Stories about Latin America from August, 2010
Cuba: Same Old?
As U.S. President Obama prepares to reconsider the travel ban on Cuba, Uncommon Sense says: “Before he does so, he might want to consider the assessment of the three prisoners who were released this week.”
Mexico: Parents to be Reminded About Vaccinations through SMS
Health officials will send parents text messages reminding them about the date, time and place where their children can be vaccinated. Ximena Vega explains [es] that health officials aim to reduce infant mortality rate through this initiative. She adds that the geographical scope of the SMS campaign and its official...
Cuba: About the Law
Iván's File Cabinet tells the story of the Teófilo family, whose patriarch, in light of eviction threats from the authorities, is convinced that “his biggest crime was to try to have a prosperous life”; Laritza's Laws, meanwhile, reports on an unprecedented legal matter involving the incumbent Minister of Justice.
Liberia/Mexico: Mexico Vs Liberia: An informal comparison
Esteyonange's informal comparison of Liberia/Mexico: “Ever since arriving in Liberia with the “knowledge” that 85% of its residents were unemployed, I have been suffering from a minor obsession about how people with little to no money make it from day to day…”
Mexico: Adoption Rights for Same-Sex Couples
Pepe Flores writes [es] about the Supreme Court's decision to uphold a law which allows same-sex couples to adopt children. He calls the ruling, “A great triumph for the LGBT community in our country, and in general, for all civil society.”
Bolivia: Encouraging Street Children to Skateboard
The blog [es] for the Art and Culture Association of San Isidro in Bolivia shares pictures of an initiative to encourage children from the street to engage in urban sports, skateboarding specifically. The event also included a breakdancing workshop.
Brazil: Sex and Politics
Blog Futepoca [pt] posts a collection of videos from a federal deputy candidate for the next Brazilian elections in October. In the videos, Jeferson Camillo intends to show that he supports diversity: he is featured with women at a Motel and with a transvestite to give the idea that he...
Brazil: Indigenous Camp Resists for Eight Months in Brasilia
Since the beginning of this year, members of different indigenous Brazilian nations have settled a "revolutionary camp" out in front of the Ministry of Justice in Brasília D.F. The indigenous communities demand for the annulment of a decree on matters related to them, which was approved in the end of 2009 without consulting indigenous leaders.
Panama: The Urban Development Boom
The boom experienced by Panama's recent urban development has been discussed actively by bloggers throughout the years. From the impacts on the environment to Panama's historical heritage, we explore some examples of what the bloggers are sharing.
Cuba: Walking a Fine Line
“Although there is some level of tolerance towards the independent press and the opposition, permissiveness should not be confused with impunity”: Iván García attends his meeting with the Cuban authorities and reports that when it comes to independent journalists, “there is a fine line that cannot be crossed.”
Brazil: Gay Kiss Prejudice
Rafael Ximenes writes [pt] about the controversy in a university within the state of Minas Gerais, where the promotion poster for the 3rd Congress on Public Policy / Social Services depicts two women kissing. The teacher who decided to use the image has been fired and the case ended up...
Ecuador: Twitter Users Love Their Country
Ecuadorian Twitter users decided to commemorate their country's independence day by promoting the use of the #teamoecuador (I Love You Ecuador) hashtag on August 10.
Peru: Protests in La Convención Over Export of Gas
The export sale of natural gas from the Camisea project continues to cause social conflicts in Cusco, Peru. Local residents are demanding that a part of the production remains in the region at a reasonable price. Bloggers react to the news of the conflicts.
Brazil: The Indigenous, The Internet and Interculturality
Ever more present in villages, technology has been gaining ground as an efficient means to ensure the indigenous lifestyle and culture. Tools like Google Earth and GPS aid reforestation efforts and help combat deforestation.
Colombia: The 53rd Festival of Flowers in Medellín
The 53rd Annual Festival of Flowers recently took place in Medellín, Colombia and was discussed on citizen media, including the topic of the conflict between two local television stations for broadcast rights.
Video: Music videos under 99 USD
In an industry where expenses keep rising, making and promoting a music video can get tough. The 99 Dollar Music Video website gives bands and filmmakers a chance to shine with creative videos, shot in one day, edited in one day and costing no more than 99 US Dollars.
Cuba: He's Back
“Fidel Castro’s return to public life after a four-year absence provokes conflicting emotions here”: Generation Y and Havana Times blog about his reappearance.
Cuba: Marching in Memory
Cuban bloggers discuss the harassment of Reina Luisa Tamayo, as she makes attempts to organise commemoration marches to the grave of her son, political prisoner Orlando Zapata Tamayo.
Brazil: New Forestry Code = The Right to Deforestation?
An area of the Amazon equivalent to the size of England and France put together could be destroyed if changes proposed to the Brazilian Forestry Code come into force. The blogosphere reacts.
Cuba: Same Old?
“Following the release of 21 political prisoners, the Cuban government insists on reminding the dissidents and independent journalists that they will continue their repressive policies”: Laritza Diversent blogs about the summoning of “independent journalist Iván García for an interview.”
Paraguay: Speculation on Succession
After Paraguayan President Fernando Lugo announced that he has cancer, blogger Enrique Ramón Galeano observed that many local newspapers were already speculating on presidential succession [es].