Stories about Latin America from November, 2008
Bolivia: Challengers in Next Presidential Elections
Miguel Buitrago of MABB speculates on some possible challengers to Evo Morales in the presidential election scheduled for December 2009 in Bolivia.
Uruguay: National Volunteers Gathering for Plan Ceibal
Pablo Flores provides a summary of the recent National Gathering of Volunteers in Montevideo, Uruguay. These volunteers have been working with the Ceibal Plan, which has been distributing and working with the XO computers throughout the country.
Costa Rica: Free Trade Agreement Ready For Implementation
After a lengthy process, which included a nationwide referendum where Costa Ricans approved a free-trade agreement with the United States, the laws will go into effect on January 1, 2009. However, it took consensus building within the National Assembly in order to pass the necessary laws, while some sectors of society had been calling for a process of renegotiation.
Peru: Art Exhibit Depicting Saints Causes Controversy and Possible Censorship
A controversial art exhibit in Lima, Peru portrayed an alternative view of popular Catholic saints. Some were dressed in undergarments and others in modern-day situations. The artist wanted to show a more human side of the religious figures. However, days before the exhibit's conclusion the gallery was closed by the municipal causing cries of censorship.
Cuba: Havana Film Festival
Havana Times is pleased to announce that “the 30th Havana Film Festival (Dec. 2-12) is right around the corner.”
Brazil: Flash mob protest against Digital Crimes Bill
Brazilian bloggers and netizens took to the streets of São Paulo to protest against the Digital Crimes Bill which typifies the cyber-crimes punishable by law and stipulates penalties accordingly, but might end up considering trivial conduct when surfing the Internet as a crime. At a public hearing held in the parliament, the project supporters "ended up sounding silly and unprepared".
Peru: President Refuses to Answer Questions from Media Outlet
The blog Pepitas writes about journalist Vilma Escalante claims that Peruvian President Alan García refused to answer her questions because she works the newspaper La Primera, which he called an “anti-democratic and anti-system” media outlet.
El Salvador: Downtown San Salvador Becoming Pedestrian Walkways
In El Salvador, David Mejia takes a shopping trip to downtown San Salvador where he writes that some of the streets are fast becoming pedestrian walkways [es] due to the street vendors taking up space on the street.
Mexico: The Death of Paco Ignacio Taibo I
El Nahual of México Para Los Mexicanos [es] mourns the death of Paco Ignacio Taibo I, who was a Mexican writer and historian. He also founded the Culture section of the El Universal newspaper.
Argentina: Wordcamp 2008 in Buenos Aires
The second edition of Wordcamp Argentina recently took place in Buenos Aires, and which again featured the presence of Matt Mullenweg, Wordpress' main developer. Here he previewed the changes in store for the latest edition of the blogging platform and also provided his thoughts on the recent talk regarding the "death of blogs." In addition, bloggers discussed ways to earn money, get blog advertising, and also how to develop corporate blogs.
Cuba: Castro's New Book
Fidel Castro's new book has not escaped the notice of El Cafe Cubano or Guyanese blogger Propaganda Press.
Mexico: Radiohead Concert in 2009
Mexican blogs like Tinta y Pixeles [es] are buzzing at the announcement that the rock band Radiohead have scheduled a show in Mexico City for March 16, 2009.
Nicaragua: Concerns About Fraud in Recent Elections
The streets of Managua were not the only place where supporters of the two political parties in Nicaragua were present during the recent municipal elections held on November 9. One could also find them on social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter. Some were concerned about accusation of fraud and the message sent because of the results. This is a translation of a summary post by Alvaro Berroteran of the Nicaragua Y Su Blog.
Cuba: Lomas Fired
Diaspora blogger Child of the Revolution speculates as to why “the highest ranking woman in the Castro regime…has been unexpectedly fired…from her high-profile post as Minister for Foreign Investment.”
Nicaragua: Online Radio Stations
Nimrod lists some of the Nicaraguan online radio stations [es] that can be found using the Winamp music player.
Panama: Recipe for Tri-Color Shortbread
Chef Melissa of the Cooking Diva Blog provides a tribute to Panama with a recipe for Tri-Color Shortbread featuring the colors of the Panamanian flag.
Dominican Republic: Frequent Blackouts Impede Progress
The Dominican Republic is suffering through frequent blackouts and Rocío Díaz of Monaco [es] writes that “without electricity, there is no progress.”
Puerto Rico, U.S.A.: Gay Marriage
“When I found out California and Florida were state's #29 and #30 in the banning of same-sex marriage, I was aghast”: Puerto Rican blogger Liza says that “the problem with gay marriage is not ‘the gay’ but ‘the marriage’.”.
Haiti, D.R.: Racial Tension
Cuaderno Latinoamericano reports that racial tension is growing in the Dominican Republic as a result of a Haitian village near the border being attacked by Dominicans “seeking revenge for a crime that was supposedly committed by a Haitian.”
Cuba: Activist Released
Uncommon Sense says that a Cuban human rights activist has been released from prison “after serving 3 years in prison for being a ‘pre-criminal social danger’ because of his human rights work.”
Brazil: Romário, football star and blogger
“Couch career? Don't count on me, I would rather career as a blogger”, said Brazilian football player Romário. Cocada Boa [pt] announces that he has just launched his blog and speculates on the 10 reasons for the star to start to have done so.
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