· July, 2007

Stories about Latin America from July, 2007

Across the Panamanian Blogosphere

  31 July 2007

There is plenty on the mind of the Panamanian blogosphere, with topics ranging from the fate of former leader Manuel Noriega to a delicious tree tomato. Melissa De Leòn Douglass covers these broad topics in this blog round-up from Panama.

Cuba: Opposing Ideas

  31 July 2007

Child of the Revolution blogs about the opposing views on Cuba held by Bebo Valdes, the Cuban-born jazz musician, and his pianist son, Chucho.

Puerto Rico: Why Write?

  31 July 2007

“Am I interested enough to write about it? Fellow bloggers know how hard it is to come up with content on a regular basis.” Gil the Jenius writes about…writing!

Brazil: About the 2007 Rio Pan-American Games

  30 July 2007

After two intense weeks full of sports coverage and post-tragedy debates in the media, the XV Pan American Games in Rio de Janeiro has come to an end. Since its inauguration ceremony, where president Lula got booed by the crowd at the stadium, the event has inspired a passionate debate colored by political frictions in the local blogosphere. How the defection of Cuban athletes fits the plot? Read through the end of the post and find out what Brazilian blogs has to say about it.

Cuba, Trinidad & Tobago: Bergman Passes On

  30 July 2007

“I have always found his films to be difficult to watch, always knowing, though, that I was watching a master at work.” Babalu Blog acknowledges the passing of Swedish film director Ingmar Bergman, as does Jonathan at Trinidad's Studio Film Club blog.

Peru: Journalist Launches New Blog

  30 July 2007

C.J. Schexnayder, who also writes at Klephblog, recently launched Andean Currents, which will be “a home for the data and eratta I have come across in my research and travels.”

Guatemala: Journalist's Column Strikes a Nerve Among Bloggers

  30 July 2007

Dr. Mario Roberto Morales, a prominent writer from Central America recently wrote a column criticizing bloggers for their alleged lack of credibility. This article sparked a wave of criticisms from Guatemalan bloggers who kindly suggested that if blogs bothered him so much, then he should stop reading. In addition, they write that the freedom to publish content for the entire world to read far outweighs the generalizations that Morales puts forth.

Cuba: Castro's Keynote Speech

  27 July 2007

“So Raul described large problems that are of great interest to average Cubans…he is creating public expectations that some kind of change is coming, and that in time it will measure up to the challenges he himself has defined,” writes The Cuban Triangle of Castro's 26th July speech, while Child...

Chile: A Controversial Agreement with Microsoft

  27 July 2007

An agreement signed between the Chilean Ministry of Economy and Microsoft has stunned many Chileans. Microsoft will now have exclusive access to provide services through the Chilean government, and which will make automatic Microsoft users out of ordinary citizens. Some have stated that this agreement was not reached through a public bidding process, and there had not been an opportunity to explore open software alternatives.

Cuba: 26th July

  26 July 2007

“It’s official: Fidel Castro will not make an appearance at this year’s 26th July celebrations.” Child of the Revolution speculates about the content of Raul Castro's upcoming speech.

China: Immigrants and sea

  26 July 2007

Maryannodonnell from Shenzhen fieldnotes blogs the opening ceremony for a documentary “immigrants and sea” which is about cultural life in Latin American Coastal cities.

Peru: Deadly City of La Oroya

  26 July 2007

El útero de marita [ES] writes about the Peruvian city of La Oroya, which made a recent list of 5 deadliest cities in the world. A recent study found that 97% of children 0-6 have elevated levels of lead in their blood.

Bolivia: Capital Rally in Sucre

  26 July 2007

Ariel Cristian [ES] provides information of the rally in Sucre and writes, “during the day I will provide a lot of information and provide little opinion about what happens in Sucre, the Bolivian capital.”

Peru: Polls, Strikes, and Independence Day

  26 July 2007

As Peruvian Independence Day approaches on July 28, the atmosphere in Peru is becoming increasingly festive and the Peruvian national colors, red and white, are cropping up everywhere. However, on the political stage, there is little to celebrate. Despite the end of the teachers' strike, organized by the teacher's union, SUTEP, and despite the probability the other strikes plaguing the country will also come to an end, many people believe that these radical measures will return once the National Holiday concludes.

About our Latin America coverage

Gabriela Mesones Rojo
Gabriela Mesones Rojo is the Latin America Spanish-language editor. Email her story ideas or volunteer to write.

Fernanda Canofre
Fernanda Canofre is the Brazil editor. Email her story ideas or volunteer to write.