· October, 2012

Stories about Latin America from October, 2012

Panama, Honduras and Costa Rica Continue on the Road to 2014 World Cup

  19 October 2012

Panama, Honduras and Costa Rica advanced to the final qualifying round in the Concacaf (the Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football) competition to reach the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. Football fans on various social networks have been discussing the exciting qualification matches.

Radio Campaign to Protect Colombian Human Rights Defenders

  18 October 2012

Front Line Defenders has joined Colombian social movement ‘MOVICE‘ [es] (National Movement of Victims of State Crimes) in a campaign to develop a series of 6 radio Public Service Announcements (PSAs) to “encourage public opinion in Colombia to support greater protection for [human rights defenders].”

Ada Lovelace Day: Celebrating Women's Genius

  16 October 2012

Ada Lovelace Day, celebrated every October 16, honors international women in the fields of science, technology, engineering and maths -women's whose skills are urgently needed for the future of the world. Here we highlight some of these extraordinary women.

The Authors Behind the Venezuelan Literary Boom

  16 October 2012

This is the second part of an interview with Guillermo Parra of the blog Venepoetics, where he shares his reflections on the new rise of Venezuelan literature and his translations of Venezuelan poet Jose Antonio Ramos Sucre. In this part of the interview we will share Guillermo's take on the new authors who are painting the landscape of new Venezuelan narratives.

Colombia/U.S.: “We Need to Talk About Coke”

  16 October 2012

Colombia based American blogger Natalie Southwick writes about cocaine supply chain and asks her countrymen to think about how Americans may be perpetuating the cycle of violence and exploitation by feeding the demand for cocaine. “At the least, think before you inhale”.

Argentina: Guarani Leader Wins International Rural Women's Day Prize

  15 October 2012

Fionuala Cregan reports that Matilde Lucio, an indigenous leader in a Guarani community in Jujuy, in northern Argentina, “will be awarded one of 10 international prizes for her creativity in rural life” on October 15, International Day of Rural Women. Read more about Matilde and her story in Upside Down World.

Costa Rica Advances in Legislation for Wildlife Protection

  15 October 2012

Costa Rica is advancing in legislation to protect wildlife. On October 10, President Laura Chinchilla signed a decree that strengthens the controls on shark finning in Costa Rican waters. Furthermore, on October 2, the Legislative Assembly approved the first reading of a reform for the Wildlife Conservation Law, which proposes the elimination of hunting sports in the country.

Dominican Republic: A Fiscal Apocalypse?

  12 October 2012

Proposed fiscal reforms by the Dominican government are causing negative reactions across all sectors of society. Various organizations are demanding transparency in the use of state resources, as well as the implementation of measures to avoid and punish corruption.

Guatemala: Petition Demands Justice for Totonicapán Victims

  12 October 2012

The Guatemala Human Rights Commission has released a petition [en, es] to “demand justice for the massacre in Totonicapán, Guatemala,” where 8 were killed and more than 35 injured when combined armed forces violently removed indigenous demonstrators from Cuatro Caminos, a well-known road intersection in Guatemala. With the pain of...

Bolivian Politicians Turned ‘Gangnam Style’

  12 October 2012

The “Gangnam Style” parody has reached Bolivian politicians. Earlier this week, KwonBanYa, a Bolivian YouTube user, uploaded a humorous version of the Korean rap-pop song featuring prominent political figures.

Colombia to Close ‘Week of Indignation’ with Nationwide Protests

  11 October 2012

Colombians will close a 'week of indignation' on October 12 with nationwide protests. The activities held during the week and the march scheduled for Friday seek to mobilize Colombians who are outraged about different issues like education, heath, security, indigenous rights, and more. On social networks many are announcing their participation and posting images and videos to encourage others to attend the march.

Developing Latin America 2012

  11 October 2012

The regional hackathon Developing Latin America, organised by Foundation Ciudadano Inteligente (Intelligent Citizen) in six Latin American countries, brings together multidisciplinary teams of designers, developers, entrepreneurs, journalists and citizens that want to find solutions to problems such as poverty, healthcare and education, using technological tools.

Costa Rica: Students Protest Veto of ‘Photocopying Law’

  11 October 2012

Thousands of students participated in a march in San José on Tuesday, October 9, 2012, protesting for their right to photocopy textbooks for educational purposes. The unrest was caused by President Chinchilla vetoing Bill 17342 (known as the ‘Photocopying Law’) on the grounds that it removes protection of the work and intellectual property in the artistic, literary and technological areas.

The Venezuelan Elections, From Panama

  11 October 2012

The Venezuelan presidential elections were followed with interest in Panama, both by the Venezuelan community in the country and by Panamanians interested in what would happen in the neighboring country.

Global Pot-Banging Protests Scheduled for October 13

  11 October 2012

A day of pot-banging protests promises to shake the most sensitive ears across across the globe on October 13, 2012. The Global Noise initiative, organized by the international networks of Occupy, Indignados, and other social justice movements, aims to build on a wide variety of struggles for global justice and solidarity.

Peru: Poet Antonio Cisneros Dies

  10 October 2012

Antonio Cisneros, one of the greats of Peruvian poetry, died on October 6 at age 69. Here we honor his memory and include videos of his poems.

Mexico's Indigenous Languages in Cyberspace

  10 October 2012

The blog Native Box shares an English translation of an article originally published in Vanguardia [es]: “Indigenous Languages of Mexico: Rescued, Alive, and Facing Challenges in Cyberspace”.

Puerto Rico: Boxer Orlando Cruz Is Proud to Be Gay

  9 October 2012

Puerto Rican boxer Orlando 'The Phenomenon' Cruz is breaking stereotypes with his recent announcement about his sexual orientation. Cruz, currently the number four featherweight boxer in the world, is the first in the history of boxing to publicly declare his homosexuality while active professionally.

Venezuela: Post-Election Reflections

  9 October 2012

Emotions ran high on Sunday night after the official results of Venezuela's presidential elections were released. Part of the country celebrated the continuation of the 'Bolivarian Revolution' under President Hugo Chávez, while the other side lamented another electoral loss.

About our Latin America coverage

Gabriela Mesones Rojo
Gabriela Mesones Rojo is the Latin America Spanish-language editor. Email her story ideas or volunteer to write.

Fernanda Canofre
Fernanda Canofre is the Brazil editor. Email her story ideas or volunteer to write.