Stories about Latin America from October, 2008
Nicaragua: Student Frustrations
Diego Renan writes about the frustrations of some students at the Central American University in Nicaragua [es], including the inaccessibility for handicapped students, who have classes on floors without elevators or ramps.
Paraguay: Lugo Set to Visit Bush at the White House
Paraguayan president Fernando Lugo is set to visit the White House and President George W. Bush next week. With Bush on his way out, Pepa Kostianovsky of De Pe a Pa [es] doesn't see the point and wonders why even make the long trip north [es].
Cuba: Categorizing
Cuban blogger Yoani Sanchez refuses to be labeled.
Cuba: Ties That Bind?
Steven's Cuba Blog and Havana Times report on the formal resumption of ties between the European Union and Cuba, while Child of the Revolution adds: “the Cubans say they are happy to restart an open and constructive dialogue with the EU – on the Cubans’ terms, of course, which essentially...
Costa Rica: Open Air mine ecological? Bloggers think not.
Costa Rican bloggers have raised their voices in alarm at the government's decision to approve a project to cut down acres of forest for an open air gold mine near the border with Nicaragua. The President's contradicting opinions, ecology and the social impact of open air gold mines are discussed.
Honduras: Heavy Rains and Climate Change
The rains in El Progreso, Honduras are causing alarming effects and it seems that climate changes are affecting the entire country writes Sandra Erika Gómez of Vaya Pues! [es]
Ecuador: One Blogger's Thoughts on the 15 Most Relevant Blogs
Eduardo Palacios of Technodatum [es] lists the 15 most relevant blogs in Ecuador in his opinion, and invites readers to add to the list.
Costa Rica: Environmental Disasters in Osa and Crucitas
Jaguar del Platanar [es] is worried about man-made environmental disasters in the Costa Rican communities of Osa and Crucitas.
Bolivia: First Draft Constitution a Bargaining Chip?
Bolivian President Evo Morales recently revealed that the first draft Constitution was originally planned to be used as a way to bargain the opposition in accepting a more moderate document. If that is the case, Miguel Centellas of Pronto* writes that it was reckless, and that Morales, “may have to...
Brazilian myths and haunts on the Lusosphere – Part 2
On the first article of this series, we searched Brazilian websites that could tell us some stories about the haunts and the mythical beings of Brazilian folklore. Now, in the second article, we will sit and listen to the tales of myth, legend and fear told by Brazilian bloggers; tales about Cabeça de Cuia and Caboclo D'Água, and about the beautiful and sad tale of the Vitória Régia, and give more details about the mysterious Loira do Banheiro and her terrible death.
Brazil: Blogging to get a voice
On introducing his blogs to friends, Brazilian blogger Alexandre [pt] has to continually answer to the question about why he blogs if it brings him no money. His answer is always: “I get a “voice”! It is very cool to be able to debate ideas, share view points, have a...
Cuba, Jamaica: Press Freedom Index
Diaspora bloggers from Cuba (Uncommon Sense) and Jamaica (My View of JamDown from Up So) talk about where their respective countries fall in the recently-released Reporters Without Borders 2008 press freedom index.
Brazil: A Musical Doctrine
Lou Gold, from VisionShare, blogs (in English and Portuguese) and posts some videos about the musical doctrine of Santo Daime and his personal happiness about the recent visit of an important Daime family and its musical entourage to Brasilia, Brazil.
Argentina: Government Seeks to Nationalize Private Retirement Funds
The government of Argentina recently announced that they would send a proposal to the Congress by which the Pension and Retirement Plan Administration or AFJP in Spanish (also known as mutual funds in the US) would become nationalized. The AFJP privately manages millions of Argentineans' retirement funds, and under the proposal, their funds would now go to the State. Many blogs have commented on the possible changes.
Colombia: Indigenous Protests and Murders Under Media Blackout
Indigenous groups in the Cauca region of Colombia have been marching and protesting their way to Cali, one of the countries larger cities. Accusations of government fire weapon usage against protesters have bloggers expectant of the outcome.
Bolivia: Pro-Government March Arrives to La Paz
Tens of thousands of peasants, miners, coca-growers, and other supporters of the government of Evo Morales arrived in La Paz on Monday. What had originally started as a march to apply pressure to the Bolivian Congress to pass a law calling for a Referendum to approve the draft Constitution ended as a celebration when the lawmakers reached a compromise, and seemingly pacified the country after several volatile months.
Cuba, U.S.A.: More than Politics
“Whatever you might think about Barack Obama or his economic plan, doesn't it diminish the suffering of the Cuban people to transform it into a mere debating point in order to discredit Obama's proposals?” Uncommon Sense says that Cuba deserves better.
Dominican Republic: Winter Baseball Season Has Arrived
Summer is over in the Dominican Republic. And that can only mean that the winter baseball season is here writes Ahi E Que Prende [es].
Dominican Republic: Covering Dominican Fashion 08
Dominicana Moda 08 is a fashion festival held in the Dominican Republic, and this year several blogs have been extensively covering the event. This is a translation of the post by Joan Guerrero of the blog Duarte 101 who provides more details.
Brazil: iGoogle’s Artist Themes with a Brazilian flavour
“Twin brothers and artists Fábio Moon and Gabriel Bá along with fellow Brazilian artist Gustavo Rosa have been invited by Google to be featured in iGoogle’s Artist Themes which make up the backdrop of the iGoogle homepage.” See the videos on Eyes on Brazil blog.
Cuba, U.S.A.: Havana & Obama
Havana-based blogger Circles Robinson comments on the US presidential campaign: “Most Cubans made up their minds on who they favor shortly after the Democratic Party primary ended. Not that people are enamored with either of the two major parties, but they at least see a ray of hope for improved...