Stories about Latin America from August, 2006
Racism in Mexican Football
Viewers of this year's World Cup couldn't help but notice the all out anti-racism offensive pushed by FIFA. Given the humiliations long-endured by players of color throughout Europe, the extensive campaign was seen by many as overdue. Yet despite the newfound awareness, “unfortunately,” writes Raúl Ramirez (ES) of Isopixel, “racism...
El Salvador: Minimum Wage Increased
El Salvador/CNY Companion Diocese notes that “the government of El Salvador has approved increases in the minimum wage in several sectors.” Tim Muth compares what the monthly minimum wages were and what they will be as of September 1 and adds: “the large number of workers in the informal sectors...
Venezuela, Brazil: Crossing Borders
We continue to follow cyclist David as he heads south on “only road that connects Venezuela and Brazil.
Costa Rica: Safe for Women
Uri Ridelman writes that JonBenet Ramsey's murder suspect had been an English teacher in Costa Rica. Scott celebrates a recent article in USA Today calling Costa Rica the third safest travel destination for women worldwide.
Uruguay: 60's-70's Classic Rock
Love, ani xo remains the definitive cyberspot for Uruguayan classic rock.
Chile: Meeting with Fernando Flores
Mary Joyce has narrowed down her meeting with Fernando Flores into five main topics of discussion. For more information on Flores, see Rosario Lizana's two-part interview and Claudio Ruiz's critique of Flores’ blogging style.
Bolivia: Crazy for Blogs
Sebastian Molina, who has been the driving force behind a weblog evangelization project called “Loc@s por los blogs” points readers to an article in El Deber with the same title.
Argentina: Buenos Aires: Diagonal Norte, Then and Now
Robert Wright explains why Diagonal Norte is his favorite avenue for architecture in Buenos Aires.
Venezuela: Hugo Chavez: No Me Gustas Tu
Lovers of Manu Chau and haters of Hugo Chavez will get a good laugh at all-encompassingly.
Bolivia: First Impressions
Eduardo Ávila pens his first impressions after returning to Cochabamba: “It appears that on every block in the city center, a new apartment building is on its way up. For starters, fewer individuals want to live in a house, even though it offers more space, a garden and more privacy.”
Cuba: The American's Guide to Cuban Diseases
Babalu Blog publishes “The American's Guide to Cuban Diseases”. Among the afflictions listed are “Ovarian Induced Dementia” and “Twisted Bonnet”.
Escondida Copper Mine Closes Production Because of Strike
The high international prices of copper have caused the workers of the biggest copper company in the world to start a strike 12 days ago. They are asking for a better salary. Last night, 800 miners had a violent incident with the police forces who were trying to break up...
Transparency is Promoted and Debated in the Brazilian Election Process
The call for transparency is ringing in the Lusosphere these days. Brazilian presidential and general elections are six weeks from now and, after the innumerable corruption scandals involving congressmen and executive officials, the push for truth has become a vigorous movement on the Internet. The issue was on top of...
El Salvador: Solving the Gang Problem
Insprired by the death of two young boys by a neighboring gang, Tim Muth has an unforgettable four piece series on El Salvador and Central America's gang problem. Print it out, come back to it throughout the weekend, but don't let it pass you by. (Parts 1, 2, 3, and...
Cuba: Sweet 15
Robin Thom had the good fortune to be on the right balcony at the right time in order to capture this lovely scene on the Paseo de Prado in Havana, Cuba. “I had always assumed this was a wedding,” writes Robin on his Flickr page, “but it was pointed out...
Mexico, Somalia: “A Forgotten Country”
Mexican blogger Enigmatario (ES) has a thorough post on the latest developments in Somalia in a post titled “A country forgotten by the world, Somalia, Islamist rebels, and Africa's Islamic future.”
Peru: Ollanta Humala formally charged in ‘Madre Mia’ case
Living in Peru writes that Ollanta Humala has been formally charged in the forced disappearance and homicide of spouses Avila Rivera and Benigno Sullca Castro on June 17, 1992 in Pucayacu, ten minutes away from Madre Mia. Maxwell A. Cameron has posted the entre article in Spanish.
Uruguay, USA: Free Trade Agreements
“To free trade with USA, or not to free trade, that's the question.” Or so says From Uruguay in a post that tries to understand how opposing ideologies can negotiate current economic needs.
Venezuela: Politics, Philosphy, and Gastronomy
Two more translated op-eds from Venezuela. Miguel Octavio has translated “Escape from Ramo Verde” by Teodoro Petkoff while Guillermo Parra has Héctor Silva Michelena's “The Postmodern Philosopher and the Human Vultures.” For those who believe Friday's aren't meant for politics and philosophy, Caracas Cafe says this is a good weekend...
Venezuela: Compiling a photographic record
Katy of Caracas Chronicles asks her readers to photograph all pro-Chávez sign in government buildings.
Puerto Rico: Leaving
Gil the Jenius contemplates the new trends in emigration from Puerto Rico: “The families leaving Puerto Rico are not the migrant workers of 50-60 years ago: now it's professionals who simply cannot remain here and achieve satisfaction, peace of mind and/or their goals.“
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