By R. Renee Yaworsky
Impunity Watch Reporter, South America

LA PAZ, Bolivia—In a revolutionary move, Bolivia is set to pass a law that essentially grants nature the same rights as human beings.  It will become the first law of its kind in the entire world.

Called the Law of Mother Earth, the legislation is expected to be the first step in a new radical environmental conservation policy.  The policy’s long term goals include diminishing pollution and exploitation within Bolivia.

The Law of Mother Earth, which defines Bolivia’s famous mineral deposits as “blessings,” has already experienced popularity among politicians and social organizations alike.  The law makes reference to nature’s right “to not be affected by mega-infrastructure and development projects that affect the balance of ecosystems and the local inhabitant communities.”

Further, 11 new rights for nature are set forth in the law, including: the right to life and existence; the right to continue vital cycles and processes free from human alteration; the right to clean water and air; the right to balance; the right not to be polluted; and the right not to have cellular structures modified or genetically altered.

The South American nation has struggled with environmental difficulties ranging from rising temperatures, melting glaciers, and extreme weather like floods, droughts and mudslides.  The country has also been heavily mined for its rich tin, silver and gold deposits.

Vice President Alvaro Garcia Linera has praised the Law of Mother Earth, saying, “It makes world history.  Earth is the mother of all.  It establishes a new relationship between man and nature.”  The law has been shaped in part by the indigenous Andean belief that human beings are equal to all other things.

While it remains unclear what specific legal protection the law might grant the ecosystems, the government plans to create a ministry of mother earth and endow communities with legal powers to control polluting industries.

For more information, please see:

Ahmedabad Mirror-Mother Earth to be granted human rights under Bolivian law-12 April 2011

Sydney Morning Herald-Bolivia to pass a law granting nature “human rights”-12 April 2011

Albuquerque Express-Bolivia set to pass “Law of Mother Earth”-11 April 2011

By Patrick Vanderpool
Impunity Watch Reporter, South America

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina – Former Argentine general Eduardo Cabanillas has been sentenced to life in prison for running a detention center in the 1970’s linked to  “Operation Condor.” “Operation Condor” was a 1970’s plot by right-wing South American dictatorships to coordinate repression of leftists in Argentina, Chile, Paraguay, Brazil, Bolivia and Uruguay. According to reports, an estimated 30,000 people were killed or disappeared under the Argentine dictatorship.

Cabanillas operated Automotores Orletti, a secret prison that was disguised as a car repair shop. Prosecutors estimate that 300 people passed through this secret detention center. Cabanillas was found guilty of five counts of murder, 29 counts of “illegal detentions” and 29 counts of torture. In addition to Cabanillas, the court sentenced former military intelligence agent Raul Guglielminetti to 20 years in prison and ex-intelligence officers Honorio Martinez Ruiz and Eduardo Ruffo to 25 years in prison.

According to one family member of a victim, “justice has been done. But we are still looking for the baby of my militant friend and colleague Alicia Chuburu, kidnapped when she was seven months pregnant.” Uruguayan human rights activist Sara Mendez praised the sentences. According to Mendez, “this ruling is the product of 30 years of struggle to sentence the culprits.”

Those who survived time in the detention center say that prisoners were bound and blindfolded, then  were given electric shocks and hoisted up by pulleys and submerged head-first in water in what was known as “the submarine.” It is said that running car engines in the garage covered the detainees’ screams.

For more information, please see:

The Independent – Ex-General Gets Life for Junta Prison Atrocities – 2 April 2011

Inquirer – Ex-General gets Life Sentence for Operation Condor Role – 1 April 2011

Press TV – Ex-Argentine Torture Officials Face Jail – 1 April 2011

RTT News – Former Argentine General Jailed for ‘Dirty War’ Crimes – 1 April 2011

By R. Renee Yaworsky
Impunity Watch Reporter, South America

SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador—On a recent visit to El Salvador, U.S. President Barack Obama promised $200 million to aid the Central American nation in its war on drug trafficking and gang violence.  According to President Obama, this funding would go towards fighting the underlying causes of trafficking and gang membership, such as poverty and various social elements.  In addition to the $200 million promise, Obama also vowed to undertake new steps to increase trade and economic collaboration within El Salvador and Central America.

President Obama also announced the creation of the Central American Citizen’s Security Partnership after discussing the matter with Salvadoran President Mauricio Funes.  The Partnership is expected to fortify the court system within the country with the cooperation of countries like Chile, Colombia and Mexico.  The two leaders also discussed immigration, as two to three million Salvadorans live and work within the U.S.  Obama praised Funes’ “courageous work to overcome old divisions in Salvadoran society,” and said, “The U.S. wants to be a partner in this process.  We want El Salvador to be successful.”

Obama was accompanied by his wife and daughters on his trip.  He visited the National Cathedral in the capital, San Salvador, and saw the tomb of Archbishop Oscar Romero, a defender of the poor who was assassinated in 1980 after celebrating Mass.

