Stories about Latin America from June, 2009
Paraguay: The Possibility of a New Bullet Train
There is speculation that a new bullet train could be built linking the Paraguayan capital city of Asunción with the Brazilian city of Paranaguá and which uses the energy from the Itaipú dam. Carlos Rodríguez of Rescatar [es] thinks that it could be beneficial for the region.
Peru: Interview with Peruvian Books
Juan Arellano of Globalizado [es] interviews the creator of the website Peruvian Books [es], which recently celebrated its fifth anniversary. The site shares information about new books from Peruvian authors and upcoming literature conferences.
Puerto Rico: For Shame!
Litter mars one of Gil the Jenius‘ favorite Puerto Rican beaches, causing him to comment: “Every piece of garbage–every one of the thousands of pieces of garbage–indicts Us with its clear message of unconcern, of consumerism, of brainlessness, of herd mentality, of disdain, short-sightedness and sheer incompetence.”
Argentina: Kirchner Handed Defeat in Congressional Elections
The parliamentary elections held on Sunday, June 28 across Argentina have left a negative balance for the government of President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, and her husband Néstor. Their representation fell in both the Chamber of Deputies and in the Senate. Their candidates were also defeated in many of the most heavily populated provinces.
Ecuador: State Contracts With President's Brother Raise Concerns
Contracts between the state petroleum company and several private companies raised some eyebrows when it was discovered that the brother of current president Rafael Correa was a member of some of the private enterprises. Even though Fabricio Correa has been emphatic that the contracts were won legally, it is still causing the government to look bad.
Cuba, U.S.A.: Connecting the Dots
Call it coincidence, but diaspora blogger Uncommon Sense thinks that in light of news that Cuban human rights activists Jorge Luis García Pérez “Antúnez” and his wife were once again arrested, “it might be best to connect the dots”, particularly “in the wake of the NED ceremony, at which Antúnez...
Cuba: Fear of Change?
“Like the seemingly never ending US blockade that attacks Cuba’s economy from without, from the inside a corrosion process is gradually eating away at the relatively young 50-year revolution”: From Havana, Circles Robinson says that “there is a conservative political class of managers at most workplaces and government offices who...
Honduras: Zelaya Arrested and Removed as President
The day started across Honduras with news that President Mel Zelaya was arrested in his home by armed soldiers on the same day of a controversial referendum. Days earlier, Zelaya had removed the head of the Armed Forces. Reactions ranged from calling the situation a coup d'état to those who saw the move as the only way to stop Zelaya's attempts to run for an additional term.
Honduras: Still Heading to the Polls Despite Arrest of President
Despite the arrest of President Mel Zelaya and with military planes flying over the cities of Tegucigalpa and San Pedro Sula, Juan Carlos Rivera of Mirada de Halcon [es] writes that Hondurans are still heading to the polls.
Honduras: The Arrest of President Mel Zelaya
Honduran President Mel Zelaya has been arrested and Aaron Ortiz of Pensieve writes about some of the swirling rumors, as well as the fact that one of the online newspapers is down, probably by the overwhelming traffic.
Honduras: Political Crisis Over Controversial Referendum
The political crisis in Honduras is deepening after the removal of the head of the Armed Forces because of his statements that the military would not support the scheduled referendum to take place on Sunday, June 28. Now there is increased uncertainty regarding the vote. Bloggers are worried about their country's present and future.
Caribbean, USA: Tributes to the “King of Pop”
Despite the controversy which plagued him for the latter part of his eccentric life, the sudden and unexpected death of American-born entertainer Michael Jackson, dubbed "The King of Pop", has touched millions of people around the world - and the Caribbean is no exception. Regional bloggers pay their respects...
Cuba, U.S.A.: Obama & “Antúnez”
Cuban human rights activist Jorge Luis García “Antúnez” said that President Obama's words of support make a big difference for those fighting for Cuban liberty, but diaspora blogger Uncommon Sense is still of the opinion that “Obama should of, and could of, done more to honor the Democracy Award nominees.”
Cuba, U.S.A.: Missed Opportunity
Havana Times reports that U.S. President Barack Obama released a statement in which he said he hoped that all Cuban political prisoners would be released, but Uncommon Sense thinks that Cuban activists deserved better: “A busy schedule or confusion about the dates, is not enough of an excuse for President...
Colombia: Living with Flooding in Barranquilla
Barranquilla in Colombia is the most important coastal city with a distinct characteristic: no rainwater drainage systems, so whenever it rains, the whole city floods with dangerous fast running rivers (called arroyos) replacing roads. On the following videos, taxis, cars and even buses float by on the streets as other citizens try to lend a helping hand to keep them from getting away.
Cuba: Unanswered Questions
“I am waiting for a clarification about why he hasn’t accepted Obama’s proposal for U.S. telecommunications companies to provide Internet to the Cuban people. I demand, like many around me, a convincing argument for why we are not going to join the OAS…”: Generation Y says that “the list of...
Paraguay: Referendum on Performance of Congress
The relationship with the Paraguayan Congress has been difficult for President Fernando Lugo. His recent statements that he is analyzing the possibility of holding a referendum about the legislative branch's performance have raised suspicions about his true intentions. Critics claim that this shows his inability to come to a consensus with the parliament, while the ones who agree with this referendum are those who are far from satisfied with the Congress's performance.
Dominican Republic: Against the Cement Factory in Los Haitises
Dominicans have been protesting against the proposed construction of a cement factory in the protected area of Los Haitises National Park. Citing the rich biodiversity in this ecosystem, many feel like the flora and fauna would be damaged and that there are other places where this development could take place. Those involved in the online campaigns have felt like celebrating when a judge ruled that the development should be suspended due to these concerns.
Dominica, Venezuela: The Motherland?
Following Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez's visit to the island, Dominica Weekly says: “Many Dominicans have focused narrowly on the lavish developmental aid of Chavez than focusing on the fundamental issue at hand: do we support Chavez’s ideology and his vision of the motherhood of Latin American and the Caribbean.”
Cuba: Hurricane Victims
As hurricane season gets underway, Generation Y focuses on the plight of “Caletone, a town near Gibara that doesn’t even appear in the Atlas of Cuba [that] is still deep in destruction.”
Ecuador: Everything Ready for BarCamp in Guayaquil
Everything is ready for the next BarCamp in Guayaquil, Ecuador [es] that will take place on June 27. So far, there are more than 270 people registered for the event, writes Milton Ramírez.
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.
