Gold Mining in the Amazon: Life in a garimpo
São José is a currutela, a village of gold-panners. Life is precarious but until recently there was some stability and community spirit.
Transparency in Jacareacanga: Don’t you dare talk to me!
The company in charge of environmental impact studies for hydro-electric plants on the Tapajos river does not like journalists.
Midia Ninja, alternative news
Founded as part of the Fora do Eixo, to stage and film local festivals, this collective of young journalists is challenging the established might of TV Globo.
Rio, one year on
Back in Brazil after a year's absence, Sue Branford feels the change -after decades of inertia brought about by the co-option of social movements by the PT, the country is coming alive again.
Argentina — the use of the land
In a hard-hitting article, two Argentine analysts criticise the government's land policies, with their emphasis on exports, mining, and oil and gas exploitation (including fracking). Indigenous resistance has led to 12 deaths in the past three years.
Mexico – mounting protests against GM decision
Enrique Pena Nieto's government will soon decide whether to allow transnational companies to start the commercial planting of GM maize, but opposition is growing among Mexican farmers, scientists and activists.
Brazil – the GMO momentum
The area covered by genetically modified crops has been growing rapidly but the anti-GM campaign is far from defeated.
British supermarkets, GMO soya and birth defects
The UK's six largest supermarkets have quietly decided to allow more GM soya into the food chain, despite horrific evidence of the impact of the GM soya boom in Argentina.
Honduras: Terror in the Aguán
Honduran military claims that clandestine groups are carrying out military training are used to justify further repression.
Mexico: Airport Threatens Farmworkers Again
After halting the project a decade ago, the people of San Salvador Atenco are organising to combat new, and worse plans for an airport on their land.