Obama’s visit to El Salvador was the last of many visits to different Latin American countries, such as Chile and Brazil.  The visit was cut shorter than expected, as the president had to return to Washington early in order to handle the critical events taking place in Libya.

Though Obama’s promises have given many Salvadorans hope, some radical Salvadorans have been wary of the U.S.’s motives.  One student leader, using the alias “Ana Maria,” commented, “Obama is visiting El Salvador so that the U.S. can continue trying to control the Latin American region. . . .  [T]he reinforcement of the anti-narcotics division here [is] there to put down our social movements.  They are all part of maintaining a military position here—and we will continue to oppose it!”

The U.S. State Department lists El Salvador as one of the 10 most violent countries in the world.  It is estimated that last year there were almost 4,000 homicides in the country.

For more information, please see:

Axis of Logic-Dispatch from El Salvador: Obama’s Drug War Feels Eerily Familiar-5 April 2011

BBC-Obama pledges anti-drug funding on El Salvador visit-23 March 2011

AFP-Obama visits violence-plagued El Salvador-22 March 2011

By Patrick Vanderpool
Impunity Watch Reporter, South America

BOGOTA, Colombia – According to Semana magazine, the military prison at Tolemaida base in Colombia is more of a resort than a jail with “privileges and comforts worthy of a hotel.” This particular prison is home to over 200 soldiers convicted of crimes against humanity. According to official prison records, 269 military and ex-military officials are held at the prison.

In January, a controversy arose when many of the prison’s privileges came to be known by the public. According to some reports, Major Juan Carlos Rodriguez, sentenced to 12 years for being security chief for the kingpin of the Norte del Valle drug cartel, is among the most privileged inmates.  The reports also illustrate that Major Cesar Maldonado, sentenced to 25 years for his part in the 2000 attempted assassination of Congressman Wilson Borja, is privy to special privileges.

Semena said that the prison “looks more like a club for rest and recreation than a maximum security prison,” adding that many of the prisoners are permitted to come and go from the prison at their own whim. The magazine’s report further alleges that the prisoners “have businesses in and out of the jail and instead of being locked in cells they live in cabanas.”

According to Army chief General Alejandro Navas, “the irregularities have been controlled and corrected, officials in charge of the prison were dismissed and some of the prisoners have been moved elsewhere.” Colombia’s Vice President Angelino Garzon has publicly the prison’s lavish environment. “It should be clear that individuals who have been convicted for serious crimes, including crimes against humanity, should not have any privileges,” said Garzon.

Rodrigo Rivera, Colombia’s Defence Minister, has adamantly stated that measures have already been taken to rectify the problems. In addition, Colombia is launching an extensive investigation into the prison’s conditions. According to Rivera, a full report on the investigation can be expected in three months.

For more information, please see:

BBC – Colombia Investigates Military Jail ‘Special Treatment” – 4 April 2011

Colombia Reports – VP Condemns Luxury Conditions for Jailed Soldiers – 4 April 2011

Latin American Herald Tribune – Colombian Soldiers Convicted of Rights Abuses Live in Posh Prison – 4 April 2011

By Patrick Vanderpool
Impunity Watch Reporter, South America

BOGOTA, Colombia – According to media reports. a former congressman was arrested by the Technical Investigation Team of the Prosecutor General’s Office for alleged “FARC politics.” Pedro Nelson Pardo, former representative for Guainia, is accused of having ordered the extortion and corruption of the Colombian electorate during a congressional race in 2002. It is alleged that Pardo had an agreement with the rebel group to carry out this plan.

Pardo was taken into custody in Cunday in the department of Tolima and will be quickly transported to the Prosecutor General’s Office in Bogota. Pardo will then appear before the Criminal Court after which the court will determine whether or not to award him security protection which is subject to there being charges filed against him.

Pardo’s arrest comes shortly after the Supreme Court of Colombia opened an investigation into former congressman Luis Fernando Almario for his alleged ties to paramilitary groups while in office. In that case, Almario has been implicated in the murder of Colombian politician Diego Turbay Cote. Almario was also detained by law enforcement in February 2008 over accusations of “FARC politics.” He was subsequently released in May 2009. Almario has continuously denied the allegations, claiming that he is “a victim of the [rebels].”

Last year, Colombia’s Inspector General’s Office compiled a list of charges against Senator Piedad Cordoba in relation to allegations that she collaborated with the FARC outside of the parameters of her role as a hostage release negotiator. The investigation flows from evidence allegedly found in dead FARC leader “Raul Reyes” files. The evidence is alleged to support the notion that Cordoba was involved in “FARC politics,” specifically emails that discussed issues that were not elements of Cordoba’s humanitarian aid objective.

These cases illustrate the possibility of a widespread and systematic system of corruption in Colombian politics.

For more information, please see:

Colombia Reports –Ex-Congressman Captured for “farcpolitics” – 1 April 2011

Colombia Reports –Supreme Court Opens “Parapolitics” Investigation into Ex-Congressman – 24 March 2011

Colombia Reports – “FARC-Politics Charges Announced against Piedad Cordoba – 13 April 2010