By: Lilia López The cold is on its way out of San Cristóbal, but not without dragging its feet a bit. This is my first winter in the mountains of Chiapas so it’s taking some getting used to. Despite being born and raised in sunny California, I learned a little about the art of snow shoveling during my four of Chicago winters while I was in college. Nevertheless, what I’ve found I miss most here is that comforting, (and often times suffocating) blast of warm air that hits your face as you step into your local coffee shop, restaurant, or most any other establishment in the U.S.

By Naomi Briggs

Naomi recently spent 2 weeks as a human rights observer in the community of Las Abejas, Fracción Guadalupe. What follows is her personel reflection on the experience.

By Andrew Kurowski The week of January 9 this year, the center for human rights in Tapachula, Fray Matias de Cordoba AC, organized five, three-person brigades to visit Tapachula and its surrounding areas which were most drastically affected by hurricane Stan more than three months ago on October 4. I, along with two other members of the Chiapas Peace House, had the opportunity to participate in these brigades, thanks to contacts that exist between the Peace House and Fray Matias.

By Lilia López With the inauguration of Evo Morales as Bolivia’s president on January 22, Latin America installed yet another left-leaning leader. But while Morales is known for his anti-American rhetoric like Chavez and advocated nationalization of state industries like Kirchner, he has something that sets him apart from his fellow lefties. Morales is an Amyra Indian whose rise to power was made posible by the overwhelming support of his nation's indigenous peoples who make up more than 60 percent of the population.

By Lilia López Early this month, a land dispute that has left approximately 400 people dead in the southern Sierra region of Oaxaca finally came to an end.

By Lilia López This month, la Otra Campaña is making its way through the state of Oaxaca. Subcomandante Marcos continues his dialogue with various civil society groups in this southern state plagued with increasing violence and repression in recent months.

By Lilia López The PRD’s Lopez Obrador continues to hold a comfortable lead in the fight for Mexico’s presidency, but with accusations rampant and niceties scarce, the field is wide-open.