Stories about Latin America from September, 2009
Cuba: Eye on Honduras
Writing at Havana Times, Circles Robinson posts an update on developments in Honduras, adding: “Here in Cuba, the parliament has taken a position of strong protest of the coup and the military repression, and the island’s media is closely watching developments.”
People with disabilities and the promise of ICTs
More than 600 million people in the world live with disabilities. Oftentimes, poverty and disabilities go hand-in-hand. Can the promise of ICTs help disabled people better integrate socially and economically?
Brazil: Socio-digital Inclusion through the Lan House Revolution
The poorest and most excluded population of Brazil have increasingly more access to the Internet through Local Area Networks. But, has the digital inclusion promoted by lan houses across the country affected human development in Brazil?
Paraguay: Favorite Places to Party in Asunción
Muna Annahas shares her favorite places to party in the Paraguayan capital of Asunción.
Honduras: State of Exception Suspends Constitutional Rights
The Honduran government recently declared a State of Exception and suspended many Constitutional rights because of reports of a planned mass uprising. Aaron Ortiz of Pensieve has a rundown on what has been suspended.
Venezuela: Expectations for the Oliver Stone Documentary
The trailer for the documentary called “South of the Border” from U.S. filmmaker Oliver Stone, which profiles Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez, has been a topic within Venezuelan blogosphere.
Costa Rica: Solar Halo in the Sky
A solar halo has Costa Rica's citizens looking up at the sky and taking pictures to share with their members of their social networks. You can see some of the uploaded pictures of this natural phenomenon on Twitpic, like this one taken by @lucianaguz and this other one taken by...
Cuba: Concert for Peace
The "Paz sin Fronteras" concert organized by the Colombian singer Juanes and celebrated on Sunday September 20, 2009, at iconic Revolution Square in Havana, Cuba, ignited many passions and heated debates. Posts from Cuban bloggers, living in Cuba and in other countries, show the diversity of opinions on Cuba's political situation and future.
Peru: Preservation Efforts in the Chan Chan Archaeological Site
Chan Chan is an archaeological site located in Northern Peru and suffers from the negative effects of looters and natural phenomena. A number of preservation efforts are taking place, including a project led by a group of housewives.
Cuba: underground punk
Octavo Cerco posts video and photos from a concert by a Cuban underground punk band. “It looks like this year Porno Para Ricardo has broken its record of concerts given, that happens when the authorities assume you do not exist publicly.”
Cuba: activist arrested and released
Uncommon Sense reports the arrest and subsequent release of Cuban activist and journalist Belinda Salas Tapanes in Havana. “Salas is president of the Federation of Latin American Women (FLAMUR), one of the more effective opposition groups in Cuba.”
Honduras: Citizen Videos from a Country Under Curfew
A curfew has been imposed by the interim government in Honduras while clashes between protesters and police persist after the return on September 21 of ousted president Mel Zelaya. Citizens have captured videos on the streets.
Mexico: Protests Against Nomination of Arturo Chávez for Attorney General
Human rights activists in Mexico are opposing the recent nomination of Arturo Chávez as Mexican Attorney General. They say he did little to solve the murders of women, when he served in the state of Chihuahua.
Turkey: Next Country to Recognize Abkhazia?
Window on Eurasia reports that “there appears to be a chance that Turkey, despite denials by its officials, might break the embargo against recognition [of Abkhazia] because of Ankara’s desire to play a greater role in the Caucasus region, its own long-standing experience as the only country to recognize the...
Brazil: Has a free Internet really appeared on the electoral scene?
With the new electoral reform in Brazil, the individual Internet user is now obliged to behave as a media entrepreneur, unable to analyse candidates' positions and losing the right to freedom of expression.
Honduras: Scenes in El Carmen Colonia
HablaHonduras [es] posts videos of scenes in El Carmen Colonia in San Pedro Sula.
Honduras: Uncertainty of the Crisis
David Morán of El Catracho [es] does not know “where and when this conflict will end, and more importantly, how..” and believes that the light at the end of the tunnel would be free elections.
Honduras: Ports and Airports Closed
Honduras Daily News writes that all ports and airpots are closed today due to the continuing crisis in Honduras.
Honduras: Curfew Lifted During Day
Aaron Ortiz of Pensieve writes that the Micheletti government in Honduras is lifting the curfew today so that people can buy groceries to “expect incredibly long lines, ‘venta loca’ (mad sales) at the markets.”
Ecuador: Festival of Independent Art in Pillaro
Gabo of Ambato Loco [es] posts a video from the Festival of Indpendent Art in the city of Pillaro, Ecuador.
Bolivia: Lloyd Aereo Boliviano Reappears Like Phoenix
Erika Pinto writes that the former state airline Lloyd Aereo Boliviano continues to reappear like a “phoenix” [es] now that it is continuing to fly in partnership with the military transport company TAM, after many failed attempts to continue flying as its own company.
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.
