has said, “  “The OAS and its member states need an autonomous and strong commission and an autonomous and strong court of human rights. But these bodies also need to take into consideration, in the course of their work, the points of view of the democratic governments of the hemisphere.”

The Inter-American system for the protection of human rights occurred after the adoption of the American Declaration of the Rights and Duties of Man in 1948. The Commission of Human Rights was created in 1959.

Venezuela withdrew from the American Convention on Human Rights in September.

For further information, please see:

Christian Science Monitor — Victory for human rights in Latin America? – 25 March 13

 Al Jazeera — The IACHR against colonialism – 23 March 13

 Fox News Latino — Bolivia Threatens To Pull Out of International Human Rights Organization – 22 March 13

Americas Quarterly — Human Rights Under Siege in the Americas – 12 February 13

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BRASILIA, Brazil - Despicable, or misguided? These are the questions some in Brazil are asking as Dr. Virginia Soares de Souza was removed from her Brazil hospital on accusations of murder. The Brazilian health ministry alleges that de Souza killed seven terminally ill patients at the Evangelical Hospital in Curitiba. Why? To free up beds in her hospital for new patients.

Brazilian Doctor accused of killing terminally ill patients in order to  free up beds. (Photo courtesy of Fox News Latino)

De Souza maintains her innocence, claiming that she is being falsely accused. Despite her claims of innocence a few of her statements collected by wiretap indicate that something subversive was going on in Curitiba. “I want to clear the intensive care unit. It’s making me itch.” Not on itself conclusive of serial killing by euthanize, authorities came to suspect de Souza of injecting patients with a drug cocktails and tampering with respirators after nurses began reporting   suspicions that their patients were poisoned.

While the investigations currently has attributed the deaths of seven patients to her actions, investigators are looking at the medical records of some 300 other patients who were treated under de Souza’s supervision and care.

Authorities indicated that de Souza recruited doctors to help her administer drug cocktails of anesthetics and sedatives in order to alter the chemical balance within her patients before they succumbed to death. Beyond de Souza, another seven health care professionals have been charged with the case. Their actions, according to prosecutors, was to euthanize the victims against the wishes of patients and their families, all in the name of clearing up the clutter and over capacity of patients within the ICU.

The investigation is going back seven years, with doctors analyzing the medical charts of more than 1,700 patients. Investigators allege that in cases where de Souza did not herself prescribe the drug cocktails, she ordered underlings to alter respirators, potentially speeding up their untimely deaths.

While society debates the merits of assisted suicide and euthanasia, Virginia Soares de Souza does not have the legal protections that Dr. Kevorkian argued. If convicted de Souza will be facing multiple murder charges ant the possibility of a serial killer moniker.

Dr. Mario Lobato, the doctor in charge of the investigation has told reporters that “they all have the same [M.O.], the same relationship between the drug and the death,” he continued that some of the victims were still conscious and until the time moment of their deaths.

For more information, please see:

CNN – Brazilian Doctor Killed 7 Patients To Free Up Hospital Beds, Police Say – 29 March 2013

Latino Fox News – Dr. Death? Brazilian Doctor Killed Patients To Free Up Hospital Beds, Police Say – 28 March 2013

Christin Science Monitor – Doctor Killed 300 Patients? Doctor Felt ‘All Powerful ‘ Say Prosecutors – 28 March 2013

Digital Journal - Brazilian Doctor May Have Killed Hundreds – 27 March 2013

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 LIMA, Peru – Peru has reinstated selective military service. However, this obligatory military service can be avoided by paying a $700 fee. The government of Peru is being accused for imposing a draft for the poor.

Soldiers marching in a parade celebrating Peru’s Independence Day. (Photo Courtesy of AP)

Military service in Peru has been voluntary since 1998, but the harsh conditions and lack of incentives has left the armed forces short 30,000 recruits this year.

President Ollanta Humala, a former army officer, reimposed the draft via decree. Military chief Adm. Jose Cueto announced that the draft would be held in May. The draft applies to all males between the ages of 18 to 25 chosen by lottery. There are exemptions for parents, university students and anyone who can afford the $700 fee.

