December 20, 2017
Bolivia
- “Bolivia y China Firman Protocolo de Donacion Logistica a Favor de ff.aa.” (Agencia Boliviana de Noticias (Bolivia), December 20, 2017).
El embajador de China en Bolivia, Liang Yu y el ministro de Defensa Reymi Ferreira, firmaron el miércoles un protocolo de donación de material logístico a las Fuerzas Armadas (FF.AA.) por un valor de 50 millones de yuanes (equivalente a unos 7,6 millones de dólares)
Colombia
- “Comenzo el Dialogo Entre Comision de la Verdad y las Fuerzas Armadas” (El Tiempo (Colombia), December 20, 2017).
El padre Francisco de Roux, presidente de la comisión, encabezó una reunión de esa instancia con el ministro de Defensa, Luis Carlos Villegas; el comandante de las Fuerzas Militares, general Alberto Mejía, y los comandantes
- “Asi Es la Ruta para la Proteccion de Lideres Sociales y del Partido de las Farc” (Semana (Colombia), December 20, 2017).
Cuando la Defensoría emita una alerta temprana de “riesgo de inminencia” el Gobierno tendrá que actuar en un plazo máximo de 48 horas. El decreto ya está siendo ejecutado
- Eduardo Briceno Florez, “Las Cifras del Cese Que Recibe Bell” (La Silla Vacia (Colombia), December 20, 2017).
Estas son algunas cifras que vale la pena tener en mente de estos 81 días de tensa calma
- “Ligerezas Verbales del Ministro de Defensa Exponen a Lideres Sociales” (Verdad Abierta (Colombia), December 20, 2017).
La Oficina en Colombia del Alto Comisionado de las Naciones Unidas para los Derechos Humanos también manifestó su preocupación por las palabras del Ministro de Defensa y las calificó de peligrosas
- “Onu Derechos Humanos Expresa Preocupacion por Homicidios, Estigmatizacion y Hostigamientos a Defensores y Defensoras de Derechos Humanos en Colombia” (UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Colombia Field Office, December 20, 2017).
De acuerdo con nuestro trabajo en terreno, la Oficina ha verificado durante este año y hasta hoy 20 de diciembre, en el caso de defensores de derechos humanos y líderes un total de 105 homicidios
Colombia, Venezuela
- Anggy Polanco, “Desperate Venezuelans Peddle Wares Door-to-Door in Colombia to Survive” (Reuters **, December 20, 2017).
The flood of vendors is evidence of how a fourth year of recession – which has fomented malnutrition, disease and violent crime – is tearing Venezuela’s social fabric apart
Honduras
- “Honduras: Human Rights Experts Condemn Measures Against Protesters and Media” (Organization of American States, December 20, 2017).
“We are alarmed by the illegal and excessive use of force to disperse protests, which have resulted in the deaths of at least 12 protesters and left dozens injured. Hundreds of people have also been detained, many of whom have been transferred to military installations where they have been brutally beaten and subjected to torture and other forms of ill-treatment”
- Elisabeth Malkin, “U.S. Leans Toward Incumbent in Honduras, Despite Disputed Result” (The New York Times, December 20, 2017).
The United States appears to have thrown its weight behind President Juan Orlando Hernández of Honduras
- “U.S. Sees No Evidence to Alter Honduras Election: U.S. Official” (Reuters **, December 20, 2017).
“At this point … we have not seen anything that alters the final result,” the official told reporters, saying Washington may wait to make a definitive judgment in case the opposition presents additional evidence of fraud
Honduras, Mexico
- Gabriel Stargardter, “Mexico to Recognize Honduran President Winner of Disputed Election: Sources” (Reuters **, December 20, 2017).
Mexico’s announcement was brokered in coordination with the United States, two sources who spoke on condition of anonymity said
Mexico
- Azam Ahmed, J. Jesus Esquivel, “Mexico Graft Inquiry Deepens With Arrest of a Presidential Ally” (The New York Times, December 20, 2017).
The former deputy, Alejandro Gutiérrez, is one of several allies of Mexico’s president suspected of taking part in an embezzlement scheme to propel his party’s chances
Peru
- “Editorial: Ousting Peru’s President Would Do More Harm Than Good” (The Washington Post, December 20, 2017).
Mr. Kuczynski has handled the Odebrecht affair poorly, but his removal would do only more damage to Peruvian democracy
- Andrea Zarate, Nicholas Casey, “Peru Leader Could Be Biggest to Fall in Latin America Graft Scandal” (The New York Times, December 20, 2017).
On Thursday, Mr. Kuczynski will have 60 minutes to defend himself before the country’s Congress. His critics say they could oust him by the weekend — and that they have the votes
- Julieta Pelcastre, “Operation Tenacious Strikes Narcoterrorism in the Vraem” (Revista Dialogo (U.S. Southern Command), December 20, 2017).
A joint operation of Peru’s military and security agencies neutralized and captured narcoterrorists in the Apurímac, Ene, and Mantaro Rivers Valley
Venezuela
- Ana Vanessa Herrero, “Venezuela Puts Up Roadblock for Opposition in Next Presidential Vote” (The New York Times, December 20, 2017).
Lawmakers adopted a decree declaring that political parties that want to participate in coming elections must have been active in previous ones
- Juan Forero, Maolis Castro, “Venezuela’s Brutal Crime Crackdown: Executions, Machetes and 8,292 Dead” (The Wall Street Journal, December 20, 2017).
Her office recorded the slayings of 8,292 people by the police, the National Guard, the army and Venezuela’s version of the FBI, from 2015 through the first six months of this year
- Alexandra Ulmer, Fabian Cambero, “Venezuela’s Maduro Says ‘Terrorists’ Stole Weapons From Military Unit” (Reuters **, December 20, 2017).
Oscar Perez, a rogue Venezuelan police pilot wanted for lobbing grenades and shooting at government buildings in June, claimed responsibility for the attack, which he called “Operation Genesis”