Stories about Latin America from September, 2010
Ecuador: Police Strike Denounced as Attempt to Destabilize Country
The Ecuadorian police are leading a strike against reforms to the public service law, unleashing chaos in the country. Since this morning, Twitter users have been reporting on the events and reacting to the developing news.
Cuba: “En Practica”
In the wake of massive public sector layoffs, how exactly are the rules for proposed self-employment going to work? Generation Y says: “Like a repertoire of destitution and dependency, this enumeration of private work seems more in tune with a feudal village than a 21st century country”, while El Yuma...
Haiti, Dominican Republic: The Presence of DR Troops
Wadner Pierre says that “the decision of the Dominican government to send troops in Haiti proved the participation of the Dominican government in destabilizing Haiti peace”.
Colombia: University of Antioquia Closed After Clash Between Students And Police
The University of Antioquia, one of the most prestigious institutions of higher education in Colombia, was closed September 15 following a confrontation between students and police. Using blogs and twitter, the students of the University have been reporting on the events and giving their opinions on the closing and expected reopening.
Chile: 80 days later, Mapuche still on hunger strike
Today marks 80 days of the Mapuche hunger strike over the Anti-terror law in Chile. Observatorio Ciudadano published a list [es] of demonstrations that will take place throughout Chile and in Italy to support the Mapuche on their hunger strike.
Colombia: Rainy Season Especially Strong This Year
Albeiro Rodas writes that this year's rainy season”has been especially strong, according to the authorities.” He also writes about a landslide that took place yesterday and “covered the Medellín – Urabá Road in Manglar county, municipality of Giraldo. Thirty persons were reported missing when tons of mud and stones fall...
Argentina: Clarifying Myths about Tierra del Fuego
In Patria SI, Colonia NO, Gabriel Carol clarifies [es] five myths about Tierra del Fuego, an archipelago in the southernmost tip of Argentina. These myths include that Tierra del Fuego is unsafe, that it invests a lot of money in education, and that the region depends on its natural resources.
El Salvador: Aquaponics in El Salvador
Colleen writes about Aquaponics, “the combination of freshwater fish aquaculture and hydroponic vegetable production” in El Salvador for her blog Locavore del Mundo where she covers local farms and food movements around the world.
Mexico: Landslide in Oaxaca Buries 300 Homes
Erwin from The Latin Americanist writes: “In a piece of breaking news hundreds of people are feared to be trapped in the Mexican state of Oaxaca as a result of a massive landslide during the overnight hours.”
Nicaragua: Blogger Interviews Journalist About Covering Sexual Diversity
Espacio Nica [es] published an interview with journalist Rafael Lara from El Nuevo Diario [es], where a blogger asks him about covering sexual diversity for the newspaper and as a journalist in general.
Bolivia: The Story of the Uncle and Other Scams
They are often the oldest tricks in the book, yet people still continue to fall for them. In Bolivia, like other South American countries, a scam or attempt to con is often called “El Cuento del Tío” (The Story of the Uncle). Bolivian bloggers share their own story of being swindled.
Dominican Republic: “The numbers do not add up”
“This week in the main newspapers we saw many numbers that were supposed to reflect the state of the economy and the public administration's financial solvency. More than offering certainties, they caused more doubts,” analyzes journalist and blogger María Isabel Soldevila in Con mis ojos [ES].
Ecuador: Former Football Referee Caught Smuggling Heroin to United States
Ecuadorians are devastated and surprised by news about one of their citizens: this past week, football referee Byron Moreno Ruales was caught trying to smuggle 6 kilos of heroin strapped to his body through the JFK international airport in New York City.
Uruguay: A Weekend Celebrating the Country's Heritage
Every year, Uruguayans dedicate a whole weekend to remember their heritage during the so-called “día del Patrimonio” (Heritage Day); they attend different cultural events and visit historic sites and venues. To commemorate the weekend, Todo Por la Misma Plata [es] shares three videos of Uruguayan musicians.
Venezuela: Blogging Throughout Legislative Elections
Daniel Duquenal blogged throughout yesterday's legislative elections, adding information as the day went by and responding to numerous comments.
Venezuela: A day in the life of an electoral worker
The Devil's Excrement shares, “A day in the life of an electoral worker in Venezuela.”
Brazil: Mainstream media flaw on Senator's life condition
The politician Romeu Tuma [pt], a candidate for reelection in the Brazilian Senate, was wrongly announced dead by national mainstream media on September 24, “despite the fact he's alive, although, at the hospital”, as Pierre Lucena from blog Acerto de Contas [Getting even, pt] comments.
The Invisible Border Between Ecuador and Colombia
The Colombia-Ecuador border is once again a contentious issue. Both countries have a border of 586 km and with it a long history of conflict, mutual accusations and reports of armed conflict and displacement.
Brazil: Monitoring the Reform of a Park in Sao Paulo
Though September 21 is a national day to celebrate trees in Brazil, SOS Parque Água Branca [SOS White Water Park, pt] blog called it the “Day of the Dead Tree” this year, criticizing the implementation of a reform project to this green area in the city of Sao Paulo where...
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.
