· October, 2008

Stories about Latin America from October, 2008

Nicaragua: Student Frustrations

  25 October 2008

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

  25 October 2008

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: Ties That Bind?

  24 October 2008

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.

  24 October 2008

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

  23 October 2008

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]

Bolivia: First Draft Constitution a Bargaining Chip?

  23 October 2008

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

  23 October 2008

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

  23 October 2008

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

  23 October 2008

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

  23 October 2008

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

  23 October 2008

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.

Bolivia: Pro-Government March Arrives to La Paz

  21 October 2008

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

  21 October 2008

“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.

Brazil: iGoogle’s Artist Themes with a Brazilian flavour

  20 October 2008

“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

  20 October 2008

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...

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.