Stories about Latin America from September, 2009
Peru: Looming Problem of the Inambari Hydroelectric Power Station
A 4-billion dollar hydroelectric power station is planned for the Peruvian Amazon, which will provide energy to neighboring Brazil. However, there is concern how the construction will affect the Amazon and other parts of the country.
Panama: Demolition of Historic Buildings
Orlando Acosta of Estación Tropical [es] is worried about the demolition of several “emblematic buildings” in Panama City, Panama.
Costa Rica: Media Portrayal of African Immigrants
Alejandro Vargas Johannson criticizes the Costa Rican media for the manner in which they portrayed African immigrants that recently arrived by boat as criminal delinquents, and not as victims [es].
Panama: The Arepa Buzz
In Panama, Rob Rivera writes that the shop in Via España that sells arepas, a popular food in the country, is deserving of all the buzz that it has been receiving as of late.
Cuba: no substitute for beauty
“The economic crisis in Cuba forced us to find substitutes for almost everything, including cosmetics.” Generation Y reflects on the sacrifices ordinary Cubans once made “in their desire to look more beautiful.”
Uruguay: Election Season Underway
Uruguay is currently in the middle of a busy election season. With internal elections completed, the entire country is focused on the Presidential election scheduled for October 25 and which party will win.
Paraguay: The Use of the Chapulín Colorado on Campaign Materials
Much to the dismay of Guillermo Verdún of Paraguayo [es], the Colorado Party in Paraguay was found to be using the image of “Chapulín Colorado” (Red Grasshopper), a famous comedic character from Mexican television, on some of its campaign materials. As a result, Verdún wrote to the actor who played...
Brazil: Photos of a country hit by hail, rain and high winds
Heavy rains killed at least 11 people in Brazil, injured hundreds and made thousand homeless in the past week. Citizen photographers have registered the wreckage across the country.
Chile: Presidential Candidate Sebastian Piñera and his “Digital Revolution”
In Chile, the blog from the campaign “One Computer per Child” has a video from Presidential candidate Sebastian Piñera, [es] who explains his positions and presents his project called the “Digital Revolution.”
Ecuador: New Taxes Will Attempt to Help Economy
The Ecuadorian government recently announced plans to implement several changes in the tax code, as a way to boost employment and help the economy. However, several economic bloggers are concerned about these changes.
Cuba: “A Virtual Island”
“This will be the first time that an event from Cuba will be narrated live through Twitter. We hope that it works!”: Generation Y and Octavo Cerco look forward to seeing the results of the blog contest A Virtual Island.
Cuba: Antúnez Arrested
“No one should be surprised that Antúnez is again in jail,” writes diaspora blogger Uncommon Sense, as he blogs about the most recent arrest of the Cuban human rights activist.
Puerto Rico: Superaquello Explores Cyberspace
Superaquello is one of Puerto Rico's most beloved alternative bands. Their experimental mix of traditional pop, electronic music, and typical Puerto Rican rhythms have hypnotized music lovers since the band was born in 1997. Lately Superaquello has been experimenting with something more than music: the Internet.
Cuba: “Let Juanes Come!”
Generation Y takes to the streets of Havana to ask Cubans their views on the upcoming Juanes concert: “I’m glad to be in tune with my people. Let Juanes come!”
Costa Rica: Web 2.0 on a Sunday Morning
Costa Rican bloggers, twitter users and other internet enthusiasts enjoyed their own first Domingo En La Mañana (Sunday Morning) on August 30, 2009, where they shared knowledge and experience with one another.
Venezuela: Another Miss Universe Crown
Miss Venezuela was selected as winner of the 2009 Miss Universe beauty pageant. Even though many Venezuelans are proud of the accomplishment, some bloggers question what this says about their own society.
Colombia: Medellín Celebrates its Festival of Flowers
Every year, the city of Medellín, Colombia, celebrates the Festival of Flowers. This celebration's defining symbol are the "silletas," which are flower displays that are carried throughout the city by the flower carriers.
Cuba: Political Conscience
Uncommon Sense focuses the spotlight on one of many political prisoners who cannot attend the Juanes concert, saying: “Hopefully, Juanes will…come to understand that without justice for him and other Cubans imprisoned because of their commitment to their consciences, there will be no peace in Cuba.”
Ecuador: Guayaquil Plans to Produce Biogas from Waste
With the amount of organic waste produced in the municipality of Guayaquil, Ecuador, Xavier Márquez of Tecnodatum [es] reports that the local government has solicited bids in order to use the waste to produce biogas.
Ecuador: Ombudspersons Needed in National Newspapers
According to Xavier Flores, only one newspaper in Ecuador employs an ombudsperson [es] to provide this service to the readers, which according to him, is especially needed in the country.
Dominican Republic: The Theft of Cables and Scrap Metal
Cables and metal are being stolen from streets, monuments, and other buildings across the Dominican Republic in order to be sold for export, which is frustrating many residents.
About our Latin America coverage
