Guatemala, a Latin American country neighboring the better known Mexico, is in many ways similar to Burma, according to a Spanish academic from The Netherlands based International Institute of Social Studies.

In response to the Burma Army’s attack of the Shan State Army (SSA)’s border outpost on 9 May, Lt-Gen Yawd Serk, Chairman of the Restoration Council of Shan State (RCSS), the SSA’s political arm, said the Burma Army should have communicated with the movement’s liaison offices to settle problems peacefully instead of resorting to force in violation of the ceasefire.

It is reported that a series of heavy storms has swept dozens of villages in Kunhing Township, southern Shan State, which turned many houses, monasteries and schools to debris.

The storm first hit the Kunhing Township on 30 April, then 10 and 12 May, altogether 3 times which swept a total of 75 houses, said local news sources from Kunhing.

According to a senior Thai border security official, both China and United Wa State Army (UWSA)’s denial of a report saying China had delivered a number of ‘Hip’ helicopters equipped with air-to-air missiles to the latter warrants further investigations.

The United Nationalities Federal Council (UNFC) is sending a delegation to the United Kingdom next week, according to UNFC and British embassy sources.

The delegation will be led by the alliance’s chairman Lt-Gen N.Ban La and Secretary General Nai Hong Sa.

Recent movements made by the Burma Army have placed Thai security in a state of alert, according to sources on the Thai-Burmese border.

“Since ceasefire agreements were signed, Mongton township (opposite Chiangmai’s Chiangdao and Fang districts) had only 3 local infantry battalions: Infantry Battalions (IBs) 65, 225 and 277 plus Artillery Battalion 386,” said an informed local. “But this month, we are witnessing new developments.”

Shan State Army Task Force 701 requests Chinese authorities to provide temporary shelter for refugees, who have fled due to the recent series of attacks by the Burma Army that had sent thousands across the border.

Perhaps it isn’t the accurate title, because a lot of things happened during the last year that – drugwise – began on 26 June 2012, notably:

• More poppy fields were seen most of which failed to yield much
• More synthetic drugs were seized but a lot more were produced and traded