· September, 2012

Stories about Latin America from September, 2012

Colombia: Political Blog ‘Atrabilioso’ Closes Down

  24 September 2012

After 7 years and thousands of posts by several contributors, the political blog Atrabilioso, managed by journalist Jaime Restrepo Vásquez, closed last August 31. The blog's contributors were critics of President Juan Manuel Santos‘ administration and staunch supporters of former President Álvaro Uribe.

Peru: Hydrocarbons Exploration Threatens Iquitos’ Water

  24 September 2012

The amazonian city of Iquitos, strategically located on the banks of three rivers and blessed with a tropical weather with copious rainfall, shouldn't have problems with the drinking water supply. However, the reality is quite different. In this first part in a series of three posts we will look at how hydrocarbons exploration threatens Iquitos' water supply.

Brazil: A Celebration of Bolivian Culture

  22 September 2012

Global Voices author Yohana de Andrade celebrates the presence of Bolivian migrants in her hometown city, São Paulo, Brazil, in an article she wrote for Future Challenges. Yohana describes one of the cultural demonstrations that the Bolivian community brings to the city: the Feira de Kantuta.

Brazil: Reflections of a Country Searching for Peace

  22 September 2012

Brazil is 83rd among 158 ranked nations in 2012's edition of the Global Peace Index, having fallen nine places since last year's. In the wake of International Peace Day Global Voices shares reflections and initiatives by Brazilian bloggers on the subject.

El Salvador: Reflecting on the Future of Blogs

  21 September 2012

Like many netizens around the world, Salvadoran bloggers are discussing the future of blogs. Prompted by a blogger who has decided to put his blog "on hold", bloggers Fernando Marroquin and David Mejía react to the changing Salvadoran blogosphere.

Bolivia: One Killed as Rival Miners’ Conflict Escalates

  21 September 2012

The unresolved conflict between tin miners in Bolivia has escalated this week. On Tuesday, September 18, nine miners were injured and one died of his wounds after the use of dynamite during a clash between rival groups seeking to take control of the Colquiri zinc and tin mine.

Costa Ricans Debate In Vitro Fertilization

  21 September 2012

After several years of social and political debate on the issue of in vitro fertilization, and after the Legislature did not reach a consensus on the matter, Costa Rica was sued in the Inter-American Court of Human Rights for prohibiting its citizens from obtaining this type of fertilization to have children. The country is awaiting the court's final verdict.

Video: Mini-Documentaries Showcase Venezuelan Artists

  20 September 2012

Through their YouTube account, the creative team Mostro Contenidos has released a documentary series called 'Memorabilia', where they present a collection of short interviews with Venezuelan personalities who have stood out -nationally and internationally- in film, entertainment, and the arts.

Panama: Interview on Struggle over Naso Territory

  20 September 2012

Intercontinental Cry shares a video interview with Adolfo Villagra of the Naso indigenous community in Panama: Tensions are mounting in the indigenous Naso territory in Bocas del Toro province, western Panama, where protestors have blocked access to the Bonyic Hydroelectric project, a 30MW dam currently under construction on the banks...

Venezuela: Discussion and Debate on the Road to Election Day

  19 September 2012

With less than a month left before the presidential elections, the conversation online highlights the separation between the visions incumbent Hugo Chávez and opponent Henrique Capriles have for the future of Venezuela. A collection of statements helps us further understand the complexities that remain hidden behind a division that, on the surface, only has two sides.

Argentina: Why are Citizens Outraged?

  19 September 2012

Argentinians calling for "justice, freedom, security and currency exchange" marched on September 13, 2012, throughout the country. In this post, we have gathered citizen analysis which explain the reasoning behind these demands.

Puerto Rico: Corruption Ranking

  19 September 2012

Riding the crest of public corruption, Puerto Rico cements its place as #1 with an astonishing 130 corruption convictions–convictions, people–in 2011. Gil the Jenius blogs about this dubious honour.

Mexico: A Photographic Glimpse into Midwifery Around the World

  19 September 2012

Intercultural Midwifery is the topic of this Offbeat Mama guest photo blog post by Brooklyn based photographer Alice Proujansky. While 5 months pregnant she traveled to photograph a cultural knowledge exchange in Quintana Roo where students from the only government- accredited program in midwifery went to study with Mayan traditional midwives from rural area.

Dominican Republic: The Crime of Being a Rocker

  19 September 2012

The murder of José Carlos Hernández (Chiva), a 23-year-old Dominican rock musician, has been one of the the country's most spine-chilling crimes in the past few years. While the traditional media spread stereotypes regarding the incident, netizens took to social media networks to debate the various taboos and prejudices that still dominate public discourse.

Brazil: Internet Bill of Rights Vote Postponed Again

  19 September 2012

The progressive Bill of Rights for Internet users in Brazil, the Marco Civil da Internet, which was expected to be voted in Congress today, September 19, 2012, ended up being cancelled for the third time since June. The vote was postponed until after the elections in October, inform Twitter users under...

Bringing the Venezuelan Literature Boom to English Speakers

  18 September 2012

In the first part of a two-part interview, blogger Guillermo Parra shares his experience with Venezuelan literature, social media, and the encouragement he has received from Venezuelan readers to publish some of his translations of the work of poet Jose Antonio Ramos Sucre into English.

Bolivia: 4 Injured in Clash Between Miners

  18 September 2012

Clashes between private cooperative miners from the La Paz Departmental Federation of Mining Cooperatives (Fedecomin in Spanish) and unionised miners from the state-run Bolivian Mining Corporation (Comibol in Spanish) are reported from downtown La Paz, Bolivia's seat of Government. The confronted groups are attacking each other using dynamite. Four injured...

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.