If you're wondering how the three-year-old FMLN government is getting on, what's happening with the brutal
gang wars, or how El Salvador is involved with the Venezuela/Cuba-led "ALBA" international co-operation alliance, download and read the ESNET newsletter (click on attachment button below for PDF file).

The articles are illustrated with images by photographer Kevin Hayes who spent part of 2011
in El Salvador.

The BBC reported last week that Honduran journalist and gay rights campaigner Erick Martinez was found dead two days after he went missing. The motive for the killing remains unclear, but rights groups say over 20 media workers have been killed in Honduras since 2009.

For the full report, see the BBC's website: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-17990638

Fundraising Meal!

To support the creation of a new Guatemalan photo exhibition by West Midlands based photographer Kevin Hayes
Saturday 9th June, 7.30pm – 10pm

"The sixth summit was something else. First, the region is not divided - it is united. It is united against the discrimination against Cuba, against the drug war, and in favor the decolonization of the Malivinas Islands. Second, the region showed that it is now mature enough to walk on its own, without the “interference” of the United States and Canada. Third, the United States is isolated and very few countries continue to follow it: only Mexico and Chile, but each with very low profiles."

To read the full analysis by Raul Zibechi, visit the website of the Americas Program of the Center for International Policy: http://www.cipamericas.org/archives/6811

The Nicaragua Solidarity Campaign Action Group is seeking a temporary trade union worker for June/July 2012 (self employed)

15 days work from mid June - end July

Purpose of the post: To undertake final preparations for the visit of two trade unionists from the Nicaraguan public service union (UNE), to accompany them on their UK tour (this will include interpreting) and to follow up the visit.

The two trade unionists will be attending a UNISON conference and meetings with other UK trade unions from 17 - 29 June.

Deadline for application - Monday, May 14, see NSC website for details and application form:

http://www.nicaraguasc.org.uk/recruit%20NSCAG/Temp_TU_job_description201...

The screening of  "Vos, que sos mi hermana" is organised by the Central American Student Association (CASA), in collaboration with the Nicaraguan Embassy, in support of Casa Verde, a youth programme developed in Limon, Nicaragua, aimed at empowering young people to dream.

1st May, 6pm, Room NAB2.14, London School of Economics, Houghton St, London WC2A 2AE

Read the Central America Women's Network (CAWN) spring bulletin.

Includes info on CAWN's 'women's rights, social inclusion and the media' project, Nicaraguan legislation to tackle violence against women, hopes for Guatemala's first female vice-president, and more.... click on the attachment link below for the PDF file.

Date: 27th April 2012

Address: Friends House, George Fox Room, 173-177 Euston Road, London, NW1 2BJ

The Central American Women’s Network (CAWN) and Frauensolidaritäet would like to invite you to the upcoming conference, “Images of exploited and trafficked women: The role of the media and campaigning in women's empowerment”

While there has been growing awareness over the last decade as to the urgency to address trafficking for sexual exploitation and exploitation within the sex-industry, advocates have not always agreed on the most appropriate approach to tackle it. Debates are played out and amplified by media stories, backing the prevalence of dominating discourses.

Latin America Bureau (LAB) has produced a special issue of its newsletter focused on relations between Latin America and the United States.

It begins with an overview of Barack Obama's policy in Latin America, written by author Grace Livingstone. She argues that Obama has allowed right-wing Republicans and the Pentagon to dominate his agenda and highlights the tragic consequences of this strategy in Colombia. Far from learning the lessons of Plan Colombia , she argues, Obama has embarked on the same militarized strategy in Mexico. Read more.