Stories about Latin America from February, 2014
Violence Escalates as Protests Continue in Venezuela
On February 19 internet users from different cities started to report irregularities by police officers, the National Guard and some armed civilian groups in motorbikes.
Recap of the Blog Carnival ‘Do You Love the Internet?’
In this article recapping the participation in our recent Blog Carnival, with the theme "I Love the Internet," check out how bloggers are inspired by the Internet.
Venezuelan Beauty Queen Dies from Gunshot Wound Received During Protests
Genesis Carmona died of a gunshot wound to the head. She is the latest casualty in the ongoing demonstrations taking place in the country.
PHOTOS: Venezuelans Abroad Show Support for Protests
Venezuelans living abroad have organised demonstrations to support ongoing protests in their home country. Images are published on social networks with the tags #iamyourvoicevenezuela #SOSVenezuela and #PrayForVenezuela, among others.
Indie Music from Puerto Rico is Rocking the World
The world is already listening to us. Time to spread the word in Puerto Rico.
New Rainy Season Wreaks Havoc in Peru
Landslides and floods have caused material and human losses in Peru, especially in the southern Andes and the eastern Amazon.
Rumours and ‘Fake’ Photos Prompt Calls for Responsible Social Media in Venezuela
The current crisis in Venezuela has put netizens at the forefront of information dissemination, but not everyone is transparent or responsible in their reporting of events.
Amendments to Brazil's Bill of Rights for Internet Users Jeopardizes Privacy
Recent amendments to Brazil's pioneer bill of rights for Internet users, the “Marco Civil da Internet” (Internet Civil Rights Framework), put net neutrality and users’ privacy at stake. The bill is expected to be voted on by Congress during the last week of February 2014. Activists have launched an online campaign asking for the...
VIDEO: Toward a Fair and Inclusive Education System in Chile
In the video above by Open Society Foundations, Giorgio Jackson, former student leader and newly elected parliamentarian in Chile, discusses the education system in his country and what it means to have an “open society.” Trine Petersen writes: A fair and inclusive system that makes education available to all is...
Venezuelan Opposition Leader Leopoldo López Turns Himself in Amid Mass Demonstration
Venezuelan opposition leader Leopoldo López has turned himself in to the National Guard forces, as he announced he would in the video [es] above. López, the leader of the Voluntad Popular party, had an arrest warrant that was issued against him by a court in Caracas for allegedly being responsible for...
Invisible Walls and Protests in Venezuela
The Berlin wall was not just physical. There was also an idealogical wall that prevented people from seeing reality clearly. The East Germans were told that the Wall protected the population from Fascist elements conspiring to prevent the peoples’ will from building a socialist state, so it was officially called...
Collecting Data About Possible Web Censorship in Venezuela
Marianne Díaz, lawyer, digital activist and Global Voices Advocacy author, has been making constant appeals from her Twitter account asking users to collaborate on collecting data related to access to some websites and online platforms from Internet service providers in Venezuela, due to growing reports of partial or total blockage...
From Facebook to the Street: Activism on Cusco's Walls
A central wall in Cusco has become the epicenter of local activism, joining initiatives born both online and offline.
PHOTOS: Protests Continue Across Venezuela
Protests continue in several cities across Venezuela. Social networks, especially Twitter, have been flooded with images documenting the activities in each region.
Gold Medal Winner's Touching Gesture with Peruvian Skier at Sochi 2014
Swiss skier Darío Cologna was awarded the gold medal on the 15-kilometer freestyle cross country ski race in the 2014 Winter Olympics held in Sochi, Russia. But in Peru he made the news due to a moving and exemplary scene: he waited for more than 20 minutes at the finish...
Reflections Amid Protests and Chaos in Venezuela
Contradictory information, extreme opinions, and fears expressed by both sides continue to circulate amid hashtags, tweets, and blogs. Bloggers reflect on the ongoing protests and the government's response.
A Love Letter to Quito
The first time Juan Arellano visited Quito was quite by chance. After a fourth visit he realises he can't deny it: he's head-over-heels in love with Ecuador's capital.
Ecuador Makes List of Countries Where Press Freedom Has Declined
Ecuador is the only Latin American country featured on the Committee to Project Journalists’ (CPJ) annual Risk List. CPJ explains: The list is based on the expertise of CPJ staff, but also takes into account press freedom indicators such as journalist fatalities and imprisonments, restrictive legislation, state censorship, impunity in anti-press...
Government Threats Silence Venezuela Media, as Student Protests Leave Three Dead
Venezuelan citizens took to the streets to demand that authorities release young people who had been arrested in previous demonstrations. They also demanded improvements in food supply and public safety.
Ecuador to Implement Charges for Private Copying Levy
The Ecuadorian Institute of Intellectual Property (IEPI) plans to impose an additional tax of 4%-10% on the importation of all music and video players.
Argentina's Polar Bear ‘Arturo’ Will Stay at the Mendoza Zoo
After a medical evaluation, Arturo the polar bear will stay in Argentina. The people of Mendoza and different organizations demand better conditions for him.