Excluded Headlines: Fasting to death for the climate, historic blow to organised crime in Colombia...
Stay up to date on the global news stories the US- and Eurocentric media overlook, with author and journalist, Tamara Pearson.
In this week’s Global South news:
Historic “biggest” blow to contraband in Colombia - Colombia’s Attorney General’s Office and President Petro announced a major blow to organised crime and money laundering in the country, with a whole network uncovered and undone, and four people arrested, including Ricardo Orozca. According to Petro, Orozca was responsible for 80% of the contraband that came into Colombia, and for around US$2 billion in criminal revenue. Source, source.
Haitian PM resigns - Haiti’s unelected prime minister, Ariel Henry, announced his resignation on Monday. In his place, a “Transitional Presidential Council” will be appointed. This measure comes from a meeting of the Caribbean Community (Caricom) countries. The meeting specifically decided that the seven-member presidential council will not include anyone who is against US- and UN-backed intervention in Haiti. Source, source.
Protest and outrage as India implements Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) - Weeks before national elections, the Indian government has announced the implementation of the controversial CAA, seen by many as being anti-Muslim. The Act grants citizenship to refugees who fled Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan - but only to those who aren’t Muslim. Initially passed in 2019, there were nationwide protests, and dozens of protestors were killed by police. Now there are new protests, with many arrested in Delhi, and burning of the law in Assam. Source, source, source, source.
Over 507,000 killed in Syria war - The war in Syria has killed over 507,000 people since it started 13 years ago. Around a third of those were civilians. Source.
Fasting for the climate - A man in India, Sonam Wangchuk, has begun a 21-day climate fast, extendable until death, in order to demand statehood for Ladakh, in Kashmir - something he believes is crucial for Indigenous rights and the environment. He argues that limitless material consumption without regard for nature and Indigenous peoples isn’t development. On Wednesday, around 1,000 people joined in with his fast. Source.
Argentine annual inflation at 276% - Poverty rates have also increased drastically in Argentina, now at over 50%. In February alone, housing, transport, utilities all went up by 20-24%. Source.
At least 60 refugees die in boat that left Libya - The people were trying to cross the Mediterranean in order to get to Europe. They travelled in a dinghy whose engine broke after three days, and they were then left adrift without food or water for at least another four. Rescuers then found the boat and the survivors. According to the IOM, almost 2,500 migrants died or went missing on the route last year. Source.
Useful reads:
On the Sixth Month of Genocide: An Interview from Gaza
Honduras 2009: Legacy of a coup
Colonial statues in Africa have been removed, returned and torn down again – why it’s such a complex history
Report exposes the oil giants fuelling Israel’s war machine
On the indifference towards Sudan
Israel’s ‘Flour Massacre’ – When A Crime Becomes A ‘Tragedy’
Mexican police attack IWD protesters demanding an end to impunity in crimes against women (Video, gallery)
US sanctions are killing Venezuelans