· June, 2009

Stories about Latin America from June, 2009

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...

30 June 2009

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...

30 June 2009

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.

30 June 2009

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.

29 June 2009

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...

29 June 2009

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...

29 June 2009

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.

29 June 2009

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.

27 June 2009

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...

26 June 2009

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...

26 June 2009

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...

25 June 2009

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.

25 June 2009

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,...

25 June 2009

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.

25 June 2009

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.

24 June 2009

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...

24 June 2009

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...

24 June 2009

About our Latin America coverage

Melissa Vida
Melissa Vida is the Latin America and 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.