Stories from 14 March 2013
Vive Latino 2013: Sustainability, Chilean Bands and Female Voices
The festival "Vive Latino 2013" (Mexico) will include the participation of Blur, Los Fabulosos Cadillacs, Los Auténticos Decadentes and Panteón Rococó, among many others. Global Voices presents 3 different points of view about the festival in question.
Venezuela: Twitter user detained for spreading “destabilizing” information
On March 14, Lourdes Alicia Ortega Pérez was detained by Venezuelan authorities for allegedly having having sent messages on Twitter that were "destabilizing [to] the country."
Trinidad & Tobago: Soldiers as Police?
The soldier will have all of the powers of a police officer…but he doesn’t fall under the jurisdiction of the Commissioner of Police. The Eternal Pantomime thinks that “this precepting of soldiers…is about something deeper and far sinister. It is about controlling the State.”
Guyana, Cuba: Habemus Papam, But “Who Is He”?
It's been a full day since the white smoke billowing above the Sistine Chapel signalled the news that Catholics the world over were waiting for: Habemus Papam. As it turned out, the Conclave of Cardinals elected the first Latin American and the first ever Jesuit pope...but, as one blogger asked, "Who is he"?
Allegations Tie Pope Francis to Argentina's ‘Dirty War’ Past
Was Jorge Bergoglio -now Pope Francis- involved in Argentina's deadly military dictatorship? Many around the world are asking this question as netizens continue to share information on Bergoglio alleged role in the country's 'Dirty War'. Others have pointed out that Bergoglio has repeatedly denied these accusations, and some have come to his defense.
Rapists Get Off Light in Cayman Islands
Code Red blogs about “two recent cases reported in regional media [which] demonstrate the extent of the injustice which girls who survive sexual assault face.”
Peru: Four Years of Uncertainty for Defendants in ‘Baguazo’ Clashes
Almost four years after clashes in Bagua left an official death toll of 34 (including 23 policemen), the legal status of 53 indigenous men indicted in the death of 12 police officers remains unresolved. In this post we look at the latest developments in the case.
Barcelona's Best Writers, Translators Celebrate Literary Journal Asymptote's Anniversary
Asymptote, an international digital literature and translation magazine, celebrated its second anniversary with events held around the globe, including Barcelona. Yew Leong Lee, the magazine's editor-in-chief, spoke with Global Voices about the project.
Assault Against Immigrant Causes Outrage in Spanish Town
Moulaye Ndiaye, a street vendor from Senegal, was thrown from a bridge in Buñol, Valencia, Spain. There has been a large civilian mobilisation to condemn the attack and find the perpetrator.
In Spain, Money for Bulls But Cuts for Citizens
In February, the government of the People's Party (PP) agreed to debate a popular initiative to name bullfighting a "Cultural Interest Good" in Spain. It is calculated that more than 500 million euros are invested in bullfighting a year in Spain in the midst of severe of welfare cuts and austerity measures.
Banned Music and Missing Voices in Angola
The Angolan National Police have confiscated, amongst other works, DVDs by rapper Brigadeiro 10 Pacotes in an act of censorship against voices that are unsettling the Angolan authorities. A protest was called for in response which ended in police violence and at least one arrest. On the web, citizens remember the activists that disappeared after demonstrations in 2012.
Hero Reports: Positive Information Driving Social Change in Mexico
Paula Gonzalo from Periodismo Ciudadano (Citizen Journalism) interviews Yesica Guerra, Director of Hero Reports, a project that geo-tags information, gathered via crowdsourcing or citizen participation, relating to acts of kindness that take place in Mexico.
Argentinians, the Government and Pope Francis
The announcement "Habemus Papam" caused a lot of happiness among Argentinians when they found out that the new pope is a fellow countryman. Argentinians analyzed his relationship with the current government and celebrated the conclave's decision.
Aung San Suu Kyi Endorses China-backed Mine in Myanmar
The commission formed by the government and headed by opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi to probe the violent dispersal of protesters in the Chinese copper mine project has released its report. It found out that police used smoke bombs to disperse protesters. But it still approved the project as long as reforms are implemented in the contract. Residents are criticizing the report
Stones & Glasshouses? A Writer Challenges the Kremlin
Kittens aside, there is nothing your average Russian blogger loves better than a juicy spat about politics or literature, except for a combination of the two.
Cambodian Blogs to Read
Santel Phin creates a list of must-read blogs in Cambodia. Among the bloggers he mentioned who are writing in English, French, and Khmer are Global Voices authors Kounila, Sopheap, and Tharum.
