· August, 2008

Stories about Latin America from August, 2008

Cuba, U.S.A.: Trading Partners

  15 August 2008

Child of the Revolution reports that “newly-released figures confirm what many of us have known for some time” – that the US trade restrictions on Cuba are really “not much of an embargo”.

Colombia: The Road to La Loma in Medellín

  15 August 2008

The road up to the La Loma neighborhood of Medellín, Colombia is built for cars, trucks and buses. This leaves very little room for pedestrians, and Catalina Restrepo of Cosas del Alma [es] asks, “Where does one walk in La Loma?“

Peru: Photos of Children from the Highlands

  15 August 2008

Luis Yupanqui of Peruviajero [es] publishes photos of children from the Peruvian highlands. He writes, “I don't take their souls, as is believed in many highland towns, but I do take with me that child's innocence, those smiles and eyes wide open and curious that feed my soul.”

Argentina: Blog Day 2008 in Mar Del Plata

  15 August 2008

Mar Del Plata (Argentina) Blog Day 2008 is scheduled for September 5. The event seeks to “connect the distinct personal and communal blog networks that exist in the city and in the country.”

Paraguay: Luis Lindstron Remains Kidnapped

  15 August 2008

Paraguayan cattlerancher Luis Lindstron was kidnapped more than two weeks ago. There is still no sign of him. Mabel Rehnfeldt of El Dedo en La Llaga [es] writes an open letter to Lindstron apologizing that his kidnapping is no longer making news headlines and she writes that it is unfortunate...

Chile: Advisor to the Minister of Public Works

  15 August 2008

Luis Ramirez reveals how he spends his day in his new role as advisor to the Chilean Minister of Public Works Sergio Bitar. Many commenters do not share Ramirez’ admiration for the former Education Minister.

Ecuador: Free Hugs in Quito

  15 August 2008

Christian Espinosa of Cobertura Digital [es] discovers that the “Free Hugs” phenomenon has arrived to Ecuador, with a YouTube video that shows these hugs given in the La Carolina park in Quito.

Puerto Rico: Gay Marriage

  14 August 2008

“If a person thus chooses to love another–of the same sex or opposite–and that person loves back, why shouldn't they be allowed to formalize their relationship? Is love so frightening?” asks Gil the Jenius, as he weighs in on the issue of gay marriage.

Cuba: Birthday Candles

  14 August 2008

Child of the Revolution notes that “every August 13 without fail, the official Cuban media celebrates Fidel Castro’s birthday by trying to come up with ever more ridiculous ways to describe the man who ruled his 11 million subjects with an iron fist for close to half a century.” Yoani...

Video of Colombian refugees attacking a family in Chile raises concerns

  14 August 2008

A cell phone video where a group of people are seen attacking a family with sticks and stones, and leaving most of them unconscious, has been determined to show 10 Colombian refugees attacking a family of Peruvian residents getting home from a party in the town of Iquique in Chile on August 3rd 2008. This video evidence was used by the District Attorney in processing and imprisoning at least two of the Colombian refugees who were later released.

Jamaica: Chemical of the Future

  13 August 2008

The Golding administration divests the country's sugar industry, causing Abeng News Magazine‘s Trevor Bogle to examine what the move means for Jamaica: “Jamaica’s energy platforms are substantially now controlled by entities whose interests are most likely not coincidental with our own, to our detriment!”

Paraguay: The Start of Lugo's Political Career at Citizen's March

  13 August 2008

Carlos Rodríguez of RESCATAR [es] recalls the beginning of Paraguayan president-elect Fernando Lugo's political career, when he spoke at a citizen's march in 2006where he called for the resignation of 5 ministers from the Supreme Court. More than 2 years later, Lugo will be sworn in as the country's new...

Ecuador: The Use of Media During Constitutional Referendum Campaign

  13 August 2008

The media in Ecuador is frequent criticized for its content and its role in society. However, as the Referendum for the approval of the new Constitution fast approaches, the government is also a target of criticism for the amount of money spent for the campaign. The amount is at levels never seen in recent history.

Brazil: Olympics, war and elections

  12 August 2008

"I confess that I am the biggest fan of the Olympics and that I woke at 5 am on Saturday to see the Gymnastics competition. But every once in a while it is good to look further and see what is beyond an event as large as this", says a 16 year old blogger.

Brazil: Olympics Made in China

  12 August 2008

Márcio Laurini [pt] explains why he is not following the Olympics: “There was lip-syncing in the Olympics opening ceremony, the fireworks were made by a computer, and sports are a dispute over the best doping. I'd rather read a book.”

Brazil: Blogging the importance of voting

  12 August 2008

A new collective aims to educate Brazilian electors through blogging: “We ask your help to bring about the beginning of this change. Let's get together and scream so loudly that our voices can not be ignored and they will hear everywhere”. Everyone is invited to blog about the importance of...

Trinidad & Tobago, Cuba: First Olympic Medal

  12 August 2008

Caribbean Beat Blog congratulates Cuba for being the first regional territory to bring home an Olympic medal, and notes that “there are still high hopes, particularly in track and field, for the region's best standing on the winners’ podium over the next two weeks.”

Cuba: Is it worth it?

  12 August 2008

Yoani Sanchez examines Cuba's new proposal for higher pensions and uses the case of a soon-to-be-retired schoolteacher to show how inequitable the system is: “To put it as crudely as it deserves, this woman will now work five years longer and in return, when she finally leaves the workforce, she...

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.