Stories about Latin America from January, 2009
Best Blogs Brazil: Winners by jury, public and hacker votes
Who won the Best Blogs Brazil 2008? Specialists and the public went to the polls and the winners were announced at Campus Party last week. The competition, which did not offer a money prize just prestige, was taken very seriously by contenders, some even willing to cheat to win.
R.E.S.C.A.T.A.R.: Dengue: Manu militari contra la irresponsabilidad
Carlos Rodríguez of Rescatar [es] writes that is shameful that the local government must threaten property owners to keep their land free of standing water, which is a breeding ground for mosquitoes. This is very important since Paraguay is suffering from the spread of dengue caused by these mosquitoes.
Ecuador: Finding a Candidate to Face Correa
The opposition in Ecuador is having a tough time finding a suitable candidate to face current President Rafael Correa writes La Voz de Guamote [es].
Cuba: Hope and Change
On hearing the news that two black Cubans were arrested “after they were heard making favorable comments” about the Obama presidency, Uncommon Sense has these words for the new president: “Please do not let their faith in you, and their faith in real hope and change for their country, be...
Paraguay: English Words in Advertising
José Ángel Lopez Barrios is not too pleased with the emergence of so many English words in advertising that are being adopted by Paraguayan stores [es]. He gives the example of the word “Sale”, which in Spanish means “get out.”
Colombia: Ex-Mayor Sentenced for Ordering the Murder of Journalist
Victor Solano of ¿Comunicación? [es] writes that the former mayor of the Colombian town of Barrancabermeja was sentenced to 28 years in prison for ordering the murder of journalist Emeterio Rivas.
Cuba: Raul in Russia
Child of the Revolution, Una Familia en Cuba [Sp] and Havana Times all blog about Cuban President Raul Castro's official visit to Russia.
Cuba: Human Rights & Political Prisoners
As The Cuban Triangle reports that Cuba is about to face a human rights review, Uncommon Sense says that women are also among the political prisoners on the island.
Brazil: Obama present in Rio Carnival
“Drunken, sweaty Obamas will be running wild all over the city come February. Though I think this particular mask is kind of creepy, it's a Carnival tradition to wear masks of famous people and to dress up in costumes, just like Americans do on Halloween”, Rachel reports from Rio de...
Colombia: President Uribe's Prospects for Re-Election
Marsares of equinoXio takes a look at some of the prospects for a re-election of Colombian president Álvaro Uribe.
Peru: Interview with Juan Arellano
Global Voices in Spanish coordinator Juan Arellano is interviewed by Ikitozz City [es] about the Peruvian blogosphere and his work at Global Voices.
Colombia: Against Bullfighting in Medellín
Andreata of Jovenes Pensantes [es] thinks that more people should protest the annual bullfighting festival in Medellín, Colombia since it is “another death celebrated by many insensitive persons and executed by those.. bullfighters.“
Bolivia: Child Labor a Question of Culture?
Juan Vasquez of Un Boliviano en la Argentina [es] describes a recent conversation with some friends about the practice of child labor, and one wonders whether it is a question of culture noting that many rural children work in the field as a means of learning from parents.
Bolivia: Under-20 Football Team Loses Yet Again
“More of the Same,” writes Jaime Galarza of Once a Once [es] regarding the latest in a string of international debacles by the Under-20 Bolivian National Team, who lost all three games in the first round of the South American football tournament.
Mexico: Startling Discovery in Tijuana
Hache [es] writes about the recent discovery of a man hired by drug cartels in Tijuana, Mexico who disposed the bodies of a reported 300 murdered victims in cauldrons of acid and that the man felt “nothing.” He also claimed that “it is a common job.”
Brazil: Extradition refusal threatens relations with Italy
The Brazilian government calls Cesare Battisti a political activist. For the Italian government, the writer is a convicted terrorist. The controversial decision of the Brazilian government to guarantee political refugee status for him, two weeks ago, has divided opinions in Brazil.
Peru: Police Officers Killed in Pómac Forest Reserve
Three police officers, who were following a court order, were killed when they attempted to remove peasant families that had been illegally occupying lands in the Pómac Forest Reserve in Northwest Peru. Many Peruvians are mourning the loss of the 3 officers and are placing blame on officials for not providing enough resources and support for the security force. Others are providing their thoughts on those who are occupying the lands and their objectives for doing so.
Cuba: Political Prisoners
Diaspora blogger Uncommon Sense reports on the experience of some of Cuba's political prisoners because he believes that “it is a truth that one day will set them, and their country, free.”
Guatemala: Experiences in Birdwatching
Guatemala is a major destination for birdwatchers from around the world. The number of species of birds in the country's diverse habitats is more than 700. Many of these birdwatchers are writing about their experiences in blogs, while others are worried about the bird habitats due to environmental destruction.
Cuba: Being Responsible
Cuban blogger Yoani Sanchez explains why she doesn't feel like a victim, but rather, responsible.
Bolivia: Final Unofficial Results of Constitutional Referendum
Miguel Centellas of Pronto* has unofficial final results of the Bolivian Constitutional Referendum.
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.
