tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25276760782536612422011-07-07T20:26:03.752-07:00An Information Source on Canada-Colombia Relations (and more!) by the La Chiva CollectiveLa Chivahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07869790713199693256noreply@blogger.comBlogger1511100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2527676078253661242.post-55721808952641278002010-02-25T21:47:00.000-08:002010-02-25T21:55:33.017-08:00

Greetings,We are saddened by the news we received yesterday, that our friend and compañero Andrés Muelas was murdered on Tuesday night as he was returning home on his motorcycle in Northern Cauca, Colombia. It is uncertain who was responsible, but it was nonetheless a senseless act representative of the senselessness of war. We share the communique below in English and the following words in

Vancouvernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2527676078253661242.post-68047280097080404652010-01-18T11:45:00.000-08:002010-01-18T11:52:44.380-08:00

We share this analysis of the evolving situation in Haiti by Dr. Manuel Rozental (Translation by Dan Whitesell)...Haiti: Assistance and Strategic ResistanceFriends,I ask you to please read this text, and I sincerely thank you for taking interest in this critical issue. Through these messages I would like to share my analysis, propose a general plan and ask for your help and orientation, as well

Vancouvernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2527676078253661242.post-14214929930881192422009-11-20T17:46:00.000-08:002009-11-20T17:49:31.985-08:00

Greetings,Please find below (in English and Spanish) an urgent action on the continued aggression against indigenous communities in Colombia. Three leaders murdered in the past few weeks in Cerro Tijeras! It is especially important that you act now, as the Liberals and Conservatives in Canada are using every trick possible to try to push through ratification of the Canada-Colombia FTA by

Vancouvernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2527676078253661242.post-5231267259777639422009-11-05T07:14:00.000-08:002009-11-05T07:18:03.179-08:00

By Micheál Ó Tuathail and Manuel RozentalLast fall, Colombia’s social and popular movements captured the world’s attention. Emerging initially from the indigenous territories in Northern Cauca and expanding to unite diverse sectors, the Social and Community Minga burst onto the national and international scene with a popular agenda for radical change, a “country of the peoples without owners."

Vancouvernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2527676078253661242.post-36915595547237322972009-11-05T07:04:00.000-08:002009-11-05T07:12:14.312-08:00

Interview by Redeye Radio, Vancouver Re-published on Rabble.ca November 2, 2009Check out this 15 minute audio interview with journalist Dawn Paley on the Canada-Colombia FTA on Redeye Radio.Listen to the interview on Rabble.ca:http://www.rabble.ca/podcasts/shows/redeye/2009/11/tories-trying-push-through-canada-colombia-fta** Show Notes: A bill to

Vancouvernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2527676078253661242.post-55925254648264554282009-10-27T15:44:00.000-07:002009-10-27T16:03:29.665-07:00

Santiago de Cali, 22 October 2009 The below-signed organisations reject the threats and persecution which is being levelled against diverse organisations all over Colombia, in particular organisations which are part of the Minga of Social and Communitarian Resistence. Today, October 22nd 2009, a threat arrived by fax to the offices of the trade union central CUT Valle. Signed by the ‘Black

Vancouvernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2527676078253661242.post-10987684803772969022009-10-20T15:45:00.000-07:002009-10-20T16:07:52.693-07:00

At the recent MTV Latin America awards ceremony, 'Residente', of the Puerto Rican group Calle 13, showed up in a shirt that read "Uribe Para Bases Militares" (Uribe, Stop the Military Bases). The design of the shirt offered a double meaning: "Uribe Paramilitar" (Uribe: Paramilitary).While it's not sure which meaning was more offensive to the Colombian government, as either express equally damning

Vancouvernoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2527676078253661242.post-26401667912003964012009-10-18T06:11:00.000-07:002009-10-18T06:15:04.706-07:00

Hello friends,The Pre-Congress of the Social and Community Minga was held in the Coliseo del Pueblo in Cali from October 13 - 16. The event brought together indigenous, Afro-Colombian and other social sectors from southwest Colombia to elaborate on how to carry forward the word and action of the Minga's five-point agenda, first articulated in the Indigenous and Popular Mandate of 2004 and brought

Vancouvernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2527676078253661242.post-63176976103085961392009-10-10T09:24:00.000-07:002009-10-10T09:36:35.241-07:00

Hello readers,Please find below the text of the latest action alert put out by the Council of Canadians. It remains urgent that people in Canada voice their opposition to the Canada-Colombia FTA, as the agreement is moving through parliament and back to the committee phase. We have to stall this as long as possible.With the possible calling of an election, C-23 (the implementing legislation of

Vancouvernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2527676078253661242.post-60344807622170938892009-10-10T08:48:00.000-07:002009-10-10T08:51:34.867-07:00

Colombian Action Network in Response to ‘Free Trade’, RECALCA Webpage: www.recalca.org.co Email: recalca@etb.net.co Indigenous Territory of Toez - Caloto, 29 September, 2009 ON THE TERRITORIAL MINGA OF THOUGHT: ECONOMY-ENVIRONMENT Between the 28th and 30th of September, hundreds of indigenous peoples from the Association of Indigenous Councils of Northern Cauca (ACIN), Colombia,

Vancouvernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2527676078253661242.post-17562475069957000252009-10-07T16:11:00.000-07:002009-10-07T16:15:28.137-07:00

By Stuart Trewhttp://www.canadians.org/tradeblog/?p=428 Debate on the Canada-Colombia Free Trade Agreement, and attached environmental and labour side-agreements, is drawing to a conclusion in the House of Commons. Tonight, Liberal and Conservative MPs voted against an NDP sub-amendment to a Bloc amendment, both of which would stop the FTA from going to second reading, essentially killing

Vancouvernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2527676078253661242.post-1055363516019823552009-09-30T13:20:00.000-07:002009-09-30T14:44:06.016-07:00

By Micheál Ó Tuathail, 30 September 2009I spent a good part of the other week watching the performances of Liberals and Conservatives in the Canadian House of Commons as they debated Bill C-23, implementing legislation of the Canada-Colombia Free Trade Agreement (CCFTA). With a looming election, one might have expected some attempt to meaningfully distinguish the parties from one another, even on

Vancouvernoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2527676078253661242.post-41894018701954301632009-09-16T15:59:00.000-07:002009-09-16T16:47:15.850-07:00

Written by Noam ChomskyOriginally published in In These Times, September 9, 2009The United States was founded as an “infant empire,” in the words of George Washington. The conquest of the national territory was a grand imperial venture. From the earliest days, control over the hemisphere was a critical goal. Latin America has retained its primacy in U.S. global planning. If the United States

Vancouvernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2527676078253661242.post-77630778798751783742009-07-28T20:08:00.000-07:002009-07-28T20:17:29.104-07:00

Senator Jorge Robledo, Bogotá, July 11, 2009As we now know, the government is secretly planning --without consulting the Foreign Relations Advisory Commission, Congress or particularly public opinion-- to grant concessions to the United States to use five Colombian military bases, one of the worst decisions in the country's history. Two of the bases are on the Caribbean coast (Cartagena and

Vancouvernoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2527676078253661242.post-47739491216085077942009-07-13T21:00:00.000-07:002009-07-13T21:02:15.909-07:00

We share this article by Ashley Holly. It excellently outlines some of the reasons why Canada remains one of the most zealous supporters of war, the destruction of the planet, and military coups d'etat, most recently in Honduras.We encourage you to read on, for everyday the myth of 'Canada the good' is exposed for what it is. Those of us living in Canada should be aware of the shame Canadian

Vancouvernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2527676078253661242.post-71439764768012603542009-07-08T13:09:00.001-07:002009-07-08T22:51:30.886-07:00

La Chiva (with the help of many friends) has begun a major fundraising campaign in Vancouver to support of the Tejido de Comunicación of the Association of Indigenous Councils of Northern Cauca, Colomba (http://www.nasaacin.org).The Tejido has asked for our help in raising funds to repair the equipment for Radio Pa-Yumat, their community radio station, which was destroyed last December by unknown

Vancouvernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2527676078253661242.post-3422632571208217022009-06-27T13:27:00.000-07:002009-06-27T13:51:16.274-07:00

La Chiva (and friends) are winding up for a major fundraising campaign in support of the Tejido de Comunicación of the Association of Indigenous Councils of Northern Cauca (ACIN).We'll be holding two salsa events in Vancouver and film screenings in cities across western Canada to raise awareness, support and funds for the courageous indigenous communicators.The film we'll be showing at those

La Chivahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07869790713199693256noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2527676078253661242.post-69437565567100690242009-06-24T23:55:00.001-07:002009-06-24T23:58:14.803-07:00

Jorge Enrique RobledoSenator of the Polo Democrático Alternativo, ColombiaMingas-FTAThe Prosecutor General of Colombia , Alejandro Ordóñez, has decided to conduct a preliminary investigation against me "for alleged ties with illegal groups". The reason? His office received a request from the National Police because, according to them, my name appears in the computer of slain guerrilla leader Raul

Vancouvernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2527676078253661242.post-49759195348946329382009-06-24T23:46:00.000-07:002009-06-24T23:53:06.295-07:00

By Michelle CollinsJune 17, 2009Embassy MagazineMONTREAL—Gone was the talk of promoting human rights, providing opportunities for prosperity and, as a result, the strengthening of democracy and stability in a wartorn land. Instead, during a press conference with visiting Colombian President Alvaro Uribe in Ottawa last week, Prime Minister Stephen Harper took a different tack in spelling out why

Vancouvernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2527676078253661242.post-61901591742640019652009-06-17T21:56:00.000-07:002009-06-17T22:56:37.940-07:00

On June 2, 2009, we published a note that was a call for ceremonies to stop the Canada-Colombia FTA. It was initiated by several friends of ours in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, where a group of students has engaged with this struggle and the process of weaving solidarity among the peoples in minga -- a minga of the peoples without owners. While much of the efforts of civil society groups and

Vancouvernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2527676078253661242.post-77626039969379706692009-06-12T16:07:00.000-07:002009-06-13T18:49:56.407-07:00

By RECALCA (Colombian Action Network in Response to Free Trade)Bogotá, June 11, 2009 We send out this alert to the international community, to governments and parliaments around the world, to unions, social movements and human rights organizations to call attention to the dangerous situation we are experiencing in Colombia. The government of Alvaro Uribe has systematically increased its attacks

Vancouvernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2527676078253661242.post-47159204893316932362009-06-11T19:42:00.000-07:002009-06-11T19:53:21.777-07:00

Dear Allies, Indigenous communities in Peru have been holding peaceful protests since April 9 to condemn new laws that would allow for the rapid industrialization of the Amazon rainforest. These laws were put in place by the Peruvian government to further facilitate its proposed free trade agreements with Canada and the United States. Over 30,000 Indigenous protesters have blocked roads,

Vancouvernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2527676078253661242.post-19841998253439869692009-06-09T23:05:00.000-07:002009-06-10T10:25:54.709-07:00

By La Chiva Collective and Pueblos en CaminoJune 9, 2009It’s time again for another installment of our bulletin. In this edition, we update on the stalling of the Canada-Colombia FTA; the Conservative and Liberal parties rolling out the red carpet for Colombia’s President Uribe this week in Canada; continued pressure from indigenous, civil society and labour organizations; and the horrific news

Vancouvernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2527676078253661242.post-23601366361380754492009-06-07T10:15:00.000-07:002009-06-07T10:17:54.749-07:00

By Jorge Enrique RobledoColombian Senator31 May 2009Tomás and Jerónimo, the twenty something sons of Colombian president Álvaro Uribe, got rich as a result of the decisions of a mayor and high-ranking officials in their father's government. It's a clear case of favoritism and illegalities committed in their favor. And they got very rich, to the tune of billions of pesos [millions of dollars]:

Vancouvernoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2527676078253661242.post-24304440553605051432009-06-06T11:01:00.000-07:002009-06-06T11:03:00.754-07:00

