Feature Archives

2/13: Bolivia finds itself on the brink of civil war, as violent clashes have occurred between striking police officers and the country's military. As many as 14 people have been killed and scores wounded, with angry Bolivians taking to the streets in La Paz, Cochabamba, and elsewhere in protest of the continued economic and social inequities they suffer on a daily basis at the hands of the rich.

Yesterday evening, the proposed income tax increases, said to be necessary due to the exhorbitant payments due to global capitalism's great white loan shark, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), were called off by President Sánchez de Lozada and the military ordered to retreat. Military planes continued to circle overhead. A general strike, demonstrations, and blockades are being called for today.

Like much of América Latina, Bolivia has suffered greatly at the hands of its government and multinational corporations, aided and abetted, naturally, by the policies of the US government.

IMC Bolivia | In Defense of Life and Democracy | IMC Argentina reports from the streets: 1 | 2 | 3 - Photos: 1 | 2 | 3 | Narconews

* Argentina: Factories are still being occupied and roads blockaded as the struggle against the IMF and economic disaster continues.

* Colombia: Union leaders are being murdered with impunity; Right-wing paramilitaries cross into Panama. ZNet's Colombia Watch

* El Salvador: Activists in New York and San Francisco shut down Salvadoran Consulates on 2/6, demanding an end to privatization and to negotiations for the Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA.) The action was in support of striking doctors and healthcare workers and coincided with an anti-privatization march of tens of thousands in San Salvador. Committee in Solidarity with the People of El Salvador: Nat'l - Bay Area

* Venezuela: The middle- and upper-class strike has mostly stopped, with opponents of Hugo Chavez turning toward petitions to try to oust the president. Still afraid of the poor and social justice, rich people seem to be readying for a continued class war. Anti-Chavez All the Time | The politics of Venezuela's media | Narconews

Argentina 12/20/2003: A bomb went off in a demonstration of around 50,000 people remembering the Argentine popular uprising of 2001. The bomb was placed in a metal rubbish bin in the centre of the plaza as the demonstration passed. 23 people were injured, two seriously. The march was one of many throughout the country over the days of the 19th and 20th involving an array of groups called to remember the more than 30 people killed during the rebellion and the fall of President Fernando De La Rua's government. Argentina Indymedia

The Chiapas Support Committee held a new year's eve celebration on 12/31/2003 to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the EZLN uprising which occurred on January 1st, 1994. The event was at the Humanist Hall in Oakland. The event was a benefit for the Zapatista communities, with all proceeds of the evening going directly to the sister municipio of San Manuel.

Recent Zapatista Communiques Regarding Re-Organization | Plan Realidad-Tijuana, Marcos' alternative to the Plan Puebla Panama | Chiapas Indymedia

>>>URGENT Update & Photos Here
>>>Detailed Summary & Background Info Here
The town of Tlalnepantla, Morelos, Mexico, declared itself autonomous as the Zapatista communities of Chiapas, Mexico celebrated the 10 year anniversary of their uprising. On 1/14 nearly 1500 riot police armed with assault rifles stormed the town to evict the autonomous government from Tlalnepantla. Snipers and police gunmen filled the air with bullets, beat women and men over 80 years of age, and left two dead, many wounded and scores of people disappeared and as of yet unaccounted for.
Details | Democracy Now! Coverage | Call the Mexican Consulate | Chiapas Indymedia

Interview with Al Giordano: Indybay IMC has interviewed Al Giordano, of Narco News, about the Venezuelan coup attempt, the media's complicity in the coup, and perspectives on how we can stop them. Read the Interview

After carrying out a two-week "national strike," or lock-out, and despite a helping hand from Associated Press and other media agencies, the Venezuelan elite has so far failed to force populist President Chavez to resign. In implementing reforms which benefit primarily the poor, Chavez has inspired well-funded opposition by oil barons and other business leaders, union bureaucrats and portions of the military, with the complicity of corporate media. Thousands of Venezuela's poor have rushed into the streets to prevent the "coup of the rich."

The Organization of American States has voted overwhelmingly to reject any future coup attempt in Venezuela or alteration of that nation's constitution. US religious and labor organizations and some members of Congress have asked President Bush, who had previously called for unconstitutional "early elections," to support democracy by opposing any move to oust Chavez by force. In San Francisco on 12/18, around 50 protesters gathered at noon at the Venezuelan consulate to show support for Chavez and the Venezuelan democratic process. Photos Read more: 1 2 3

11/1: Activists staged a "die-in" at the Colombian consulate in San Francisco on 10/30 in protest of Plan Colombia and US intervention in Colombia. Four demonstrators were arrested after they blocked the building's entrances, hoping to call attention to the paramilitary death squads that the $1.3 billion plan would likely fund, though the US and Colombian government's public relations flaks are working overtime to disguise under the banner of the "War on Terrorism." Video & report | IMC Colombia | ZNet's Colombia Watch | Chomsky interview | Narconews | Colombian Labor Monitor