Stories about Latin America from December, 2013
Art in the Trolley – Invading Public Spaces in Quito
Art in the Trolley is an initiative of intervention in the public spaces of Quito's transportation system known as the Trolleybus. Get to know them.
The Best of Infoactivism LATAM 2013
The SocialTIC team lists "The Year's Best in Latin American Infoactivism," projects and events that inspired them to use the TIC to generate social impact in 2013.
Widespread Power Outages Leave Argentines Dying of Heat
Record high temperaturas provokes energy crisis in Argentina, leaving many citizens in the dark.
The Amazon, a Story of Destruction in the Name of Development
On December 2013, Agência Pública news agency launched 'Public Amazon', its first book of journalistic reports in Portuguese, with a debate to discuss the region's dilemmas.
Colombia: 60 Unfading Phrases of 2013
The blog Unfading phrases of Colombians [es] features the 60 unfading phrases of 2013 [es]. This an annual compilation, or from nationalwide events, such as football soccer [es]. The ongoing peace negotiation process held in Havana, Cuba, was among the topics of the selected phrases, as the one by Colombian...
Brazilian Ruralists Hold ‘Auction for Resistance’ Against Indigenous Land Claims
An auction in Mato Grosso do Sul raised one million Brazilian reals for armed security on farms "against indigenous occupations. Ruralists claimed the funds would not finance a militia.
4 Women Journalists Defying the Odds in Mexico City
This post is part of our series on gender and sexuality in Latin America and the Caribbean in collaboration with North American Congress on Latin America (NACLA). Despite the low salaries and the dangers that come with being a reporter in the most dangerous country for journalists in the Americas, some Mexican female...
“Beyond Brazil”: European Journalists Wanted for Reporting Trips
Coolpolitics in Portugal announces [pt] an open call for European journalists who want to go on a reporting trip to Brazil in 2014. Twenty-one young reporters from Portugal, The Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, United Kingdom and Bulgaria will be selected to take part of three different groups that will cover events in Brazil,...
Tour Builder, Another Google Service Not Allowed for Cubans
Google maintains that it bases its decision on the provisions of the United States' economic embargo on Cuba.
The Postcolonialist Calls for Submissions on ‘Sites of Home’
A recently launched online magazine and journal, The Postcolonialist, is calling for submissions for the upcoming edition of its academic journal. The Postcolonialist is an inter-disciplinary, multi-lingual publication featuring research, commentary, and creative production from and about postcolonial regions and perspectives. The About page of the website adds: We are an alternative and interactive avenue by which scholars, journalists, writers...
Coffee Blight in El Salvador Leads to Dramatic Drop in Exports
Coffee export revenues fell 40% in October and November of 2013 in El Salvador. Tim's El Salvador Blog reports on the blight affecting coffee farms throughout the country: Last week El Salvador's National Assembly finally established a fund for combating the coffee blight known as “la roya” and the ministry...
Mapping the ‘Urban Commons’ of Rio de Janeiro, Istanbul and Athens
Pablo de Soto's research project discusses the control governments have over societies' shared goods, and establishes a connection between the commons and production as collectively owned resources.
New Version of Brazil's Marco Civil Submitted to the House of Representatives
On December 11, congressman Alessandro Molon (PT-RJ) submitted to the Brazilian House of Representatives the new version of the Marco Civil.
Dozens Detained on Human Rights Day in Cuba
Bloggers, punk rockers, intellectuals, dissidents, and a pair of Argentine tourists were all detained in Cuba last week, just in time for international Human Rights Day.
“We Are More Alive Than Ever:” Coral Herrera and the Struggle for Gender Equality
In this second part of an interview with scholar and blogger Coral Herrera we discuss the struggle for gender equality in Latin America and the road that remains before us.
Documentary: Mining's Terrible Consequences for Brazil's People and Environment
On the eve of the vote of Brazil's new Mining Code, a documentary produced by collective Mídia NINJA appeared to give voice to the communities in regions affected by mining.
Cuba: Madiba Was Great, But Not Perfect
Cuban blog Without Evasion says the best way in which she can pay tribute to Nelson Mandela is by “imitating him in forgiveness and reconciliation”: I forgive you…for the friendship with…the vilest dictator my people has ever had…for placing your hand –redemptive for your people- on the bloodied shoulders of...
Cubans’ Daily Concerns Trump Controversial Handshake
While the Obama-Raúl thing sent a large part of the exiled Cuban-American community…into an uproar, in Havana [it] was little more than just another bit of news. Iván García offers insight as to why most Cubans overlooked the exchange.
Meet 5 Brazilian Women Who Do What They Love and Love What They Do
These interviews, together with beautiful photos, are from a digital fortnightly magazine that tells the story and the creative process of Brazilians who love what they do.
Mexico's Congress Approves Energy Reform Bill Ending State Oil Monopoly
Mexico's Senate approves an energy reform bill that will end a 75-year state oil monopoly and open the door to private national and international investment.
Chungui: Digging up the Horror of Terrorism in Peru
30 years ago, hundreds of people were victims of terrorism in the remote communities of Chungui and Oreja de Perro.
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.
