Stories about Spanish from January, 2011
Venezuela: Cholera Cases on the Rise
During a wedding held in the Dominican Republic, a group of Venezuelans were diagnosed with symptoms of cholera after eating contaminated food. What were initially 13 cases has increased rapidly within a few days; the most recent reports speak of 135 people treated for cholera.
Venezuela: Explosions Rocked the Maracay Night
Early Sunday morning the city of Maracay was rocked with explosions from 5 government ammunition warehouses which caught fire. Some are calling it gross negligence while others suggest it might not have been accidental at all.
Could Nicaragua experience “the Egypt and Tunisia phenomenon”?
In an interview with El Nuevo Diario [es], Global Voices author Rodrigo Peñalba was asked [es] if the phenomenon seen in Egypt and Tunisia is “far from the national reality” and if netizens would respond in the same way. He concludes that the newspaper, instead of asking “could this happen...
Puerto Rico: Violence Continues as Students Engage in Civil Disobedience
On January 20th, students from the University of Puerto Rico started staging acts of civil disobedience as part of their strike against the $800 dollar annual fee imposed by the administration. The Police has arrested almost 100 protesters and assaulted journalists who have been covering the incidents. Social media and blogs have been an important tool of dissemination and a space for analysis.
Bolivia: Coca-Chewing Protests Held Around the Country
Pablo Andrés Rivero [es] and J.F. String blog about recent demonstrations held in several cities in Bolivia to overturn a UN ban on coca-leaf chewing.
Ecuador: Blog Competition Focusing on Public Safety
Ecuadorian bloggers are encouraged to participate in a Blog Competition [es] organized by the Guayaquil Canton to, “encourage the use of blogs as a platform for expression of ideas by discussing proposals related to public safety in the canton.” Visit the site [es] for more details and follow the competition on Facebook and Twitter.
Ecuador: Netizens Discuss Referendum on Constitution
President Rafael Correa has presented 10 questions in a "popular consultation," a referendum which amends several parts of the most recent Constitution drafted in 2008. Ecuadorians are using blogs and Twitter to discuss the proposed changes.
El Salvador: 19 Years Since Signing of Peace Agreements
Peace accords ending a Salvadoran civil conflict were signed 19 years ago on January 16, 1992. Although Salvadorans consider the peace agreements were an accomplishment, they feel the country has not achieved the peace, stability and reconciliation that was expected.
Video: Sports of the World and Games People Play
Sticks, ducks, carcasses, horses, raiding and dancing all have one thing in common: they are all elements used in some of the world's national sports. Today's videos show us a bit about the sports and games that people play in different parts of the world.
Chile's “Green Revolution”: Fighting Coal Mining in Isla Riesco
Daniel Arellano [es] writes about Chile's “Green Revolution”: Environmental activists and concerned citizens are trying to raise awareness about 5 coal mining projects and the effects they would have on Isla Riesco, an island in the southernmost region of Chile.
Peru: Discussing Gay Marriage During a Presidential Campaign Year
Carlos A. Quiroz discusses gay marriage in Peru in a video in his blog Peruanista [es]. Peruvians are debating equal marriage in the wake of this year's presidential elections.
Mexico: Indigenous Rights Advocate, Bishop Samuel Ruiz, Dies
On January 24th, Bishop Samuel Ruiz Garcia passed away at the age of 86. He was known for his work as an advocate of the rights of the indigenous Mayan people in the state of Chiapas.
Puerto Rico: Best Culture Blog
The Coalition of Artists of Puerto Rico gave the award of best cultural blog for the month of January to El Naufragio de las Palabras [es] maintained by Carlos Antonio Otero.
Puerto Rico: “The Love of My Life”
Blogger and lawyer Verónica RT looked up the Facebook status [es] of Zacha Hernández Alemán, a recent victim of domestic violence in Puerto Rico. It said: “I am engaged with the love of my life…”
Puerto Rico: Working with Needles
El Faktor [es] posts a video portraying the work of Puerto Rican tattoo artist Krystel Ivannie.
Latin American Presidents to Follow on Twitter
Christian Espinosa in Cobertura Digital [es] ranks the top 5 Latin American presidents with the most followers on Twitter. He also shares other information on the use of Twitter by different Latin American administrations.
Puerto Rico: More Arrests and Civil Disobedience
The student blog Desde Adentro [es] and the monthly Diálogo [es] are offering live coverage of the most recent round of arrests at the University of Puerto Rico. About 30 students and protesters have been arrested today for engaging in civil disobedience against the imposition of a special tuition fee....
Colombia: Inspiring videos
@coloresmari posts in her blog [es] that she feels inspired when she watches videos by @juancanola and says: “I see people from different communities and regions in Colombia really working, taking advantage of the possibilities that digital media gives them.”
Guatemala: Challenges for First Female Public Prosecutor
Recent appointments of women to public administration and key political positions could shake the political scene in Guatemala. Furthermore, the appointment of the first female Public Prosecutor could help end impunity for crimes committed against women.
Chile: Citizens respond to natural gas crisis in Magallanes
The announcement to raise natural gas prices in the southern region of Magallanes in Chile generated an immediate reaction from citizens that forced the government to modify the measure. Protests, barricades, and mobilized citizenry were followed minute by minute on social networks in Chile.
Cuba: Obama Eases Several Embargo Restrictions
US President Barack Obama signed into law a series of small legislative reforms to the US embargo on Cuba. Many in the US-Cuba blogging community hailed this as a small but significant step in improving relations between the two countries, while others have criticized the reform.
