"The Canada-based group Rights Action, which works to support Guatemalan and Honduran activists, said the problem was not Glamis itself, but rather a development model that allowed international companies to exploit resources with few obvious benefits to the population. "I don't think there are any discernable benefits but I think there are discernable harms and violations of human rights when these mines operate in these sorts of places," said Grahame Russell, a spokesman."

We don't usually include go off-country on this blog- but it isn't often that there is a chance to hear a Latin American president speak in London. So we'll make an exception...

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez will now be speaking at a public meeting organised by the Greater London Authority in central London on Sunday 14th May at 3-7pm at the Camden Centre, 38-50 Bidborough St, London WC1. 

President Hugo Chavez will address the meeting hosted by the Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone. President Chavez Frias will address the meeting on current social and economic policies issues in Venezuela that are relevant to London.

People are required to register their names with the GLA or they will not be admitted. Places will be allocated on a first come first served basis and there is no charge for entry. To register you must contact anna.roberts@london.gov.uk or sandeep.sra@london.gov.uk.

For more information contact: Venezuela Information Centre at info@vicuk.org.

Oscar Berger, Guatemala's President was quoted yesterday by EFE (10-05-06) as saying that Chavez is increasingly trying to influence politics in Central America. Berger is also in Europe at the moment for negotiations over the trade pact between Central America, South America and the European Union. The event is referred to as the 'Business Summit'