· June, 2011

Stories about Latin America from June, 2011

Bolivia: Using Cellphone Cameras to Document Incidents

  30 June 2011

On June 28 Oscar Trujillo was hit by the driver of police colonel Guido Espinoza in La Paz. After Trujillo complained, the colonel got out of his car and assaulted him, even taking out his weapon. The incident was recorded with cellphone cameras. Blogger Mario R. Duran [es] of Palabras...

Brazil: 40 Cities Make the Freedom March

  30 June 2011

Forty Brazilian cities had their streets taken over by the Freedom March on Saturday 18 June. A multitude of groups, collectives, movements, entities and outraged people rallied around the country dreaming and fighting for freedom.

Guatemala: Electoral Authorities Reject Sandra Torres Presidential Bid

  30 June 2011

Sandra Torres divorced her husband, President Alvaro Colom, to be eligible to run for president. But things didn't turn out as planned. Mike in Central American Politics reports: “On Wednesday, Guatemalan electoral authorities rejected Sandra Torres's presidential candidacy on the grounds of “supposed legal fraud.” The TSE's resolution said that...

Peru: Peace Restored in Puno Following Agreements

  30 June 2011

Through the enforcement of recent statutes put in place by the executive, little by little peace is being restored in the Puno region after recent conflict and social unrest (both related to mining) that resulted in the death of 6 and more than 30 wounded and millions in material losses. Social networks are buzzing with commentary.

Cuba: Train Accident Injures 79

  29 June 2011

Babalu links to a story about a train crash that has injured nearly 80 people in Cuba, commenting: “The decaying infrastructure and transportation system in Cuba…continues to take a deadly toll on the Cuban people.”

Ecuador's Growing Problem with Organized Crime

  28 June 2011

Bloggings by Boz, explains that “Ecuador is experiencing more violent and organized crime because of an increase in drug trafficking”, and points out: “The most recent surveys I saw in Ecuador showed that crime is becoming a political liability for President Correa.”

Cuba: Methodist Pastor Replaced

  28 June 2011

“When Cuba is free, those who accommodated, appeased and apologized for the Castro regime to preserve their own standing will not be absolved”: Uncommon Sense blogs about the actions of Cuba's Methodist Bishop, who reportedly replaced one of the church's pastors, allegedly “because of his good relations with Cuban dissidents.”

Brazil: Despite Protests, Government Insists on Belo Monte Dam

  28 June 2011

There are recent developments in the controversy regarding Belo Monte Hydroelectric Plant and its dams, the world's third largest project in terms of energy capacity, which is to be built in heart of the Amazon. On June 1, Belo Monte's license for construction was approved. On the web and on the street, citizens call "Stop Belo Monte".

Video: Celebrating the Solstice

The celebrations for Summer and Winter Solstices were full of lanterns, dances, flowers and bonfires. Lets tour around the world to check out the different celebrations: Solstice at Stonehenge, Feast of Saint John's bonfires in Spain, Inti Raymi in Peru, we tripantu in Chile and Kupala Day in Russia or Midsummer's night in Poland.

Cuba: Hunger Striker to Leave Island

  27 June 2011

Uncommon Sense reports that hunger striker Jorge Cervantes Garcia has ended his protest and “will be allowed to leave Cuba once he has recovered from the physical effects of his protest.”

Guatemala: What can you eat with one dollar?

  27 June 2011

In Central American Politics, Mike posts a video where Francisco Fion of the World Food Program explains that about half of the population of Guatemala lives in poverty with 7 quetzales a day –about 1 US dollar. How much food can you buy with 7 quetzales? Watch the video to...

Argentina: Buenos Aires ‘Cartoneros’

  27 June 2011

Simon Kofoed, In his blog argen-times, writes about ‘cartoneros': “The tens of thousands of cartoneros, perhaps best translated as cardboard people, make their living by extracting recyclable materials from the city’s rubbish.”

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.