There has been a growing push from Americans, particularly those along the Mexican border, for the federal government to label the Mexican drug cartels as terrorists. On Thursday, the State Department that the actions of the cartels are consistent with those considered to be “terrorism or insurgency.” “I do acknowledge that many of the facts on the ground, the things that are being done by those organizations, are consistent with what we would call either terrorism or...

We share the concern that the Chilean Union of Photographers and Cameramen has expressed about the possibility of more violence against media personnel by the security forces, especially the carabinero militarized police, during the large protests that are expected to take place today and tomorrow in response to calls from the student movement. The concern is justified by the many cases of abuses by police and carabineros at previous demonstrations. Chile’s carabineros are part of the...

More violence in Mexico's war on drug cartels: A car exploded in Monterrey, Mexico in an area that's seen a spike in violence. No one was injured, but the explosion caused extensive property damage. Investigators say a military convoy was chasing a suspicious vehicle and a small car exploded as the convoy passed. Police in Monterrey are trying to determine if the car was packed with explosives or if someone threw grenades at the car. Monterrey has seen more drug violence since early last...

Basque militant group ETA issued a statement Thursday saying it is ending its 43-year armed campaign for independence and called on Spain and France to open talks. The group made the announcement to Basque daily Gara, which it regularly uses as a mouthpiece. ETA declared a permanent cease-fire in January, but up to now had not renounced armed struggle as a tool for achieving an independent Basque state - a key demand by the Spanish government. "ETA has decided the definitive cease of its...

Venezuela's National Telecommunications Commission (Conatel) imposed a USD 2.1 million fine to TV news network Globovisión, an amount that represents 7.5% of the TV channel. The private channel was fined in connection with the coverage of riots occurred some months ago in Venezuela's prison El Rodeo. Pedro Maldonado, the director of Conatel, said that the penalty is mandatory and must be paid immediately. "The fine was imposed by the editorial behavior and the way...

International negotiators met in the Basque Country on Monday to pave the way for a historic, definitive end to armed Basque separatist group ETA. Basque Country regional president Patxi Lopez joined other policymakers in calling on ETA to seize on the results of the one-day conference here as a basis to shut down operations for good. Visiting Ground Zero in New York on the eve of the meeting here, Lopez said ETA was "already broken" and that democracy and democrats did not need...

Eight months after radio journalist Merardo Romero’s murder in Ytakyry, in the eastern department of Alto Paraná, the alleged perpetrators are in prison but the suspected masterminds continue to enjoy complete impunity. The important political posts they hold seem to account for the murder’s limited media impact and the lack of progress in the investigation. Community radio La Voz de Ytakyry’s programme director, Romero was gunned down in his home in front of his...

BOGOTA, Colombia -- President Juan Manuel Santos has reiterated during a visit by the Palestinian leader that Colombia will only recognize a Palestinian state that has been established through negotiations with Israel. Colombia's has a vote on the U.N. Security Council, which is considering the Palestinian bid for statehood. Santos hasn't said whether Colombia will abstain or vote "no." The U.S. has threatened to veto the statehood appeal. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said...

Two men have been charged in what law enforcement officials say was a bombing plot in the United States approved by senior members Iran's Revolutionary Guard Quds Force. The plot targeted the Saudi ambassador to the United States for assassination and may have included other targets including the Israeli embassy, ABC News reports. During a news conference Tuesday afternoon, Manhattan U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara called the plot's details chilling, saying the suspects didn't care that they...

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas arrives for an unofficial visit to to seek support for his people's bid to be recognized a state by the United Nations. The trip to Colombia is one of a series of trips to U.N. members who are not in favor of granting the Palestinians a state through the U.N. Colombia, a non-permanent member of the U.N. Security Council, has so far refused to recognize a Palestinian state in line with its traditional allies the U.S. and Israel. When speaking before the...