Stories about Spanish from September, 2012
Colombia: Political Blog ‘Atrabilioso’ Closes Down
After 7 years and thousands of posts by several contributors, the political blog Atrabilioso, managed by journalist Jaime Restrepo Vásquez, closed last August 31. The blog's contributors were critics of...
Peru: Hydrocarbons Exploration Threatens Iquitos’ Water
The amazonian city of Iquitos, strategically located on the banks of three rivers and blessed with a tropical weather with copious rainfall, shouldn't have problems with the drinking water supply. However, the reality is quite different. In this first part in a series of three posts we will look at how hydrocarbons exploration threatens Iquitos' water supply.
United States: Occupy Wall Street, One Year Later
September 15-17 2012 marked the first year anniversary of the Occupy Wall Street movement. Scenes that took place during the inception of the movement repeated themselves: hundreds of arrests were reported on Saturday the 15th amidst the protests that culminated on Monday the 17th in the neighborhood near the stock exchange.
Spain: Catalans Continue to Push for Independence
Since last Tuesday saw the largest pro-Catalan independence rally in the region's history, pro-independence activists have continued to pressure politicians to match rhetoric with swift action. Read an overview of the week's action here.
Chile: Netizens tell Mexican President-Elect to “Go Away”
The President-elect of Mexico, Enrique Peña Nieto, started his visit to Chile on September 20, 2012. Between protocol visits, dinners and protests, netizens made a call on Twitter for him to leave the country.
El Salvador: Reflecting on the Future of Blogs
Like many netizens around the world, Salvadoran bloggers are discussing the future of blogs. Prompted by a blogger who has decided to put his blog "on hold", bloggers Fernando Marroquin and David Mejía react to the changing Salvadoran blogosphere.
Bolivia: One Killed as Rival Miners’ Conflict Escalates
The unresolved conflict between tin miners in Bolivia has escalated this week. On Tuesday, September 18, nine miners were injured and one died of his wounds after the use of dynamite during a clash between rival groups seeking to take control of the Colquiri zinc and tin mine.
Mexico: #YoSoy132 Tackles Media Democratization
The Mexican youth movement #YoSoy132 has presented a document on media democratization. Marco Antonio Gómez Lovera in the blog Vivir México [es] outlines and analyses the group's proposals.
Costa Ricans Debate In Vitro Fertilization
After several years of social and political debate on the issue of in vitro fertilization, and after the Legislature did not reach a consensus on the matter, Costa Rica was sued in the Inter-American Court of Human Rights for prohibiting its citizens from obtaining this type of fertilization to have children. The country is awaiting the court's final verdict.
Video: Mini-Documentaries Showcase Venezuelan Artists
Through their YouTube account, the creative team Mostro Contenidos has released a documentary series called 'Memorabilia', where they present a collection of short interviews with Venezuelan personalities who have stood out -nationally and internationally- in film, entertainment, and the arts.
Panama: Interview on Struggle over Naso Territory
Intercontinental Cry shares a video interview with Adolfo Villagra of the Naso indigenous community in Panama: Tensions are mounting in the indigenous Naso territory in Bocas del Toro province, western...
Venezuela: Discussion and Debate on the Road to Election Day
With less than a month left before the presidential elections, the conversation online highlights the separation between the visions incumbent Hugo Chávez and opponent Henrique Capriles have for the future of Venezuela. A collection of statements helps us further understand the complexities that remain hidden behind a division that, on the surface, only has two sides.
Argentina: Why are Citizens Outraged?
Argentinians calling for "justice, freedom, security and currency exchange" marched on September 13, 2012, throughout the country. In this post, we have gathered citizen analysis which explain the reasoning behind these demands.
Dominican Republic: The Crime of Being a Rocker
The murder of José Carlos Hernández (Chiva), a 23-year-old Dominican rock musician, has been one of the the country's most spine-chilling crimes in the past few years. While the traditional media spread stereotypes regarding the incident, netizens took to social media networks to debate the various taboos and prejudices that still dominate public discourse.
Bringing the Venezuelan Literature Boom to English Speakers
In the first part of a two-part interview, blogger Guillermo Parra shares his experience with Venezuelan literature, social media, and the encouragement he has received from Venezuelan readers to publish some of his translations of the work of poet Jose Antonio Ramos Sucre into English.
Bolivia: 4 Injured in Clash Between Miners
Clashes between private cooperative miners from the La Paz Departmental Federation of Mining Cooperatives (Fedecomin in Spanish) and unionised miners from the state-run Bolivian Mining Corporation (Comibol in Spanish) are...
Argentina: Online News Sites Embrace Social Media
The Argentine Journalism Forum (FOPEA [es] for its initials in Spanish) presented the results of a survey of more than 70 online news editors in Argentina. Some of the survey's...
United States: Spanish Stands Out in Political Conventions
In the race for the White House, the political conventions held at the end of August and beginning of September served as a showcase for the Republican and Democratic parties. This year, the conventions demonstrated the continuously growing importance of the Spanish language.
Peru: Alternative Mistura: Eating in the Street
Peruvians and foreigners visited the famous Mistura gastronomic fair in Lima from September 7 to 16. However, in the Peruvian capital you can find great food at any time of the year, even in the most unexpected places. Juan Arellano takes us on a video tour through the various foods that can be found on the streets of Lima.
Puerto Rico from Above
The Caribbean Society of Astronomy posted [es] some of the astonishing images that astronaut Joseph Acabá-of Puerto Rican descendance- shot of the island on September 1st, 2012, from the International Space...
Argentina: Protesters Say “Enough” to Government's Policies
Responding to calls on social networks, on September 13 citizens attended mass demonstrations in different parts of the country to protest against the policies enacted by the current government of Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner.