PRESS RELEASE – JUNE 10, 2009, Montreal -Canada.FROM: Colombia Action and Solidarity Network (ASOCOLOM)As Colombians living in Canada, we hereby express our indignation at the presence in Canada of the current President of Colombia, Álvaro Uribe Vélez, who has been invited by the government of Canada. We consider this an affront to the defense and protection of Universal Human Rights, given that

Vancouvernoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2527676078253661242.post-29330675024127070032009-06-05T14:25:00.001-07:002009-06-05T14:28:31.079-07:00

Vancouvernoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2527676078253661242.post-67832670580619914282009-06-04T11:16:00.000-07:002009-06-04T11:33:11.476-07:00

Below is one of the most comprehensive, readable and compelling analyses of the Canada-Colombia FTA debate so far. This piece should be required reading for those seeking to understand why Canada is pursuing an FTA with Colombia##The Canada-Colombia Free Trade Agreement: Questions and AnswersBy Justin Podur, June 3, 2009[This piece was originally published on Justin's blog: http://

Vancouvernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2527676078253661242.post-71309459771691571992009-06-02T09:41:00.001-07:002009-06-02T10:04:23.102-07:00

Hello Friends,The movement in opposition to the Canada-Colombia FTA has been growing across Canada, Colombia and the United States. The pressure to halt the legislation in Canadian parliament has served to divide opinions within the Liberal Party and, for the time being, remove this debate from the parliamentary agenda. While we celebrate this success we do not do so in silence or complacency.

La Chivahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07869790713199693256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2527676078253661242.post-24250561787675609262009-05-30T10:20:00.000-07:002009-05-30T11:45:13.861-07:00

May 28, 1:00PM on Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff's 'Twitter' page:"Met with Colombia’s Foreign Affairs Minister. Had a frank discussion about human rights in his country."A note hardly worth posting to the blog, right? Well, there's a lot in there.First, the "frank discussion about human rights" granted Colombian Foreign Minister Bermúdez was earlier that day denied Colombian human rights

Vancouvernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2527676078253661242.post-34293465929822569282009-05-30T10:05:00.000-07:002009-05-30T10:18:00.854-07:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MAY 29, 2009 COLOMBIAN HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVIST TURNED AWAY FROM TRADE COMMITTEE: Marston arranges for testimony in alternate committee OTTAWA – New Democrat Human Rights Critic Wayne Marston had to facilitate the testimony of renowned human rights activist Yessika Hoya Morales after she was turned away from the International

Vancouvernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2527676078253661242.post-42353298853111434112009-05-28T01:53:00.000-07:002009-05-28T02:30:52.411-07:00

May 27, 2009A joint statement from the La Chiva Collective, Pueblos en Camino, and Mingas-FTAPublic pressure has forced a victory in the fight to stop the Canada-Colombia Free Trade Agreement (CCFTA). Sources from Canada’s three opposition parties have confirmed that the ruling Conservative Party has removed Bill C-23, implementing legislation for the Canada-Colombia Free Trade Agreement, from

La Chivahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07869790713199693256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2527676078253661242.post-55472016159509505412009-05-22T20:14:00.000-07:002009-05-22T20:20:32.507-07:00

Hello friends,We have learned that Canadian parliament will debate Bill C-23, implementing legislation for the Canada-Colombia Free Trade Agreement, this coming Monday, May 25. The Liberal Party of Canada, and its new leader, Michael Ignatieff, have expressed their support for the Harper Conservatives on this issue and are on the verge of making a serious mistake.To convince you to act now, we

Vancouvernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2527676078253661242.post-91209178466265339102009-05-16T09:43:00.000-07:002009-05-17T16:54:48.270-07:00

Written by Samantha Bayard, Straight Goods NewsMay 6, 2009Union leaders and MPs say Canadians will have to compete against people who face death if they try to improve working conditions. function Caption(src) { src.title="Hassan Yussuff of the CLC explains the dire consquences Colombian workers face if they form unions."; return; } Ottawa, May 6, 2009 — A Parliament Hill

Vancouvernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2527676078253661242.post-25112246049280154182009-05-14T17:23:00.000-07:002009-05-14T17:28:38.541-07:00

Written by International Trade Union ConfederationBrussels, 12 May 2009 (ITUC OnLine): The ITUC has strongly condemned and denounced the murders in April and May of five trade union activists dedicated to improving the lot of workers in Colombia.The national, regional and international trade union movements have joined with the three Colombian union confederations, CUT, CGT and CTC, in their

Vancouvernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2527676078253661242.post-73886258607248500882009-05-13T11:55:00.000-07:002009-05-13T12:03:29.913-07:00

Written by La Chiva Collective, Canada13 May 2009Actions against the Canada-Colombia Free Trade Agreement (CCFTA) have increased over recent weeks. We provide a bulletin summary of some recent news below.* As horrific news floods in on the multinational banana industry and the Colombian government's collusion with paramilitary death squads, Britain is diverting its funding of the Colombian

Vancouvernoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2527676078253661242.post-59944365993676735582009-04-29T17:34:00.001-07:002009-04-29T17:38:29.707-07:00

See you on Friday in Vancouver!La Chiva

Vancouvernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2527676078253661242.post-44704981715159466222009-04-28T10:39:00.000-07:002009-04-28T10:44:08.801-07:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEVANCOUVER, April 27, 2009 – Civil society organizations and individuals from across the Americas and Europe are calling on Canadian parliamentarians to halt the ratification of the Canada-Colombia Free Trade Agreement. MINGAS-FTA, a transnational coalition of individuals, academics and organizations opposed to agreements like the Canada-Colombia FTA, faxed

Vancouvernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2527676078253661242.post-14179006879368840412009-04-27T11:13:00.000-07:002009-04-27T11:26:44.784-07:00

By Stewart Vriesinga, Sunday April 26th, 2009In some circles –and I must include Canada’s Prime Minister Harper here—the human rights situation in Colombia has greatly improved, and Colombia has entered a post conflict era. Colombian victims of ongoing violence, however, strongly disagree. Colombia’s traditional victims of violence continue to be the victims of death threats, mass displacement,

Vancouvernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2527676078253661242.post-82017197234753962132009-04-24T10:58:00.000-07:002009-04-24T11:44:53.356-07:00

By La Chiva Collective (and friends)April 24, 2009Over the past several weeks, trouble has been brewing for Canada’s Conservative and Liberal parties over their support for the ratification of the Canadian government’s Free Trade Agreement with Colombia. A transnational peoples’ response to the Canada-Colombia FTANegotiated entirely behind closed doors and in defiance of the recommendations of

Vancouvernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2527676078253661242.post-3547948388968072412009-04-24T00:20:00.000-07:002009-04-24T00:26:56.908-07:00

The following was circulated by Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT) on 23 April, 2009. We join in this condemnation of violence and aggression against FEDEAGROMISBOL and social organizations in Colombia.La Chiva.The undersigned organizations wrote the following release in response to the assassination of EDGAR MARTINEZ RUIZ on Wednesday, April 22, 2009, in what is clearly yet another attempt to

Vancouvernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2527676078253661242.post-74825008467772619422009-04-24T00:05:00.000-07:002009-04-24T00:10:36.973-07:00

Ottawa, 20 April 2009To Colombian social organizations and Colombian public figures:In the name of Mr. Gilles Duceppe, Member of Parliament for Laurier-Sainte-Marie and leader of the Bloc Quebecois, we acknowledge receiving your email of 15 April regarding the Canada-Colombia Free Trade Agreement.Like you, the Bloc Quebecois is concerned about the implications of signing a Free Trade

Vancouvernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2527676078253661242.post-30110480768602304022009-04-21T17:11:00.000-07:002009-04-21T17:21:49.921-07:00

Please find below the text of a letter sent by four Canadian unions representing over one million Canadian workers expressing their opposition to the Canada-Colombia FTA. The leaders of these unions visited Colombia in the summer of 2008, and (unlike members of the parliamentary Standing Committee on International Trade) ACTUALLY LEFT BOGOTA! Their reflections from that trip are made clear in the

Vancouvernoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2527676078253661242.post-31188248238144738382009-04-21T15:29:00.000-07:002009-04-21T15:33:34.765-07:00

Written by Dawn Paley, Originally published at her Dominion blog, 21 April 2009Since the Canada-Colombia Free Trade Agreement was tabled on March 26th, people across Canada have been getting the word out and showing their opposition to the deal. Popular rejection of the deal has spread far and wide, and has even reached Prime Minister Harper. "There is a view in some groups that they don't like

Vancouvernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2527676078253661242.post-26033032384077153482009-04-21T13:40:00.000-07:002009-04-21T13:55:44.920-07:00

Bogotá, April 20, 2009To:Michael Ignatieff, Leader of the Liberal Party.Jack Layton, Leader of the New Democratic Party.Stephen Harper, Prime Minister of Canada and Leader of the Conservative Party.Gilles Duceppe, Leader of the Bloc Quebecois.Copied to the Members of the Standing Committee on International Trade:Liberal Party: John Cannis, Scott Brison, Mario Silva.New Democratic Party: Peter

maríahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03080242892475300742noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2527676078253661242.post-21030908506121008912009-04-17T16:16:00.000-07:002009-04-21T13:56:25.572-07:00

By La Chiva, April 17, 2009Twenty-one days to make our voices against free trade with Colombia heardOver the last two weeks, people across Canada and Colombia have mobilized in order to show their rejection of the Canada-Colombia Free Trade Agreement (FTA). Though there are only a handful of organizations in Canada dedicated to informing Canadians about bilateral trade agreements, friends of

maríahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03080242892475300742noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2527676078253661242.post-83939414296704284212009-04-17T12:42:00.000-07:002009-04-17T12:43:49.642-07:00

Dear friends:The Canadian Parliament is about to consider ratification of a “free trade” agreement with Colombia. The text of the agreement is nearly identical to the US-Colombia trade agreement and would have the same kinds of disastrous consequences for millions of Colombians.We in the Mingas collective are in the midst of a campaign to convince the Canadian Parliament to reject the agreement.

Vancouvernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2527676078253661242.post-68920456776657461622009-04-17T12:32:00.000-07:002009-04-17T12:34:59.224-07:00

Greetings,For those of you in the Vancouver area, we are posting two FREE events planned for this weekend in Vancouver, BC on Colombia. Given the advancing (but stoppable!) ratification of the Canada-Colombia Free Trade Agreement in the Canadian Parliament -- an agreement with the sole purpose of absolving a regime of its crimes against its own people through the use of Canada's (highly

Vancouvernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2527676078253661242.post-55766181112556672612009-04-12T16:02:00.000-07:002009-04-12T16:05:54.074-07:00

By GUY TAILLEFER, originally published in Le Devoir, April 9, 2009.Translated by La Chiva.The Coalition SOS Colombia is mobilizing to try and convince the Federal Parliament not to ratify the Canada-Colombia Free Trade Agreement, negotiated by the governments of Stephen Harper and Alvaro Uribe. The fifty members of the coalition of unionists and human rights organizations that held a

maríahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03080242892475300742noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2527676078253661242.post-16540580026235821772009-04-11T09:03:00.000-07:002009-04-11T09:11:33.530-07:00

By Senator Jorge Enrique Robledo,Bogotá -- April 3, 2009 Every State has the duty and the right to militarily confront those who illegally take up arms against it. Although increased spending on arms and training does tend to improve a military's combat capability, as can be seen by looking at what's happened in Colombia in recent years, at the same time this doesn't mean that the ends

Vancouvernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2527676078253661242.post-64186212898752800102009-04-05T10:58:00.000-07:002009-04-05T11:23:27.071-07:00

Hello Friends,As the Canadian government, with Liberal Party support, engages in shameful attempts to cover up and deflect criticism of its closest ally in the Andes -- all in the hopes of ratifying the Canada-Colombia Free Trade Agreement for Canadian mining, oil and gas companies, the banks, and let's not forget Republicans in the US -- we are sharing the following communique sent to us by our

Vancouvernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2527676078253661242.post-1767201268972871752009-04-03T09:59:00.001-07:002009-04-03T10:20:17.921-07:00

On March 26, 2009, the Harper Conservatives tabled the Canada-Colombia Free Trade Agreement in the Canadian House of Commons (CCFTA). Several key Liberal Party members have expressed their support for the agreement, the success of which will depend on a Liberal-Conservative alliance.Over the coming weeks, we will be increasing the pressure on representatives in Ottawa and building grassroots

Vancouvernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2527676078253661242.post-64575192215488653152009-03-15T16:56:00.000-07:002009-03-15T17:05:57.544-07:00

Written by Tejido de Comunicación y Relaciones Externas (ACIN)March 14, 2009Spanish: http://www.nasaacin.org/noticias.htm?x=9679English: http://www.nasaacin.org/noticias.htm?x=9680Another of our compañeros from the Tejido de Comunicación [Communications Network] of the Association of Indigenous Councils of Northern Cauca (ACIN) is a victim of threats and attacks aimed at silencing us. Hugo Dagua

Vancouvernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2527676078253661242.post-24907891564476042882009-03-08T12:37:00.000-07:002009-03-08T12:46:48.659-07:00

We share the following article written by Justin Podur on the latest attack against the ACIN's Tejido de Comunicación in Northern Cauca.As Justin explains below, this latest defamation, directed against internationally reknowned journalist Holman Morris and Manuel Rozental, the a key collaborator with the Tejido and Colombia's indigenous movement, constitutes yet another threat against the

Vancouvernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2527676078253661242.post-83530682962446027492009-02-22T11:08:00.000-08:002009-04-03T10:26:00.514-07:00

Written by Network of Communication and External Relations for Truth and LifeAssociation of Indigenous Councils of Northern Cauca (ACIN), 12 February 2009. Translated by some people in Canada from the original Spanish text, available here: http://www.nasaacin.org/noticias.htm?x=9550It is overcome by pain and sadness that we write these lines. We write from the shared rage we feel towards this

Vancouvernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2527676078253661242.post-38238768515028943782009-02-11T09:35:00.000-08:002009-02-11T09:39:06.894-08:00

Written by La Chiva, 11 February 2009CAMINEMOS LA PALABRA CON EL TEJIDO DE COMUNICACION!NO ESTAN SOL@S!La indignante y reprochable represión a los medios de comunicación y reporteros alternativos o no afiliados a los monopolios informativos en Colombia, es el pan de cada día. El régimen autoritario acalla cualquier crítica y oposición y pretende silenciar las voces que difunden nuevas propuestas

Vancouvernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2527676078253661242.post-14711065679976441152009-02-07T19:08:00.000-08:002009-02-07T21:00:35.968-08:00

Today, they tried to get Gustavo. With fear, outrage and relief, we denounce the latest attack against the Tejido de Comunicación (Communications Network) of the Association of Indigenous Councils of Northern Cauca (ACIN). As their translated words below this message demonstrate, this attack, which was fortunately only successful enough to instill fear and nothing more, is part of a series of

Vancouvernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2527676078253661242.post-49408770691525234662009-01-26T10:58:00.000-08:002009-04-03T10:26:00.514-07:00

Greetings,The following article by Senator Jorge Enrique Robledo, translated by dear friends of La Chiva, describes the consequence of Canadian mining investment in Colombia (though it could be of any nationality, in any other country). Colombia Goldfields, a Canadian junior company operating under its Colombian subsidiary Mineras de Caldas, has for the past several years threatened to destroy an

Vancouvernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2527676078253661242.post-89856798563892516952008-12-05T13:16:00.000-08:002009-04-03T10:26:00.515-07:00

By Peter Julian, MP, Published in Rabble.ca, December 4, 2008The Harper Government has been very clear in its November Throne Speech. It is moving forward to continue the politics of illusion on international trade. We have seen the results with the NAFTA and the Canada-US Trade agreement (CUFTA). Since their implementation in 1988, these agreements and their accompanying economic policies

Vancouvernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2527676078253661242.post-46072438695225856212008-11-24T09:28:00.000-08:002009-04-03T10:26:00.515-07:00

So it's happened. While the People's Minga unfolded in the Plaza Bolivar of Bogota, the scoundrels met behind closed doors and signed the free trade agreement the people had been demanding they not sign.It is not over, for Harper will have to face what counts for a debate in the Canadian parliament. Let's hope the opposition parties will step up to the plate, like some of them have. Still, it's

Vancouvernoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2527676078253661242.post-84438553482025809022008-11-24T09:27:00.000-08:002009-04-03T10:26:00.515-07:00

November 20, 2008 CongresswomanNANCY PELOSISpeaker of the House of Representatives The network of Colombian organizations that have signed this letter would like to express our thanks and recognition of your concern for and interest in Colombia, in particular in relation to human rights, as expressed by your decision to postpone indefinitely the debate in the US Congress around the Free Trade

Vancouvernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2527676078253661242.post-33899224316224174392008-11-10T11:52:00.000-08:002008-11-10T11:55:04.657-08:00

http://www.nasaacin.org/noticias.htm?x=9126It's one world. Hear us. [ 11/09/2008] [ ] [ Autor: Association of Indigenous Couincils of Northern Cauca ACIN] An Open Letter from the Association of Indigenous Councils of Northern Cauca, ACIN, Cauca, ColombiaDear Mr. President-Elect,First, please accept our sincerest congratulations. We congratulate you for having won because of the noblest

Vancouvernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2527676078253661242.post-74612667067699177412008-10-25T19:45:00.007-07:002008-10-25T19:48:11.707-07:00

Colombia Review: The Minga Continues Colombia Review is a project of Pueblos en Camino and La ChivaFriends,Continuing our previous coverage of the popular and indigenous Minga underway in Colombia, we have compiled a number of articles, communiques and audio and video material for you. This is by no means exhaustive, as new developments are flooding our inboxes every day. Still, we hope this

Vancouvernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2527676078253661242.post-18783768610069536572008-10-25T19:00:00.001-07:002008-10-25T19:04:06.171-07:00

