Stories about Spanish from May, 2008
Colombia: FARC Leader “Sureshot” is Confirmed Dead
After countless false claims of the death of the FARC's top leader Manuel Marulanda Vélez aka "Sureshot," the Colombian government confirmed that he passed away in March of natural causes. Colombian bloggers were quick to react and provide their thoughts on what this means for the future of the guerrilla group, the future presidential elections, and Sureshot's legacy.
Peru: Café Tacuba in Lima
Laslo Rojas of Sintonizando [es] posts videos and photos of the recent concert by the Mexican band Café Tacuba in Lima, Peru.
Bolivia: Bloguivianos 2008 Website
The organizers of the 2008 version of the Bloguivianos bloggers conference recently launched their website [es]. The 2nd annual Bolivian bloggers conference will take place over two days in El...
Guatemala: Animal Del Monte Festival in Xela
Quetzaltenango or "Xela" was the site of an international poetry festival called Animal del Monte, which brought 40 poets from around Latin America. A big part of the festival was reaching out to surrounding communities by holding readings to local residents. The festival also highlighted the work of Guatemalan poets, who demonstrated that many fine works come from that country.
Argentina: Commemoration of the Cordobazo
Argenautas [es] commemorates 39 years since the “Cordobazo” in the Aregentine city of Córdoba which featured, “the largest mobilization of workers and students and marked the beginning of the end...
Bolivia: Blog for Camiri
Camiri Digital [es] is a new blog for residents of Camiri, a Bolivian town in the southeastern part of the country. It also helps unite those residents who now live...
Paraguay: The Creation of a People's Union
Edgar Ruiz Díaz of Las Preguntas de Venerando [es] writes about the change in power in Paraguay, and how many public workers will now try to convince the new administration...
Nicaragua: A Closer Look at a Government Program for Microloans
The governmental program called Usura Cero provides low interest rate loans to Nicaraguan women for their micro-businesses. It was recently featured on an investigative news program and a local blogger provides in-depth thoughts on the success of the program.
Peru: Rate of Poverty Reduction Difficult to Believe
Juan Sheput of Mate Pastor [es] and other analysts are doubting the Peruvian National Statistic and Information Institute's announcement that poverty has decreased 5.2% over the course of the past...
Nicaragua: Chacón Wins National Poetry Prize
Sergio Simpson congratulates Nicaraguan poet Ninozka Chacón for being awarded the 2008 National Poetry Prize, “Mariana Sansón.” [es]
Costa Rica: Local Film on YouTube
Cristian Cambronero of Fusil de Chispas [es] writes about the short film called Rápido y Engañado (Fast and Fooled) which has been posted on YouTube and has been one of...
Peru: Andean Film Conference in Arequipa
Gabriel Quispe of Cinencuentro [es] provides information regarding the next Andean Film Conference to be held in Arequipa May 29-31. The gathering will show examples of “the regional filmmaking, where...
Ecuador: Tungurahua Volcano Increases Activity
The Tungurahua volcano in Ecuador has been more active in the past few weeks writes La Voz de Guamote [es].
Colombia: FARC Laptops Reveal Ties to Politicians and Foreign Governments
The laptops found in the FARC guerrilla camps were sent to Interpol for independent analysis. The findings, which were leaked to the press, reveal some disturbing ties to foreign governments and some Colombian politicians. However, some Colombian bloggers think that the leaked information has become too political in nature and that one should not necessarily jump to conclusions based on the leaked information.
Venezuela: The Poet Who Enjoyed the Simple Things in Life
Poet Aquiles Nazoa had always led a simple life. His poetry illustrated the beauties of daily life and the humorous soul of all Venezuelans. He was also one of the most furious advocates of Human Rights during the 1960s in Venezuela. Venezuelan bloggers pay tribute to this poet, who had a certain love of the simple things in life.
Uruguay: Upcoming Performances of La Yunta Trío de Tango
La Yunta Trío de Tango is a Uruguayan tango group, which recently recorded its first album. Café Montevideo [es] writes a little more background information and provides dates of upcoming...
El Salvador: A Computer in Ecuador Stirs Up Salvadoran Presidential Campaign
A computer file purportedly discovered on a laptop computer at a FARC guerrilla camp in Ecuador, has bloggers in El Salvador wondering what impact it will have and what impact it should have on the upcoming elections in their country scheduled for March 2009. Much of the focus has been on FMLN presidential candidate Mauricio Funes and his reaction to the discovery.
Colombia: Paramilitary Leaders Extradited to the United States
In Colombia, 14 demobilized paramilitary bosses were recently extradited to the United States to face charges of drug trafficking. Bloggers in Colombia discuss how this might affect the current political situation in the country and how much the jailed individuals might reveal now that they have very little incentive to keep silent.
Mexico: Responsible Disposal of Batteries and Cell Phones
Chilanga Banda [es] posts information about the campaign launched by the government of Mexico City regarding the reponsible disposal of batteries and mobile phones.
Chile: Spanish Photographer Injured While Covering Protests
A Spanish photographer was injured after being hit by a Chilean policeman, while covering protests in the city of Valparaíso. Fernando Meza of Periodismo Globa [es] has the full story.
Ecuador: Internet Access Lacking in Countryside
Christian Espinosa of Cobertura Digital [es] cites figures regarding internet access in Ecuador and notes that more than 60% of the toal internet users are based in Quito. He writes,...
