· January, 2009

Stories about Latin America from January, 2009

Best Blogs Brazil: Winners by jury, public and hacker votes

  31 January 2009

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

  30 January 2009

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.

Cuba: Hope and Change

  30 January 2009

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

  29 January 2009

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.”

Cuba: Human Rights & Political Prisoners

  29 January 2009

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

  29 January 2009

“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...

Peru: Interview with Juan Arellano

  28 January 2009

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

  28 January 2009

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?

  28 January 2009

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

  28 January 2009

“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

  28 January 2009

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

  27 January 2009

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

  27 January 2009

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

  27 January 2009

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

  26 January 2009

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

  26 January 2009

Cuban blogger Yoani Sanchez explains why she doesn't feel like a victim, but rather, responsible.

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.