Stories about Latin America from June, 2013
Social Media Plays Crucial Role in Brazil's ‘Vinegar Revolt’ Protests
Citizens all across Brazil are collaboratively covering the street protests that erupted nationwide this June. A number of new websites, tools and blogs have emerged to help publicize complaints and mobilize protests throughout the country. Check out some of the platforms that have being used.
Inter-oceanic Canal Project Leads to Doubt and Rejection in Nicaragua
A controversial law granting a Chinese company the concession to build an inter-oceanic canal in Nicaragua has generated great discussion among the population. Although the law was passed by the National Assembly as a matter of urgency, a feasibility study of the real impact on the country has not yet been conducted.
A Year of Demanding Justice in Paraguay: What Happened in Curuguaty?
A year after a clash that resulted in the death of 11 farm workers and 6 police officers in Curuguaty, Paraguay, organizations that defend human rights and farm workers point out that the criminal case investigating the incident is partial and that there were several human rights violations during the proceedings, such as executions and subjecting the farm workers to torture as acts of revenge.
Peruvian Rock Band Wins Festival in Russia
The website TimonRock announced [es] that Peruvian rock band Contracorriente was awarded first place in the St. Petersburg White Nights Festival in Russia. The website also posted videos and images of the band: Music band Contracorriente, won today [June 15, 2013] one of the most important festivals in Europe, St....
ABRE LATAM: Open Data Unconference
Fernando Briano from Picando Código informs [es] about the upcoming unconference ABRE LATAM [es], organized by D.A.T.A. [es] and Ciudadano Inteligente [es], on June 24 and 25 in Montevideo, Uruguay. The event hopes to “bring together representatives of different sectors of Latin American civil society who work with Open Data...
Colombia: Learning from Vallenato
Amongst Colombian Twitter users, the trend of publishing phrases from Vallenato songs -under the tag #Elvallenatomeenseñó (Vallenato taught me)- has emerged, with the intention of highlighting famous lyrics immortalised in songs that reflect different life lessons.
Brazil: “Gay Cure” Approved by Chamber of Deputies
The proposed law allowing psychologists to undertake treatment to reverse homosexuality was approved yesterday, June 18, by the Human Rights Commission of the Chamber of Deputies. The commission president, anti-gay preacher Mr Marco Feliciano, took the opportunity of promoting this issue while everyone was protesting against the issue of reducing...
Miguel Bosé on Peruvian Cuisine
Spanish singer and artist Miguel Bosé, currently visiting Peru, became a trending topic on Twitter with the hashtag #PreguntasParaMiguelBose [questions for Miguel Bosé] when he refused to answer if he had tried pisco sour and cebiche during a press conference.
Ecuador Passes Controversial Communications Law
After almost four years of debate, the Ecuadorian National Assembly passed a controversial Law of Communications propelled by President Rafael Correa. While government authorities have celebrated the passage of the law, journalistic organizations and the opposition consider it a "gag" on freedom of expression in the country.
Nothing Can Stop Brazil's Vinegar Revolt, Not Even FIFA
As the international Confederation Cup football tournament played on in Brazil, massive protests against rising bus fares spread throughout the country.
Caribbean: Is Somebody Watching?
The ongoing saga with U.S. Internet surveillance whistleblower Edward Snowden has captured the attention of the world. In two blog posts, one from Trinidad and Tobago and the other from Cuba, there is an interesting juxtaposition between high-tech spying and old-fashioned intelligence, even though they both pit the citizens against the state.
Cuba: Another Brick in the Wall?
The whole process is managed and legitimated by a whole army of high-level psychologists and pedagogues in the name of the common Good. Erasmo Calzadilla blogs at Havana Times about the state of education in Cuba: “Till recently, school and repression were for me synonymous.”
Brazil: Repression at FIFA Confederations Cup in Rio de Janeiro
Following the wave of protests against adjustments to transportation and public spending before the 2014 World Cup, protesters outside the Maracanã Stadium in Rio de Janeiro were reprimanded by the Military Police, who used tear gas against people who had taken refuge in Quinta da Boa Vista City Park, as...
Julian Assange, Calle 13, and Twitter Users Write a Song Together
René Pérez, from the musical group Calle 13, and Julian Assange, the founder of Wikileaks, gathered ideas and suggestions from Twitter users to write a song together that will go on Calle 13's next album.
VIDEO: ‘Vinegar Revolt’ Bus Fare Protests Spread Across Brazil
The waves of protests against a bus fare increase in São Paulo is moving beyond the city limits and becoming a national movement.
PHOTOS: World Day Against Monsanto in Mexico
Upside Down World has posted a photo essay by Andalusia Knoll on World Day Against Monsanto in Mexico.
Rise in Gas Prices Revives Debate over Campaign Promise in Peru
President Humala had promised to set the price to 12 soles (around 4.39 U.S. dollars). But the problem with hydrocarbons is more complex on the international scene.
Fed up with ‘Rats’, Mexicans Support ‘Candidate Cat Morris’ for Mayor
The people of the state of Veracruz express their support for Morris, a cat who is "running" for the upcoming mayoral elections on July 7 under the slogan of “no more rats”. However, some think that this campaign could benefit a specific political party.
Free Bus Fare Protest Posters in Brazil
The publishing and design studio Meli-Melo decided to help out in the protests against rise in bus fares in São Paulo, offering their equipment to print out posters free of charge. An open call for page lay out was launched on Friday, 14 June [pt], on Facebook, and protesters replied quickly. Few...
Venezuelan Universities On Strike Demand Economic Improvements
Venezuelan universities have declared an indefinite strike to demand an improvement in professor wages. As such, with the controversies that have taken place in recent months between government representatives and public universities, another episode of a long conflict is being written.
Experts and Citizens Discuss ‘Free Culture’ in Quito, Ecuador
The Second International Congress on Free Culture was held in Quito, Ecuador, focusing on universal access to knowledge, artistic and cultural creation, the administration of culture, collective production, open access to scientific works, the use of alternative licenses, new teaching models, and the benefits for the people.
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