Stories about Latin America from November, 2008
Guatemala: The 5th Annual Jilotepeque Festival
The 5th Annual Jilotepeque Festival will take place on November 29-30 in the Guatemalan municipality of San Martín Jilotepeque. The Casa de la Cultura Sanmartineca is coordinating the event and more information can be found on its blog [es].
Ecuador: High Monthly Salary for Assembly Members
Libertad Ecuador [es] does not agree with the monthly salary of Assembly members, which is many more times higher than the average monthly salary of ordinary Ecuadorans.
Argentina: Created By Immigrants?
Juan Pablo Meneses starts his latest series of blogs posts at Crónicas Argentinas [es] by asking the question, “Was Argentina Created by Immigrants? [es]” and receiving dozens of responses, many from those who share their stories of being children and grandchildren of immigrants.
Bolivia: Elderly Not Collecting Their Government Pension
Willy Jordan writes that many elderly Bolivians are not collecting their “Dignity Pension,” which is a government plan that provides a small stipend to Bolivians 60 years and older. [es] It is primarily because they simply do not know about the benefit or are lacking the proper identification.
Latin American Bloggers jump into Reality Television
Chevrolet and NatGeo have launched a reality show that mixes driving, tourism, gadgets and blogging throughout South America. On The Road Again follows 6 bloggers in 6 different countries, driving around, taking tours and documenting their experiences through streaming video, blog posts and pictures, and it will later on be featured on a NatGeo channel show.
Nicaragua: The Growing Blogosphere Through Collaboration
The Nicaraguan blogosphere has been growing thanks to collaboration between various bloggers and users of Twitter. This is a short interview with Alvaro Berroteran, who started a project called Nicaragua y Su Blog, which has been promoting Nicaraguan blogs. He is also working with others to establish a new blog community site and Facebook group.
Cuba: Hurricane Aftermath
Generation Y takes a road trip to Cuba's Pinar del Rio and is even more convinced that “we have to avoid letting our tendency to forget cover up the situation…we have to go to the affected areas, deliver aid directly, and record the testimonies there. The hurricane-force winds are still...
Cuba: Brother to be Beatified
Uncommon Sense reports that a 19th century Cuban Brother is being beatified by the Catholic Church: “Br. Ollalo’s beatification will take place at 8 a.m. on November 29 in the Plaza de la Caridad of Camaguey, Cuba. It will be the first beatification to ever take place on Cuban soil.”
Chile: Returning Historical Documents to Peru
The Chilean government recently returned some historical documents that had belonged to Peru. The act was facilitated by the Chilean Office of Libraries, Archives and Museums of which Enzo Abbagliati of Cadaunadas [es] is a part and of which he is proud to be associated.
Peru: Against Child Pornography and Prostitution
Juan Arellano of Globalizado [es] is joining in the international campaign against child pornography, and links to some blogs that talk about child prostitution in Peru.
Venezuela: Following the Local Elections Online
Today Venezuela is taking part in elections for mayors and governors., which will paint the political map between States and Municipalities aligned with President Hugo Chávez or not. Venezuelan bloggers and twitter users are covering the election with the tag #23N and a campaign was launched to encourage people to vote and discuss the elections among their friends and family.
Cuba: Love and Marriage
“With the love nest located in the parents’ house and with a salary that’s not enough to buy any durable or transferable goods, the signed paper and legal stamp that attest to the marriage are of little importance”: Generation Y says that Cubans are experiencing “a loss of the sense...
Cuba: “Black Spring” Prisoners
Cuban diaspora blogger Uncommon Sense focuses the spotlight on two of the “Black Spring” political prisoners, here and here.
Colombia: Indigenous March Arrives to Bogotá
The indigenous march has arrived to Bogotá and Bogotá Subterranea [es] is welcoming them with open arms.
Bolivia: Recent Lynchings Cause Concerns
A string of lynchings around Bolivia has caused concern around the country. The latest case in Achacachi involved 11 accused thieves, who were set ablaze by town residents. Defenders of the indigenous tradition of "community justice" argue that what took place in Achacachi was very different and it should not involve taking another's life, although others see any acts of taking justice into one's own hands can lead to these types of tragedies.
Brazil: Attempts to censor a documentary about censorship
Gagged in Brazil, a documentary about the relationship between politics, media and censorship in Brazil was taken off the Current TV networks after a political party's complaint. After a full investigation into the sources, the film is back online - but media censorship in Minas Gerais is an old and ongoing issue.
Peru: APEC Summit an Opportunity for the Country
The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum will attract 21 member countries to Lima, Peru, which will have the opportunity to put on display its recent economic accomplishments, investment opportunities, as well as its tourism potential. Many Peruvian bloggers are excited about this showcase opportunity, in spite of the logistical nightmares such a large gathering might produce.
Colombia: Government, banking and pyramid schemes
Colombians are buzzing in outrage after the collapse last week of several investment offices which were operating as Ponzi schemes and pyramids, where people would deposit their savings and receive up to 300% in return. The last company standing was DMG, which has a massive following and is now being investigated and its owners arrested for alleged connections with drug trafficking cartels, money laundry and unlawful acquisition of funds. Surprising though, is that their followers have been unfailing in their support, defending DMG and its strategies on forums, comments and websites.
Barbados, Cuba, U.S.A.: Obama's AG
Diaspora bloggers Keltruth Corp. (Barbados) and Babalu (Cuba) discuss Barack Obama's choice of Eric Holder for the post of Attorney General.
Costa Rica: Earthquake Felt and Reported on Twitter
Cristian Cambronero of @fusildechispas [es] felt the recent earthquake in San José, Costa Rica and noticed others on Twitter did too, “16 tweets in the first minute after a strong earthquake in San José.”
Peru: After-Effects of Mercury Spill in Choropampa
Silvio of Lapicero Digital [es] writes about the lack of news in the Peruvian media about deaths caused by mercury contamination in Choropampa. The recent death of the Mayor of Choropampa, Vicente Zarate Minchán is thought to be a result of the contamination caused by the mercury spill that took...
About our Latin America coverage
