Stories about Latin America from January, 2014
Gender-Based Violence Epidemic Hits Sex Workers in Honduras
Despite the fact that sex work is legal in Honduras, many groups and individuals view their actions as immoral. Those who murder sex workers believe they can literally treat these human beings as garbage to be disposed of. Such violence takes place against the broader backdrop of widespread gender- and sexuality-based violence...
Self Defense Against Drug Cartels or the Mexican Government in Michoacán?
In an effort to bring peace to the state of Michoacán, the government has sent the military to disarm citizen self-defense groups who have taken up arms against organized crime.
Uruguay Among 10 Most Ethical Destinations for Fourth Consecutive Year
Every year, Ethical Traveler chooses the top ten countries to visit in the developing world. These countries must demonstrate commitment to the conservation of their natural resources.
Haiti, D.R.: Stateless in the Dominican Republic
jmc strategies blogs about the issue of Haitian statelessness in the Dominican Republic, specifically addressing anti-Haitian sentiment, questionable labour and living conditions, and forced repatriations, while offering solutions to the impasse.
Peru and Chile Await The Hague's Decision on Maritime Border Dispute
On January 27, the International Court of Justice in The Hague will make public its judgment in respect of the maritime border dispute between Peru and Chile.
Mexican Filmmaker Alfonso Cuarón Nominated for Oscar for ‘Gravity’
Mexican director Alfonso Cuarón has been nominated for the Oscar for Best Director, plus 9 others, for his work on 'Gravity'.
Online Platform ‘Ojo al Voto’ Seeks to Lure Young Costa Rican Voters
The interactive platform Ojo al voto [es] wants to provide young voters with useful and straightforward information about the upcoming presidential and legislative elections in Costa Rica, scheduled for February 2, 2014. The Hivos Central America website explains: Ojo al voto is an interactive platform, independent from the mainstream media,...
Hydroelectric Projects in Panama: “Promised Development But Created Disaster”
Although dam developers and governments insist that local communities benefit from these projects, the reality on the ground in Panama suggests the opposite: communities are plunged further into poverty, environments are destroyed and irreparable harm is caused. As one witness who is living in the wake of the Chan 75...
Panama Canal Expansion Faces a New Challenge
The company responsible for the expansion of the Panama Canal has threatened to halt work demanding payment in billions for overruns. The Panama Canal Authority refuses to pay.
4 Arrested after White Powder Attack on Guatemalan Vice President
The VP was leaving the annual state of the union address. Reactions to the incident show citizens' skepticism regarding the government and their results in their two years in power.
Understanding Human Rights in Portuguese-Speaking Countries
[All links lead to Portuguese language pages, except where otherwise stated] The Portuguese language version of the educational manual for human rights “Understanding Human Rights” is available online. The website provides the complete manual in pdf format or divided into chapters, as well as training material, bibliographical references and institutional information specifically aimed at...
Candidates Face Off in First Presidential Debate in El Salvador
Tim's El Salvador Blog summarizes the first presidential debate ever held in El Salvador: The three leading presidential candidates Norman Quijano (ARENA), Salvador Sánchez Cerén (FMLN), and Antonio Saca (Unidad), were joined on the stage by two minor candidates, Óscar Lemus (FPS) and René Rodríguez Hurtado (PSP). The debate had...
Colombians March in Support of Dismissed Bogotá Mayor
Supporters marched in Bogotá and in other major cities to support Mayor Gustavo Petro, who was dismissed from his duties by Colombia's Inspector General Alejandro Ordóñez Maldonado and banned from public office for 15 years. Mike's Bogotá Blog shares photos and an account of the march on January 10, 2014:...
Murder of Former Miss Venezuela Reignites Discussion About Violent Crime
Actress Mónica Spear, her ex-husband and her five year old daughter were attacked by thieves on a Venezuelan highway. Spear and her ex-husband were killed.
Media Factory: A News Accelerator for Latin America
Media Factory is a new digital accelerator company focused solely on creating media in Latin America.
The Cuban Economic Model Update Comes Up with Some Unpopular Measures
The measures implemented by the Cuban state have been quite controversial.
Why a 64-Year-Old Brazilian Indigenous Leader Spent 26 Hours in a Tree
José Urutau Guajajara endured 26 hours at the top of a tree in protest against the eviction of Rio's Maracanã Village, a place once home to the Indian Museum.
25 Influential Brazilian Black Women Online
The website Blogueiras Negras (Black Bloggers, in the feminine), has created a list of the 25 most influential Brazilian black women on the Internet [pt]. The list includes human rights advocates, journalists, writers, researchers, feminists, urban artists and more, besides individual and collective blogs and Facebook pages that fight for gender...
Latin America's Black Metal Fans, Punks and Otakus
Santiago, Lima, Mexico City and Oaxaca have been some of the cities in which photographer Carla Mc-Kay has photographed punks, thrashers, transvestites, black metal fans, new waves and otakus, recording their everyday lives in their habitat. Sentidos Comunes has published Carla Mc-Kay's photographs in a photo essay titled “Street Youth”...
The Press in Honduras Confronts Violence
Journalists interviewed by Fundación MEPI said that reporting about violence is difficult due to the lack of safety mechanisms, little access to timely official reports and fear of retaliation.
Peruvian Volunteer Firefighters Fight More than Just Fire
Amidst economic difficulties and bureaucratic obstacles, Peruvian volunteer firefighters manage to carry out their tasks with no other interest than serving the community.
About our Latin America coverage
Melissa Vida is the Latin America Spanish-language editor. Email her story ideas or volunteer to write.
Fernanda Canofre is the Brazil editor. Email her story ideas or volunteer to write.
