Stories about Latin America from April, 2008
Brazil: Homicide counter on the streets
Recife is the first city in Brazil and in the world to have a homicide counter installed on the streets. Since January 1st only, there have been 1,511 deaths in the city, 11 of them today. “Now, the public can monitor our blog's data not only on the Internet but...
Brazil: WordPress attorney blogs about the blocking
Marcel Leonardi [pt], the Brazilian attorney who is representing WordPress in the case of a possible ban on the platform in the country, blogs: “In the motion filled by the Automattic Inc. [on Monday], among other pieces of information, it has been highlighted the tremendous damage that the blanket ban...
Cuba: Las Damas de Blanco
It has been the most discussed topic in the Cuban blogosphere over the last week: the arrest of Las Damas de Blanco as they staged a peaceful demonstration for the release of their husbands, jailed by the Castro regime.
Cuba: Passing Sentence
Child of the Revolution, Uncommon Sense and Ninety miles away…in another country all comment on Raul Castro's decision “to commute most death sentences to 30 years to life in prison.”
Barbados: False Pride?
“Tourism has become the life blood of most of the Caribbean countries and it needs to be re-energized”: Living in Barbados wonders whether the region can be proud of its tourism offering.
Brazil: Orkut vs Facebook
Raquel Recuero [pt] has a long post explaining why Brazilians love Orkut so much that they have paid no attention whatsoever to facebook – at least so far.
Paraguay: More Blogger Reactions to Lugo Victory
After a decisive victory in the recent Paraguayan presidential elections, local bloggers provide their thoughts on their hopes for the new government of Fernando Lugo, Others take a look at the tenure of outgoing president Nicanor Duarte, while others revel in the long awaited victory over the Colorado party.
Caribbean: Food Shortages
“If music be the food of love, play on”, wrote Shakespeare, who could not possibly have anticipated the global food crisis the world is facing today. Rising food prices are a hot topic with bloggers the world over – and the Caribbean is no different. The “music” coming out of...
Venezuela: Debates on the New Educational Curriculum
The Venezuelan government's new proposal for the elementary school education system has created a new point of debate in the country. While some say that the previous program needs to be reinforced in social and socialist values, as well as patriotic ideas, some others claim they're worried that this new system can be, above all, a new way of make children learn the government's doctrines. Bloggers provide their thoughts on the new proposals.
Nicaragua: The Return of Silvio Rodríguez
On the blog of Radio La Primerísima [es], Luis Enrique Godoy reviews the two concerts of Silvo Rodríguez, who returned to Nicaragua after 25 years. and he compares the contrast between the countries at both of those times.
Argentina: Bloggers at Buenos Aires Book Fair
Fabio provides a list of bloggers scheduled to appear [es] and speak at the Buenos Aires book fair through May 10.
Nicaragua: Ranking on UNDP Human Development Index
Nicaragua currently is listed 110 out of 154 countries in the United Nations Development Programme's Human Development Index. Isabel Valdez González of McDonald [es] wonders why the government does not take concrete steps to change this and compares its situation to its neighbor Costa Rica.
Peru: MRTA No Longer on US Terrorist List
Silvio Rendon of Gran Combo Club [es] notices that the guerrilla group MRTA (Revolutionary Movement Tupac Amaru) is no longer listed on the U.S. list of terrorist groups, and that its declassification was made with little fanfare.
Ecuador: Food Prices and Demand Might Help Farmers
ABA of Cambiemos Ecuador [es] wonders whether the rise in food prices and higher demand might be beneficial for some Ecuadoran farmers, who might be able to begin cultivate unused land.
Colombia: Memories of a Love Dashed by the Guerrillas
Uhelmdn of Airsounds [es] remembers an episode in his hometown of Ciudad Bolívar, Colombia, where an encounter with a platonic love had to be forgotten as word that the guerrillas had arrived into the town spread like wildfire causing panic forcing everyone to flee home.
Venezuela: Update on the Simpsons Controversy
Luis Carlos Díaz of Periodismo de Paz [es] provides an update on the controversy involving the Simpsons in Venezuela. Turns out that the show will be moved to “supervised” prime time slot in the evening, but would allow for more children to see it because most are in school during...
Guatemala: Celebrating Earth Day and Ways to Preserve
Guatemala's forests and natural beauty are a source of pride for many Guatemalans. However, environmental neglect and destruction are also a concern, and local bloggers provide thoughts on how to ensure their preservation.
Ecuador: Mines Back to the State
In the Ecuadoran Constituent Assembly, there is a proposal to revert the mines back to the state, and Libertad Ecuador [es] thinks that is a bad idea for the country's development.
Colombia: Latin American Web 2.0 Gathering
Victor Solano of ¿Comunicación? [es] provides a post-event evaluation of the First Latin American Web 2.0 Gathering held in Bogotá, Colombia, which attracted 160 attendees and another 130 virtual participants.
Honduras: Report on Melon Contamination
La Gringa's Blogicito provides continuing coverage of melon contamination in Honduras and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's recent report on their investigation into the matter.
Argentina: Price Differential in Travel for Tourists and Nationals
Foreign tourists and Argentine nationals pay different fares for internal flights in the country. Argentina's Travel Guide provides some background information on the policy and that the law to eliminate this price differential has yet to be implemented.
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.
