Stories about Latin America from June, 2009
Venezuela: The Relationship With Iran
The Venezuelan blogosphere has been both touched, and moved by the latest development in Iran. There have been blogger opinions that try to make comparisons with similar events in Venezuelan recent history, as well viewpoints on the support given by President Hugo Chavez to Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. However, some point out that the relationship may not as simple as it may be portrayed.
Caribbean: Following the path of the Caribs
Since the beginning of 2009, French West Indians have questioned their identity, their national heritage and their present-day situation in different ways. Kintamingo Ema, a Martinican blog, presents an initiative which mixes a social insertion, historical and archeological project with an identity quest. Dubbed "Kintamingo Ema, sur le chemin de nos ancêtres" (Kintamingo Ema, following the path of our ancestors), the project was launched by Association Karisko , an association focusing on social integration.
Brazil: The country's largest university becomes a battlefield
For a day in June, a peaceful protest against police occupation at Brazil's largest university became a bloody confrontation for the first time since the dictatorship in the 1970s. The blogosphere reports and discusses.
Bolivia: Warnings of Scams in El Alto
Falling victim to scams in Bolivia is not uncommon. Attempts to swindle people out of money come in all shapes and sizes, and often come at times when people are most vulnerable, in a hurry or when they are alone, for example. Two bloggers from El Alto share their experiences of these types of tricks, each with different outcomes. They both wanted to share their stories, so that the same thing does not happen to anyone else.
Cuba: Lessons from Iran
Havana-based blogger Generation Y thinks that “what is happening in Iran and its dissemination through the Internet is a lesson for Cuban bloggers.”
Uruguay: Daily Users of Internet
Statistics in Uruguay shows a big jump in the number of users that access the internet on a daily basis from 11% to 33% in just six years, notes Gabriel Budiño of D Todo 1 Poco [es].
Dominican Republic: Bicycles as Alternate Form of Transport
Joan Guerrero of Duarte 101 [es] asks whether bicycles could be an alternative form of transport for residents in the Dominican Republic. A commenter adds four points that could make it a reality, such as tax incentives for those that bike to work, as well as lanes set aside for...
Costa Rica: Chairs, Posters, and Lamps on Exhibit
A curious collection of chairs, posters, and lamps called 300% Spanish Design, is currently on display at the Museum of Contemporary Art and Design in San José, Costa Rica.. The 300 pieces of Spanish artwork from some of the biggest names in Spanish art and design, such as Picasso, Gaudí, and Dalí, have caught the attention of Costa Rican bloggers, who are eager to see this traveling exhibit.
Mexico: Water Shortages Affecting Nearly 2 Million Residents
Nearly two millions of citizens have been affected by the recent reduction of the water service in the Valley of Mexico. The Cutzamala System, which manages 20% of the drinking water for the valley, is not working at full capacity and cannot supply its own region, several districts, and municipalities from the Federal District and the State of Mexico. Water supply shortage will affect people every weekend for an indefinite amount of time.
Ecuador: Galapagos Islands Advance in 7 New Wonders Competition
Ecuador's Galapagos Islands have advanced to the next round in the online competition for the 7 New Wonders of the World. These islands boast some of the most diverse flora and fauna in the world and has attracted many tourists to the area, along with settlers to take part in this industry. As a result, problems such as overpopulation, excess waste, and the introduction of foreign plants and animals can be found. Ecuadorian bloggers are proud that their territory has made it this far, but hopes that this awareness will bring about better care for the land.
Brazil: Petrobras Blog Versus Mainstream Media
In the first week of June, Brazil's giant semi-public oil company Petrobras created a free blog on Wordpress. Among the posts publicised during the blog's first days were questions and answers of journalists that were going to be part of their respective newspaper headlines and stories throughout the week. This attitude has been seen as an act of transparency by some bloggers, a threat to journalism by some newspapers and led to heated debate on the power of media and blogging.
Cuba, U.S.A.: The Cuban Five
Cuban bloggers report on the latest developments with “The Cuban Five”.
Cuba: Welcoming “Granpa”
A new SMS service has increased Generation Y‘s faith in the power of technology: “I’ve known about a page called Granpa (we hope it will be more objective than Granma) that sends news to cell phones located in Cuba. Since we don’t have a paper newspaper to tell us everything...
Guatemala: The Mayan City of Nakum
Located in the Petén department of Guatemala, the Mayan city of Nakum is a little-known archaeological site not visited very often by tourists. El Blog de Rudel [es] writes that it is well worth the effort and “to reach it is an authentic adventure.”
Ecuador: Eugenio Espejo, Precursor for the Independence Movement
Eugenio Espejo was a writer, journalist, and philospher in colonial Ecuador during the late 18th century. He is often credited for contributing to the precursor of the independence movement. Belén Proaño of Temas Para Debatir [es] has a profile of the man.
Dominica: Chavez’ Visit
“It's like the uncle who comes with some cash in his pocket and the whole family gets lined up by the door of a recently cleaned room”: Caribbean Man reports on Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez’ visit to Dominica.
Cuba: Prisoners of Conscience
Diaspora blogger Uncommon Sense refers to a report which claims that there have already been more than 500 political arrests and detentions in Cuba for the year.
Paraguay: Governmental Response to Arrival of H1N1 Virus
New cases of the AH1N1 virus have been confirmed in Paraguay. The total people infected rose to 25, however, there have not been any deaths linked to the virus. Bloggers reflect on the steps that the government is taking in regards to providing information from the public, and detection at the airport.
Peru: Marches of Support in Lima
Twitterer Omar 2312 has photos of the marches of support in Lima, Peru for those in the Amazon region caught up in the conflict with the police. Juan Arellano of Globalizado [es] has photos of the heavy police presence that were closing off streets in response to these mobilizations.
Dominican Republic: Fair Trade Cocoa
“The transformation of the Dominican Republic from a producer of low-grade cacao…to a powerhouse in the production of high quality organic cocoa has been one of the most remarkable agricultural developments of the last three decades in the Caribbean”: Repeating Islands has the delicious details.
Latin America: The Problem of Child Labor – Part II
Child labor is a sad reality in Latin America, and often many residents throughout the region become so used to seeing working children that they don't even realize it. Awareness campaigns and other steps are being taken to change all of this. In observance of the World Day Against Child Labor 2009, which will be held on June 12, members of the Global Voices Latin American team helped to find related blog posts and links about this issue in their own countries for part two in this two part series
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