“It seems to me completely improvised with the aggravating factor that it directly affects the poor,” said human rights activist Wilfredo Ardito. Ardito called the draft discriminatory on several counts. The poor get hit twice — they cannot afford neither higher education nor the fine, he said.

Adm. Cueto believes that President Humala acted out of necessity in issuing the decree. He told The Associated Press that Peruvian armed forces are operating in a different era from the one in the 1980s and 1990s that contained many human rights abuses.

The draft entails two years of obligatory military service. Cueto believes that the draft would be beneficial for poor young men.  He has said, “Military service has been stigmatized as something bad and the exact opposite is true, because it provides a series of benefits to young men, principally those of humble means. It offers instruction, trains them, creates values and, in addition, gives them a profession.”

Peru’s southeastern hot zone, located between the Purimac and Ene river valley is where more than 80 soldiers have been killed since 2008 in battles between the cocaine-funded vestiges of the Shining Path.

The soldiers who participate in the draft are paid a little more than $100 per month and can increase to $146 with room and board included. However, the minimum wage in Peru is $283 per month.

Most of the citizens are against this draft seemingly imposed just on the poor. “I’m against it. They would be depriving young people of their right to decide. A lot people here can’t afford to pay (the fine),” said Eduard Rodriguez, a 24-year-old gastronomy student.

Peru may have taken a cue from neighboring countries in the reinstatement of its draft, since Boliva and Colombia have ranks of their armed forces filled by many poor citizens.

For more information, please see:

Associated Press –Peru criticized for ‘avoidable’ military draft – 27 March 13

East Oregonian — Peru criticized for ‘avoidable’ military draft – 27 March 13

Fox News Latino — Peru Criticized For Military Draft On The Poor – 27 March 13

Yahoo News –  Peru criticized for ‘avoidable’ military draft – 27 March 13

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BOGOTA, Colmbia - Colombia is in the midst of progressing gay rights and supporting same-sex marriage. A court ruling has been mulling around the Colombian House of Representatives that would effectively legalize gay marriage. The A new bill has passed the first of four major votes, but is not expected to progress through the senate unless an impasse is found amongst legislators.

Same-Sex couples in Colombia are waiting for the legislature to pass comprehensive marriage equality laws before the courts implement their ruling. (Photo Courtesy of El Tiempo)

At this moment Colombia does not recognize gay marriage, but the country has been progressing since the homosexual activity was decriminalized in 1980s. Between 2007 and 2008, the Constitutional Court made three rulings that gave same-sex couples the same pension, social security, inheritance and property rights as heterosexual couples.

The bill making the rounds has a time limit. If the Congress does not pass a  “comprehensive, systematic and orderly legislation” by June 20, 2013, same-sex couples will automatically be granted all marriage rights. Their ruling held that the Colombian Constitution which defined a marriage between ‘man and woman’ does not “’imply a prohibition against a legal bond between homosexuals, similar or equal to that of the heterosexual couples.”

While the courts have been supportive, it seems unlikely that the legislature will be able to find a solution and the court’s ruling will take effect. According to Augusto Posada the Speaker of the House “the issue is not going, because I have not seen any initiative from the pews to pull it off,” indicating that religious opposition  may have something to do with senators indecision to find comprehensive legislation. Previously, six different bills attempting to legalize same-sex marriage have been proposed and defeated, with religious conservatives remaining opposed to any such legislation.

According to opposition within the Senate some believe that homosexuals cannot constitute a marriage or family, and if new legislation would grant those abilities as well as the ability to adopt would be the gateway to legitimatized pedophilia. While parts of the arguments seem archaic, Conservative party spokesman is weary of allowing the courts to dictate laws. Senator Hernán Andrade has called for the bill be put to a referendum, and see whether the citizens would support the bill.

According to polls taken back in 2010, Colombians seemingly support marriage equality, with 63% of Bogota supporting gay marriage.

For more information, please see:

El Tiempo – If There Is No Law, Gay Unions Would Be Entitled To Only Solemn – 23 March 2013

RCN Radio – Colombia Will Not marriages of Same-Sex Couples – 24 March 2013

Edge On The Net – Colombian High Court Stands Firm On Gay Rights Support – 13 March 2013

Gay Star News – Gay Marriage Bill Passes First Vote In Colombia – 5 December 2012

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