Please forward widely. If you would like to sign on, please send an email to caucasupport@gmail.com or feel free to sign and send on your own copy to the Prime Minister and other relevant ministers.Dear Prime Minister Harper:We are deeply disturbed by reports of violent repression being carried out by the Colombian army against unarmed civilians during the past week’s civilian demonstration

Vancouvernoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2527676078253661242.post-30440329989402549902008-10-24T16:04:00.000-07:002008-10-24T16:12:02.991-07:00

Colombia Review is a compilation of news articles, communiques and audio and video materials (in English and Spanish) that we circulate on our email list. They are a means for synthesizing the huge amount of material we receive on the issues we work on and a way to keep people informed without jamming up their inboxes. We usually mail these out every week or two, but it all depends on the

Vancouvernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2527676078253661242.post-48024473606743448462008-10-24T13:20:00.000-07:002009-04-03T10:26:00.516-07:00

ACIN, translated by Mario A. Murillo,20 October 2008The Minga´s agenda advancing As the mass popular mobilization in Cauca and the rest of Colombia continues, the government of Alvaro Uribe finally addressed the five point agenda of the Popular and Indigenous Minga, a small step forward after over a week of intense military confrontations with the protesters. Yesterday, just before indigenous

Vancouvernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2527676078253661242.post-87967582538263213642008-10-24T12:36:00.000-07:002008-10-24T12:40:29.024-07:00

We, the undersigned MEPs, have been informed about the repression perpetrated against the indigenous demonstrations taking place since October 12th in different Colombian regions, and the murder of 27 indigenous people, the disappearance of many more and the injuring of others. We have also learned about the repression against the sugar cane workers movement which begun in September. We want to

Vancouvernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2527676078253661242.post-39112932238780400312008-10-24T12:19:00.000-07:002008-10-24T12:22:05.114-07:00

Anonymous,La María, Piendamó, Cauca, octubre 21 de 2008La Minga de Resistencia Social y Comunitaria decidió marchar de La María (Piendamó-Cauca) hacia la ciudad de Cali. En ningún momento se pensó ir a Popayán, capital del departamento. Esa decisión tiene razones de gran peso político.La Minga tiene conciencia de que hoy ya no enfrentamos a la vieja clase terrateniente de Popayán. A ella la

Vancouvernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2527676078253661242.post-48667249808872654662008-10-24T10:01:00.000-07:002009-04-03T10:26:00.516-07:00

Over these last days, Mother Earth is once again tinted red with the blood of our indigenous sisters and brothers, a consequence of the brutal and inhumane repression used against them by a government obsessed with silencing all opposition to its neoliberal policies. Álvaro Uribe Vélez, Colombia’s populist dictator, which acts as the agent of national private interests and transnational capital,

Vancouvernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2527676078253661242.post-73476222689328597962008-10-16T22:57:00.001-07:002009-04-03T10:26:00.516-07:00

Written by Association of Indigenous Councils of Northern Cauca16 October 2008The Minga of the People is growing. President Uribe has lied in such an evidently crass manner that even the mainstream media in his service, those dedicated to being his echo, have exposed it. He has repeatedly stated that the police bear only shields and batons, while the indigenous are armed "thugs".The shamelessness

Vancouvernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2527676078253661242.post-90673544470688762302008-10-16T21:55:00.000-07:002009-04-03T10:26:00.517-07:00

No More Terror and Avarice: We propose a new path for the people for a new country. October 16, 2008 Author: Minga of the People What we are proposing today was already presented to the public in September 2004, when we organized the First Indigenous and Popular Congress. They are five basic points that cover many other issues. We have listened with considerable attention to the

Vancouvernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2527676078253661242.post-63927721880711506792008-10-13T15:30:00.000-07:002009-04-03T10:26:00.517-07:00

Association of Indigenous Councils of Northern Cauca, ACINFor Immediate Release: October 13th, 2008Second Day of Indigenous Movement’s Popular Mobilization Begins After Two Indigenous Community Members Were Killed on Day OneMore than 7,000 indigenous activists and representatives of other popular and social sectors of the department of Cauca and the southwest of Colombia continue to congregate

Vancouvernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2527676078253661242.post-44113249495036317052008-10-13T14:39:00.000-07:002009-04-03T10:26:00.518-07:00

The Beehive Collective,5 October 2008 Once again approaching the anniversary of the invasion initiated by Christopher Columbus which is continually mistaken in great offense as the discovery of the continent that today we call America, we bees, compañeras ants and other animals and plants of Abya Yala (South America) have concluded with buzzing from a continual minga of thought. Recognizing that…

Vancouvernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2527676078253661242.post-28694905490444121392008-10-04T09:52:00.000-07:002009-04-03T10:26:00.518-07:00

By Héctor MondragónPresented in Chicago September 5, 2008Greetings to all and my appreciation to those who are present here, to hear my reflections despite my inability to be there with you in person.I’ve had to turn to the help of technological experts to be able to share with you as had been planned.You know that I’ve come to speak about the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the United States

Vancouvernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2527676078253661242.post-62690464471548966392008-10-04T09:46:00.000-07:002009-04-03T10:26:00.518-07:00

Hello Friends:On September 15th, the corteros de caña (sugarcane workers) of Valle del Cauca and Cauca began a strike involving some 18,000 workers. Their decision to strike came as the Sugar Cane Growers' Association (Asocaña) refused to negotiate with them for better pay (they earn roughly $200 per month), shorter hours (they frequently work 14 hour days), a healthier work environment, better

Vancouvernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2527676078253661242.post-28452074377091907832008-10-04T09:38:00.000-07:002008-10-04T09:41:48.205-07:00

We, the undersigned organisations, members of the Network of Solidarity and Friendship with Colombia denounce to the national and international community the deportation from Colombia of Christina Friederika Müller, a German citizen who was providing accompaniment to human rights organisations. We categorically reject this arbitrary and unjust actions carried out by the Colombian Security

Vancouvernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2527676078253661242.post-90296391045259677072008-09-04T16:05:00.000-07:002008-09-04T16:08:49.199-07:00

