Peru: environmental defenders still dying
Murders of indigenous leaders in Peru continue, despite government promises to improve protections. Those who seek to defend their land and protect the local environment are targeted by illegal loggers, miners and drug traffickers.
Brazil: orphan mothers
Anti-Black violence by the Police targets young men in Brazil's favelas and makes their mothers 'orphans'. Their trauma and spectacular resistance are highlighted in this new film, reviwed for LAB by Jessica Pandian
Amazon: crime without punishment
At least 58 indigenous people were killed in the Brazilian, Colombian, Ecuadorean and Peruvian Amazon between 2016 and 2021. In this article, Mongabay outlines the patterns, the involvement of state actors and the cloud of impunity surrounding these crimes
Colombia: transitional justice must include GBV
Transitional justice is not just about bringing perpetrators to justice, it is also about giving a voice to those who lost one, rebuilding societal trust, and fostering reconciliation.
Cross-border traffic in coca and labour
Peruvian coca farmers are actively recruiting Brazilian indigenous workers from the Alto Salimöes region to harvest and transport coca. Violence and exploitation are rife.
The deadliest place for environmental defenders
The latest report from Global Witness confirms the rising trend in killings of environmental defenders, with Mexico becoming the most dangerous country in a very dangerous region which now accounts for over 75% of lethal attacks in the world.
Brazil: coup attempt provokes backlash
The Bolsonarist insurrection which invaded the Congress, Supreme Court and Presidential palace in Brazilia, has provoked outrage in Brazil and internationally. While it poses extremely serious problems for President Lula and the new government, the rebels succeeded in presenting themselves as vandals and terrorists.
Colombia: can Petro achieve lasting peace?
In Caldono, residents are torn between optimism and a weary acceptance of the conflict that has plagued their community for decades.
Brazil’s democracy is far from safe
Lula acted decisively to halt the Bolsonarist insurgents who invaded the centre of government in Brasilia on 8 January. But coup-mongers are numerous and active, not least within the armed forces, while the right retains control of Congress.
Mexico: the ‘efecto corruptor’
Netflix docu-series 'A Kidnapping Scandal: The Florence Cassez Affair' sheds light on one of Mexico's most controversial corruption cases –without glorifying the horror experienced.