· May, 2011

Stories about Latin America from May, 2011

“Shame for Brazil” Forest Defender Couple Murdered

  31 May 2011

Six months after he predicted his own murder in TEDx Amazônia, the environmentalist José Cláudio Ribeiro da Silva was assassinated together with his wife in an ambush possibly articulated by loggers of the region. Bloggers mourn the loss on the eve of the approval of the new Forestry Code.

Bolivia: Do Massive Religious Images Promote Tourism?

  31 May 2011

Luis Ramos in Citizen of La Paz [es] writes about two projects in Bolivia to build “the largest religious statue in the world” and asks: “can religious images alone promote tourism?” He argues that before building “cement idols” Bolivia should focus on creating adequate conditions for tourists to visit cities...

Mexico: Blogger Interviews Teacher Who Sang to Students During Shooting

  31 May 2011

Martha Rivera Alanis, the teacher who sang to her students during a shooting in Monterrey, México was given an award for her bravery. In an interview with Regioblogs [es], Martha describes what happened before, during and after the shooting. She explains she decided to sing to the children to try...

Mexico: ‘Información Cívica’ Summarizes Week in Civil Society

  30 May 2011

David Sasaki in Información Cívica explains they will “begin publishing weekly summaries of what Open Society Foundation partners in various countries around Latin America are sharing via their websites, blogs, and social media accounts.” Their first summary focuses on their partners in Mexico.

Uruguay Implements Argentinean Initiative ‘I read this book’

  30 May 2011

In Pires Mios [es], Macarena announces that the initiative ‘I read this book’ (in Spanish: “yo leí este libro”) that began in Argentina is now being implemented in Uruguay. On its official blog [es], the organizers explain how it works: you leave a book on the street (in a bench,...

Mexico: Blood Fountains

  30 May 2011

During the last weekend of May 2011, activists from the movement "Let's stop the bullets, let's paint the fountains" stained the water of a famous statue in Mexico City blood red. Participants walked around the monument shouting slogans like "Not one more dead!" and "Out Calderón!"

Cuba: On Emails and Blogs

  29 May 2011

Due to limited acces to the Internet in Cuba, blogger Yasmín Portales Machado has decided to publish on her blog En 2310 y 8225 [es] the comments on her posts that have been circulated through email, which is more easily available in Cuba.

Cuba: Five Intellectuals Analyze the 15-M

  29 May 2011

The blog La Pupila Insomne [es] has convened five intellectuals [es] to discuss and analyze the social movement 15-M (May 15) that has developed in Spain in recent weeks.

Puerto Rico: Debate on Media and Politics

  29 May 2011

Journalist Sandra Rodríguez Cotto analyzes the recent debate [es] on the alleged donations of the largest and most influential newspaper in the Island, El Nuevo Día [es], to the politician Jorge De Castro Font, convicted of federal charges on corruption.

Puerto Rico: Video on the Gas Pipeline Route

  29 May 2011

Historian and blogger Ivonne Acosta posts the video of a reportage on the beautiful route [es] through which a proposed gas pipeline will run through. Environmentalists and community activists are opposing the state-sponsored project.

Honduras: Former President Manuel Zelaya Returns

  29 May 2011

Ousted president Manuel Zelaya returned to Honduras from exile nearly two years after he was removed from office through a coup. Bloggers report on the atmosphere before and after his arrival, and analyze what his return means for the country.

Peru: Growing Debate Regarding Genetically Modified Farming

  28 May 2011

The official signing of Decree 003, which permits the import of genetically modified seeds into the country, continues to generate debate between those in favor of the widespread use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and those who fear it would be harmful to the country's biodiversity and the health of its people.

El Salvador: Problems After Change in Propane Gas Subsidy

  28 May 2011

El Salvador from the Inside explains the controversy over a change in the propane gas subsidy which was meant to help the poor. The subsidy is now “tied to your electric bill [and] given only to those who use less than a specific number of Kilowatts […] In theory, it...

About our Latin America coverage

Gabriela Mesones Rojo
Gabriela Mesones Rojo is the Latin America 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.