Dawn Paley, Originally published in Upside Down World, September 4, 2008.During the first two weeks of August, more than two dozen youth were assassinated by suspected paramilitary groups in the streets of Santander de Quilichao, and an extensive death threat was directed to Indigenous groups in the area.In tandem with the rising tide of violence in Cauca, a department in Colombia’s southwest,

maríahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03080242892475300742noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2527676078253661242.post-56505921129860611982008-09-03T22:38:00.000-07:002008-09-03T22:42:10.707-07:00

Hemispheric Social Alliance Bogotá, September 3, 2008 The Colombian daily paper 'El Tiempo', in it's August 29, 2008 edition, published a news item -from the never ending computer files of Raul Reyes- which alleges that it encountered an email written to Hector Mondragon- in which he is addressed in a very familiar way so he appears as a 'comrade of absolute confidence of the FARC'. This is

Vancouvernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2527676078253661242.post-38479876317791757592008-08-31T17:06:00.000-07:002008-08-31T17:10:56.728-07:00

By Justin PodurPueblos en Camino30 August, 2008 I would have preferred to do some kind of letter to the editor, but it won't work. The need to react precisely precludes writing in Spanish, the need to write quickly precludes finding a translator, and the need to explain a great deal precludes the writing of a short letter. This article

Vancouvernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2527676078253661242.post-68224447131438127242008-08-31T16:38:00.000-07:002009-04-03T10:26:00.519-07:00

By Michèal Ó Tuathail30 August 2008 The infamous computer of "Raul Reyes" is once again cited in an article published in the Colombian newspaper El Tiempo to defame people opposed to the regime in that country. This latest article follows another that is aimed at branding all groups working on the Colombia issue from Canada as "linked" to the FARC, again of course, without even remotely

Vancouvernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2527676078253661242.post-36068266988845321312008-08-28T16:57:00.000-07:002008-08-28T16:58:39.602-07:00

COLOMBIA: International Criminal Court Scrutinises Paramilitary CrimesBy Constanza VieiraBOGOTA, Aug 27 (IPS) - The International Criminal Court’s (ICC) chief prosecutor ended a three-day visit to Colombia Wednesday, where he has been investigating who is ultimately responsible for the human rights crimes committed in this civil war-torn country.In the scenario of Colombia’s internal armed

maríahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03080242892475300742noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2527676078253661242.post-76109548437873595442008-08-24T12:51:00.000-07:002008-08-24T12:56:57.704-07:00

A bit of fun on a serious topic. This is a great little video that calls into question the difference between pirates and emperors. If it walks like a duck and acts like a duck...

Vancouvernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2527676078253661242.post-25030848453713389842008-08-24T11:56:00.000-07:002008-08-24T11:59:49.136-07:00

Anastasia Moloney, Originally published in Reuters AlertNet, August 15, 2008.Colombia's decades-long conflict, U.S.-backed anti-drugs measures and resource-hungry multinational companies are pushing the country's indigenous peoples towards extinction. War alone uproots 20,000 Indians from their ancestral homes each year, the United Nations' refugee agency says.From the Arahuacos of the remote

maríahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03080242892475300742noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2527676078253661242.post-8807434564099305012008-08-23T00:37:00.000-07:002008-08-23T00:46:30.630-07:00

An Open Letter to Prime Minister Harper Dear Honourable Stephen Harper, I am mourning the death of a friend and a colleague, Dr. Jacqueline Kirk. Jackie and two other women international aid workers were slain by Taliban forces. The lives of these courageous women, like thousands of Afghan women, were wasted in a senseless conflict where your government is playing a major role in prolonging and

Vancouvernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2527676078253661242.post-51167063276505423332008-08-22T14:59:00.000-07:002008-08-22T15:16:29.922-07:00

Written by Justin Podur, Manuel Rozental and Dawn Paley,Originally published in Pueblos En Camino,22 August, 2008A New York Times article by Simon Romero on August 15 suggested that the International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutor Luis Moreno Ocampo was going to investigate the FARC in Colombia, and its connections to other countries. In the 12-paragraph article, one paragraph (the 10th) noted

La Chivahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07869790713199693256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2527676078253661242.post-20277506441288206002008-08-20T00:18:00.000-07:002008-08-20T00:25:37.881-07:00

[08/19/2008] [ACIN] [ Autor: Manuel Rozental] El régimen que Gobierna a Colombia, acaba de ser objeto de una comunicación de un Fiscal de la Corte Penal Internacional. Es necesario clarificar que al utilizar el término "régimen" nos referimos a mucho más que el Gobierno presidido por Álvaro Uribe. El régimen incluye la institucionalidad Nacional y transnacional, la estructura y flujo de poder,

maríahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03080242892475300742noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2527676078253661242.post-630814518501379662008-08-14T14:15:00.000-07:002008-08-14T14:46:34.638-07:00

So it happens in Canada, too. Regimes murder people, and the best the rest of us can hope for is a hollow apology, symbolic gestures 'making up' for historic wrongs while, in the present, the horror continues. This open letter by Shelley Brant screams for a wake up call, not just for First Nations leaders and the Canadian government but for all of us. She writes, silence means consent as far as I

Vancouvernoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2527676078253661242.post-27154243475021263002008-08-14T10:26:00.000-07:002008-08-14T10:38:57.952-07:00

Dear readers: We are passing along this communique detailing the latest aggression faced by communities in the department of Arauca, Colombia, where it is sadly no surprise that the supposedly 'demobilized' paramilitaries of the AUC have resurfaced (if one could claim that they ever went away in the first place) and murdered 7 people since the 3rd of August. Below the text of the communique is

La Chivahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07869790713199693256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2527676078253661242.post-59048320724725038972008-08-13T11:54:00.000-07:002008-08-13T12:01:17.467-07:00

This short (6:40) video was produced by the Association of Indigenous Councils of Northern Cauca (ACIN) in July 2008. It outlines the context of aggression faced by this community, the context in which threats are made to destabilize local processes of resistance, such as the threat sent to the ACIN just days ago, on 11 August 2008.

Vancouvernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2527676078253661242.post-5449336542741763042008-08-11T21:48:00.000-07:002008-08-12T09:30:29.421-07:00

Earlier this afternoon, the Association of Indigenous Authorities of Northern Cauca (ACIN) received the text of a threat by email, which we are attaching below for you to read. This letter of terror, signed by the CEC (Campesinos Embejucados del Cauca, or ‘Furious Peasants of Cauca’), announces that “at approximately 00:00 tonight, you will receive information regarding the murders at the hands

La Chivahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07869790713199693256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2527676078253661242.post-47185943508964831852008-08-10T09:40:00.000-07:002008-08-10T09:43:51.303-07:00

Dear Readers,There is a petition to the House of Commons being circulated asking the government not to go ahead with the Canada-Colombia Free Trade Agreement. You can download the petition from the website of Peter Julian, an NDP MP who has been active in opposing the deal.Sincerely, María de la Chiva.

maríahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03080242892475300742noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2527676078253661242.post-53807989843891550022008-08-09T06:57:00.000-07:002008-08-09T07:00:55.757-07:00

Written by Constanza Vieira, Originally published in IPS,6 August 2008 Red Cross symbol as seen in video. Credit:Video broadcast by RCN.BOGOTA, Aug 6 (IPS) - "It is a serious matter that members of the armed forces clandestinely leaked news without coordination with their superiors," says a presidential communiqué issued in Colombia after a local TV station broadcast a video on the operation in

Vancouvernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2527676078253661242.post-7922577033447211632008-08-08T17:35:00.000-07:002008-08-08T17:42:51.695-07:00

Congratulations to Juan Lozano, Hollman Morris and their crew for creating a feature length film, Témoin indésirable (Unwanted Testimony) that will be shown in Toronto as part of the Reel to Reel competition.Anybody who is in the Toronto area should try and check out this flick. Click here to see a trailer.From the TIFF website:Témoin indésirable Juan Jose Lozano, Switzerland/FranceNorth American

maríahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03080242892475300742noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2527676078253661242.post-32098020931515869422008-08-08T09:36:00.000-07:002008-08-08T09:50:03.973-07:00

Dear Readers,We share this article, which examines racism and occupation of indigenous lands in the US and Canada, and looks at the participation of mining and resource companies in that occupation. The article notes that Canada voted NO to the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. It's worth pointing out that Colombia is the only country in South America that abstained from voting

maríahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03080242892475300742noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2527676078253661242.post-50364839633291272772008-08-07T12:20:00.000-07:002009-04-03T10:26:00.519-07:00

Hello friends: We share this piece written by our companera, Dawn Paley, and published in Upside Down World. The Permanent Peoples' Tribunal gave its final verdict of the Colombia Session on the 23rd of July, 2008, after two and a half years of investigating the role of transnationals in continued violence and atrocities in the country. Dawn surveys the final ruling of the Tribunal, which

Vancouvernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2527676078253661242.post-25411020420999364302008-08-05T18:31:00.000-07:002008-08-05T18:33:07.826-07:00

By Chris Arsenault, Originally published in IPS, August 5, 2008.VANCOUVER, Aug 5 (IPS) - Paul Moist, the President of Canada’s largest union, expressed concern about a free trade deal between Canada and Colombia during a recent meeting with Fabio Valencio, Colombia’s Minister of the Interior."[Valencio] listed off the numbers of unionists murdered in Colombia like he was reading a report on the

maríahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03080242892475300742noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2527676078253661242.post-89598373109630967632008-08-05T18:25:00.000-07:002008-08-05T18:31:05.832-07:00

By Tim McSorley, Originally published in The Dominion, August 5th, 2008In what most news outlets described as a daring and stunning military victory, on July 2, 2008, the Colombian government freed 15 hostages being held by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). The rescued group included the best-known of the FARC’s prisoners, former journalist and Colombian presidential candidate

maríahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03080242892475300742noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2527676078253661242.post-85385766285448536092008-08-05T09:37:00.000-07:002008-08-05T09:39:02.227-07:00

[Hernando Llano Ángel], Originally published in [www.actualidadcolombiana.org - http://www.calicantopinion.blogspot.com], [Agosto 3 de 2008]DE-LIBERACIÓNRehenes de la victoria y la derrota“El que vence engendra odio, el que es vencido sufre; con serenidad y alegría se vive si se superan victoria y derrota” Dhamapada XV, 5 (201)Los últimos acontecimientos parecen indicar que el Gobierno y las FARC

maríahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03080242892475300742noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2527676078253661242.post-51904919302118298862008-08-05T09:17:00.000-07:002009-04-03T10:26:00.520-07:00

Dear Readers,We share with you this piece, which features interviews with various compañeros in Colombia who are organizing against the US-Colombia FTA. Many of the author's thought provoking reflections serve to help us understand the effects of a Canada-Colombia FTA. That Uribe actually has 80% of the support of Colombians is disputed, as Gary Leech explains in this piece. ¡Feliz lectura! María

maríahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03080242892475300742noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2527676078253661242.post-816358471401297562008-07-29T01:07:00.000-07:002008-07-29T01:56:23.402-07:00

Author: TPP Source: colectivodeabogados.org Date: July 23rd, 2008At this link you will find the Spanish version of the final decision of the Permanent Peoples' Tribunal as dictated July 23rd, 2008 in Bogotá.http://www.colectivodeabogados.org/article.php3?id_article=1390We endeavour to publish a link to the English version as soon as it is available.

maríahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03080242892475300742noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2527676078253661242.post-33118545971533709262008-07-28T15:31:00.000-07:002008-07-28T15:42:39.374-07:00

This article give some insight on how the Canada-Colombia FTA looks to the Canadian business class - more of a "political gesture" towards an "embattled" government than a trade deal. Click here to read a recent statement by the leaders of CUPE, CUPW and PSAC on the effects of this Free Trade Agreement. Sincerely, María de la Chiva.[Author: Jane Bao], Originally published in [Canadian Business],

maríahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03080242892475300742noreply@blogger.com0