Stories about Latin America from February, 2010
Chile: Tsunami Scare on Easter Island
The Chilean territory of Easter Island is located 3500 km from the continental mainland. After the February 27 earthquake struck, the island was under a tsunami warning and where local residents and tourists used Twitter to inform about the situation.
Video: Chile Earthquake through Citizen's Eyes
As the day comes to a close, more videos crop up of the devastating 8.8 magnitude earthquake that hit Chile at 3:30 am. The earthquake, which not only affected the mainland through the ground movements, also generated tsunami waves that set out an alarm throughout the Pacific as different nations prepared for the waves to hit their shores.
Chile: The Legacy of the 1960 Earthquake in Valdivia
Fifty years ago, the strongest earthquake ever recorded in history rocked the city of Valdivia, Chile. The legacy that the earthquake has had on Chile's history was on the minds of many around the country, including many Twitter users in that city.
Chile: Powerful 8.8-Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Country
At 3:34 a.m. local time, an earthquake with a magnitude of 8.8 struck off the coast of the Maule region in Chile. Extensive damage has been reported throughout the country, and the number of casualties continues to go up.
Belize: Teachers’ Strike
Teachers are on strike in an effort to secure a pay raise: Belizean reports.
Cuba: On the Front Line
Cuban diaspora blogger Uncommon Sense says that “Orlando Zapata Tamayo's fight for liberty is not over, as reports…are that other Cuban freedom fighters are taking his place on the front lines of the struggle.”
Dominican Republic: Colorful Characters of Carnival
Carnival celebrations in the Dominican Republic begin in February and are characterized by colorful characters that are the main attraction in festivities across the island.
Global: Concerns About Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA)
The last meeting of negotiations for the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA) has provoked the protest of online communities against both its content and the circumstances of their negotiations
Cuba: Hunger Striker Dies in Havana Prison
The death of the first Cuban political prisoner to die on hunger strike since 1972 is eliciting a combination of speechlessness and outrage on the web.
365: A video a day from Cartagena, Colombia
Today from Cartagena in Colombia: UNESCO World Heritage Site and a top travel destination we bring you a selection of videos from the 365 video project participants, who are uploading one video a day during 2010.
Puerto Rico: Artifacts Seized
The Voice of the Taino People Online notes that “the French authorities confiscated a piece of the Taino culture valued as high as one million euros…”
Chile: Annual Viña del Mar Festival is Underway
The annual Viña del Mar Festival is underway in Chile. However, part of the tradition is the annual debate about the musical artists chosen to perform. Even though many Chileans love the festival, and others are indifferent, it still remains a widely watched event.
Peru: New High School for the Country's Top Students
In early 2009, Peruvian President Alan García announced the creation of a new public high school in Lima that would attract and admit the top students from across the country.
Colombia: President Calls on Citizens to be Crime Informants
In light of rising crime in many Colombian cities, President Uribe called upon university students in Medellín and taxi drivers in Cali to act as informants and provide tips on possilbe crimes.
Colombia: The Closure of Cambio Magazine
The Colombian magazine Cambio, known for its investigative reporting, was recently closed by its owners, who say it was an economic decision. However, journalists say that it was a politically motivated decision.
Mexico: Critique of the Media Coverage of the “Narco War”
Daniel Hernandez of the blog Intersections critiques the media coverage of Mexico's “Narco War” and provides examples of some recent cases.
Guatemala: Into the Capital City
Kara Andrade of New Maya writes about her recent trip into Guatemala's capital city, and writes “I grew up with a fear of Guatemala City as this monolith of chaos that swallowed up people…” However, at the end of the day, she came away with a different view of the...
Cuba: Educational Autonomy
“In these two years since Raul Castro came to power, expulsions for ideological reasons have continued – and are on an upward course – in the centers of higher education”: Generation Y blogs about evictions in Cuban universities.
Honduras: Supporting Local Tourism
Honduran blogger Guillermo Anderson is a big believer in how local tourism can help his country. He has friends who have made great sacrifices to build their small businesses and hopes that Hondurans can support this industry.
Ecuador: Saraguro Culture Blog
Ecuadorian blogger Angel Gualán recently unveiled his new blog called Mashi Angel [es] where he will continue to write about the Saraguro culture.
Colombia: Slogans During Election Season
With the upcoming legislative elections in Colombia set for March 14, 2010, campaign signs and other ads are showing up across Colombia. Juan David Escobar of the blog Reticente [es] took out his camera to capture some of the slogans that are being used in the ads.
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.
