Stories about Latin America from January, 2009
Bolivia: Referendum Coverage on Twitter
As the polls close across Bolivia for the Constitutional Referendum vote, many of the country's users of Twitter have been hard at work sending messages about their experiences from their cities. In order to centralize the information, they are using the #referendum tag.
Brazil: A Glance at Campus Party Brazil in Pictures
Campus Party Brazil 2009 in São Paulo comes to a close this Sunday. Around 6,500 people have taken part in this second edition of what is arguably Latin America's largest technology and digital culture event. In this article, you will see some of the most interesting pictures of the seven day meeting.
Brazil: A true competition between e-books and paper books?
The Brazilian blogsphere is full of literature available online at collective blogs and websites, individual authors' blogs and governmental initiatives. The nations' best selling author, Paulo Coelho, is right when he says that the free distribution of e-books actually encourages the sales of paper books - at least in times when the reader still prefers reading on paper.
Bolivia: Dealing With Dengue Fever
Heavy rains in the Bolivian Orient help create the breeding ground for mosquitos that spread the virus that causes dengue fever. There is also a much more severe form which causes dengue hemorrhagic fever and has already caused 3 deaths in the country. One blogger writes about firsthand experience with this illness.
Cuba, U.S.A.: An Important Introduction
“The man is worth your support, and then some, especially after he was arrested while traveling to Havana to watch your inauguration as a guest of the U.S. Interest Section”: Uncommon Sense would like President Obama to meet Jorge Luis García Pérez “Antúnez”.
Argentina: The Timing of Kirchner's Visit to Cuba
Louis Cyphre of El Opinador Compulsivo [es] wonders why Argentine president visited Cuba when she did “to speak with one of the longest lasting dictators in history just as the first black president was being inaugurated in the US?”
Honduras: Vacation in Tornabé
Hugo Chinchilla writes about his week-long vacation in Tornabé, Honduras [es] and adds photos of the peacefulness of the small beach village.
Bolivia: The Situation After the Referendum
The campaign for the Constitutional Referendum has ended across Bolivia and Sunday's vote is eagerly awaited. After months of a tension-filled campaign from both supporters and opponents of the draft Constitution, many are left wondering what will happen after the vote. Some other bloggers reflect on some of the problems that will still remain regardless of the vote's outcome and who is to blame for the country's predicament.
Cuba: Quelling the Rumours
Child of the Revolution confirms that recent rumours of Fidel Castro's demise have been just that – thanks to reports from Havana that the president of Argentina met with him on the last day of her visit to the island.
Bolivia: Community Tourism in Copacabana
Cristina Quisbert of Bolivia Indigena [es] posts a video of a ceremony of the inauguration of a community tourism information center in Copacabana, Bolivia.
Paraguay: The Launching of the Government's News Agency
The government of Paraguay launched its News Agency, and President Fernando Lugo indicated that it will not be a source for government propaganda. Carlos Rodríguez of Rescatar [es] states that the website should have a Code of Ethics, which would make it the first news site to have one.
Ecuador: Biology Student Abroad
The blog Estudiantes Fuera del Ecuador [es] is devoted to topics related to Ecuadorian students abroad. It returns after a six-month hiatus with an interview with Edu, a Ph.D biology student in Spain.
Nicaragua: Linux Tour to Honduras
Normal Garcia writes about the LinuxTour Nicaragua, where members of the open software community in Nicaragua will travel to neighboring Honduras [es] to exchange information and build relationships with other open software enthusiasts in that country.
Mexico: Cash for the New York Times
Daniel Hernandez of Intersections writes about the cash infusion provided to the New York Times by Mexican billionaire Carlos Slim.
Global: Morocco Closes Caracas Embassy
Morocco announced this week that it would close its embassy in Venezuela due to Venezuela's recognition of the Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR), the territory also known as the "Western Sahara," over which Morocco asserts its sovereignty.
Caribbean: Obama's Day
Like the rest of the world, the eyes of the Caribbean were on Washington, DC yesterday, as Barack Hussein Obama was sworn in as the 44th President of the United States. Regional and diaspora bloggers - for the most part - could not contain their enthusiasm over this history-making moment.
Peru: Lima Celebrates Its Anniversary
On Sunday, January 18, the City of Kings, better known as Lima, Peru celebrated the 474th anniversary of its founding. Many bloggers took this opportunity to dedicate a few inspirational words to the city or post some photos, but also reflect on the challenges faced by this large metropolis.
Peru: 2011 Elections Not So Far Away
Perú Político [es] writes that the Peruvian presidential elections in 2011 are so far, yet so close and that 30% do not have an idea who they would vote for.
Mexico: Good Conduct Law Revoked
The local government of Guanajuato, Mexico revoked the “Good Conduct” law that would have outlawed public kissing after receiving negative press for the law updates Ingrid of Vivir México [es].
Paraguay: A Visit to the Jesuit Ruins
Brenda Boston visits the Jesuit Ruins located in Trinidad, Paraguay.
Dominican Republic: Free Access Law for Public Information
Ahi e que prende [es] writes about his experience using the Free Access Law in the Dominican Republic, which had been set up to provide public information to those that request it. He writes out the steps needed to use the law.
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