Stories about Latin America from August, 2006
Cuba: Raúl Castro's first appointment
Raúl Castro appears to have made his first official appointment, writes Luis M. Garcia: “analysts and Cuban watchers will have a field day over the next few hours with these latest news from Havana. Does it mean Raul is really in charge?“
Internet in Chile: Creating New Political Actors?
Co-authored by Mary Joyce and Rosario Lizana Why has Chile, a country of only 16 million people where only 10% have internet in their homes, become a hotbed of cyberactivism? We know that the answer is not related to the tool, it is related to what is done with the...
Honduras: Panamax 2006 Military Exercises
Honduras News-Daily says that Honduras will be participating today in the controversial Panamax 2006 military exercises.
Colombia: Putumayo's White Elephant
Adam Isacson on the strange and revealing scene at a high-profiled animal-food concentrates processing plant in the town of Orito.
Bolivia: in the Tube and on the Tube
Having already presented the Bolivian presence on YouTube, Miguel Buitrago now describes the transmission of Bolivian television online: “The whole package is supposed to cost US$ 9.95, and is mainly aimed at the around 1 million Bolivians living outside Bolivia, mainly in Madrid, Buenos Aires and the Washington DC metro...
Peru: Peruvian Cuisine in California
Alejandro is inspired to start blogging again after a visit to the Peruvian restaurant, Los Balcones del Peru in Hollywood, Calornia.
Mexico: EZLN: “We Are Preparing Our Next Steps”
The Narco News Bulletin has translated the most recent address by Zapatista figurehead Subcomandante Marcos at the Second Indigenous Gathering of the Yucatan Peninsula.
Peru: Mining Conflict
Living in Peru on a recent conflict between settlers from Combayo and the neighboring Yanacocha gold mine and its potential effect on foreign investment.
Venezuela: Barreto vs. Barreto
Miguel Octavio has translated an Op-Ed by Teodoro Petkoff as the Venezuelan government tells Caracas Mayor Juan Barreto that he was wrong in expropriating two golf courses.
Venezuela, Syria: Chavez's New Friends
Steven Taylor astounded by Chavez's newly declared solidarity with Syria. Erwin Cifuentes does the media roundup.
The Week that Was – Bolivian Blogs
Mundo Al Revés’ three hosts: Sebastian Molina, Carolina Bessolo, and Sergio Mier (Photo courtesy: M.A.R.) Blogs have taken off in the eastern city of Santa Cruz, Bolivia due to no small part to the efforts of the individuals behind the website Mundo Al Revés (Upside Down World). What started as...
Mexico: Gunshots in Oaxaca
Mark in Mexico, awoken by gunshots this morning in Oaxaca, has an update on the standoff, including a link to an interesting satellite map by Reforma.
Mexico: “From tent city to shadow government”
Boz's analysis of what he calls Lopez Obrador's “shadow government”.
Chile: Campaign for Bandwidth
Rosario Lizana and Atina Chile (ES) won't let readers forget about the Campaign for Broadband, which hopes to convince internet service providers to be more honest about the speed of their connection rates and what actually constitutes “broadband.”
Venezuela: Expropriation of Golf Courses
Miguel Octavio, Daniel Duquenal, Feathers McGraw, Katy, and Publius Pundit on the expropriation of two Caracas golf courses by Mayor Juan Barreto. EGG says (ES), “while at least I never liked golf,” though he remembers that Che Guevara did.
Argentina: History of Utility (Companies)
Robert Wright has a fascinating reflection on the history of utility companies in Buenos Aires: “Wouldn’t it be great to see 3-D city maps (á la Google Earth) based on each particular utility? Eliminate everything but electric lines & take a look. Or just see gas lines. Or only water...
Argentina: Drag Shows
Dan Perlman on drag shows in Buenos Aires: “Unfortunately, Buenos Aires’ gay scene, entertainment-wise, seems trapped in the late ’70s/early ’80s, at least from a New York perspective. Drag shows are the thing, and often, the exact same drag show, week in and week out.” Read on to discover the...
Cuba: Between the lines
The Cuban news daily Granma reports that a Syrian ministerial delegation has been received in Cuba by Raul Castro — and Luis M. Garcia (and, presumably, other watchers of the Castro regime) try to figure out what it means: “We are a sad, pathetic bunch, I know … A bit...
Guatemala: Attempt to Silence Guatemalan Radio Journalist
Patrick of the Guatemala Solidarity Network gives more context to the reported shooting of Radio 10 host Vinicio Aguilar Mancilla.
Argentina: Mundial de Tango
Cintra acknowledges the “surprising fun of the Mundial de Tango.”
Bolivia: Petrol and YouTube
Jim Shultz announces the gas and oil brief from the Democracy Center while Miguel Buitrago takes a look at Bolivia's presence on YouTube.
About our Latin America coverage
Melissa Vida is the Latin America Spanish-language editor. Email her story ideas or volunteer to write.
Fernanda Canofre is the Brazil editor. Email her story ideas or volunteer to write.
