Stories about Latin America from September, 2015
The Enormous Mural That Made a Mexican Neighborhood ‘Magical’
Germen Crew, an independent collective, painted a colorful mural stretching across 200 homes in Las Palmitas neighborhood. The "magical" project helped strengthen the community in the process.
Text-to-Speech Software Teaches How to Pronounce Words in Quechua on Social Media
Hinantin is a project aiming to develop Quechua-related software that spreads the indigenous language online through various social networks.
Latin American Authors ‘Help’ to Rescue Andean Indigenous Languages
Works by Latin American writers, including Mario Vargas Llosa and Gabriel García Márquez, will now be available in Quechua, an Andean indigenous language, thanks to a government initiative in Cusco.
Ayotzinapa: Nine Possible Answers to Questions Remaining One Year After the Disappearance of 43 Students
One year after the disappearance of 43 students from the Raúl Isidro Burgos Rural Teachers’ College in Iguala, there are still many unanswered questions about what actually happened.
Reflections on the One-Year Anniversary of the Disappearance of Students in Ayotzinapa
"For us, the night of September 26 hasn't ended," says one survivor of the Ayotzinapa tragedy. "They thought that over time they could defeat us. But that's not the case."
The Story of Raiza Ruiz, Declared Dead While Very Much Alive
Raiza Ruiz was declared dead after being in a plane crash in the Amazon. Upon being discovered alive after several days, she found herself in an unusual legal position.
Breaking Down Cultural and Racial Stereotypes About Latin Americans, One Joke at a Time
Flama uses humor to foster cultural understanding. Its collection of short videos seeks to address the complexity of Latin American identities and their sometimes-simplistic representation in North American society.
Drowned Syrian Boy Awakens Peruvians to Their Own Dying Children
A photo of a drowned Syrian boy has generated international sympathy, while images of children freezing in the Peruvian Andes have provoked a different response.
Venezuela's Oscar Entry Speaks an Indigenous Language
“Gone with the River” by Mario Crespo is Venezuela's Oscar entry in the Best Foreign Language Film… https://t.co/XR8tzauaSU — Carlos Aguilar (@Carlos_Film) September 3, 2015 Lo que lleva el río (“Gone With the River”), from Cuban-Venezuelan filmmaker Mario Crespo Dauna, is a Venezuelan film shot almost entirely in Warao, the language...
Chilean Musician Victor Jara's Rethinking of Power Lives on Long After His Murder
The singer-songwriter, murdered in the aftermath of Augusto Pinochet's coup, invited listeners to dare to dream of a future in which society wasn't separated into powerful elites and disenfranchised masses.
Dying for a Drink? This New Web Series About São Paulo's Drought Might Be for You
From the politics behind São Paulo's water management to the illusion of water as a limitless resource, this Web series presents the dire predicament of Brazil's largest city.
Egypt Kills 12 People, Including Eight Mexican Tourists, and Then Makes Excuses for It
Eight Mexican tourists were among 12 people shot to death from a helicopter in a popular tourist spot, in the Western Desert, in Egypt. Why have they been targeted?
The Promise of Justice Is Receding, Nicaraguan Women Say
Nicaragua passed Law 779 three years ago to protect domestic violence victims. But women say the law since has been watered down, and courts lack the resources to investigate complaints.
The Parents of Mexico's Missing Ayotzinapa Students Haven't Given Up the Fight for Justice
It's been almost a year since 43 student teachers disappeared. Their parents are outraged due to the lack of response to their sole demand: the safe return of their children.
Fake Weddings Set a Trend in Argentina
Nowadays, fewer and fewer couples are getting married in many parts of the world, and a group of Argentinian entrepreneurs has introduced "fake weddings" to fill the vacuum.
Preteen Mother’s Dangerous Labor Revives Concerns About Abortion Rights in Paraguay
Outrage in the wake of an 11-year-old raped by her stepfather being refused an abortion by authorities in Paraguay.
Celebrating the Musical and Comedic Work of Late ‘Les Luthiers’ Member Daniel Rabinovich
Following the death of David Rabinovich, founding member of "Les Luthiers", social media users shared fond memories of the comedian and thanked him for years of music and laughter.
Minority Women Communicators Conference Looks To ‘Occupy the Media and Internet’ in Mexico
The official announcement has been made for the Second Conference of Women Communicators of Indigenous and African Descent. The conference, whose slogan is “We occupy the media, we occupy the internet”, will take place October 6-10, 2015, at the Centro de las Artes CASA (CASA Arts Center) in San Agustín Elta,...
A Poster Show That Links Havana, Tehran and Seattle
The curators have jokingly titled the collection the “SHT show” because, they write, when the get together it’s fun. "No politics, no prejudices—just an appreciation of our common interests."
Browsing the Web from Cuba's Public Hotspots
Internet in Cuba – from public access points – is limited to using one social network, an email service, and chat and video applications.
State Government Construction Endangers the ‘Last Lung’ of the Mexican City of Oaxaca
Over 50 organizations, artists, and hundreds of citizens are protesting against the destruction of the natural heritage of El Fortín Hill, 'the last green space' in the city of Oaxaca.
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.
