David Sasaki · April, 2006

Latest posts by David Sasaki from April, 2006

Venezuela: New CNE Board and Friday Night Fiesta

  28 April 2006

While Katy explains how the board of Venezuela's Electoral Council (the elections governing body) is selected, Francisco gives some background on the new five board members. Away from politics, Adriana of CaracasCafe recommends getting rowdy tonight at El Tunel's open bar.

Bolivia, Venezuela, Cuba: Morales’ TCP

  28 April 2006

Evo Morales has announced a free trade agreement with Venezuela and Cuba. A free trade agreement except that it shall be called a TCP, or “Trade Agreement of the Peoples.” Alvaro Ruiz-Navajas explains the difference, or lack thereof, in a two part series. Chilean blogger Carlos Gustavo Machicado Salas has...

Mexico: Debate Didn't Change Voters’ Decisions

  28 April 2006

Two polls taken after this week's presidential debate show Felipe Calderón as the winner despite bloggers’ insistence that it was Patricia Mercado who left in best shape. Another poll, however, reveals that 90% of those surveyed did not consider changing their vote after viewing the debate. For more numbers from...

World: Farmer's Market International Parade

  28 April 2006

Melissa De Leon and Elena Hernandez are co-hosting the “The Farmer's Market International Parade” where participants from across the world post photos of their neighborhood markets, which will then be collected and linked to. So far, entries have been received from Venezuela, Mexico, Trinidad, UK and Panama. Entries will be...

Honduras, El Salvador: Defining Boundaries

  27 April 2006

Honduras News and Tim's El Salvador Blog both mention the finalized agreement between El Salvador and Honduras over the border dividing the two countries. The decision closes an unfinished chapter of the 1969 “Soccer War.”

Guatemala: Mayan Translators

  27 April 2006

Noting that five Mayan languages are at risk of extinction, Chapinadas tells the story of the first graduating class of Mayan translators from the Academy of Mayan Languages.

Brazil: Portuguese and Indigenous Languages

  27 April 2006

While Portuguese is Brazil's official state language, M. Bichuetti of The Brazilian Way of Life says that around 180 native tongues are still present. Quoting a linguistics professor, Bichuetti says that some of the languages “are ‘on the verge of extinction,’ [while others] are ‘very vigorous.'”

El Salvador: Pro Life Nation

  27 April 2006

Writing from Antartica, J. Allbritton offers his thoughts on an article by Jack Hitt regarding El Salvador's strict anti-abortion laws. Tim Muth also recently commented on the article, inspiring various impassioned comments.

Costa Rica: Supreme Court to Discuss Gay Marriage

  27 April 2006

Andrés Duque says that Costa Rica's supreme court will decide next week if a new petition for marriage rights for same sex couples is constitutional. Sergio of La Foto Salió Movida describes (ES) the recent opposition against a gay rights conference. Cristian of Fusil de Chispas cites the intolerant comments...

World: Handwriting Meme

  27 April 2006

John Guzman, a native of Colombia now living in the United States, has started an international handwriting meme. He hopes to attract as much international participation as possible. There is also a Flickr group.

Peru: Looking to the Second Round

  26 April 2006

Patrice explains the en vogue Peruvian saying, “it now remains to choose between AIDS and cancer.” Boz cites a new poll which has Alan Garcia leading Ollanta Humala in the second round presidential elections.

Bolivia: Unity Festival 2006

  26 April 2006

GlowMain lists the DJ's that will perform at the 24-hour, non-stop, psychedelic trance event (ES) called “Unity Festival,” which will take place the first week of May in Bolivia.

Latin America: Stories Broken By Bloggers

  26 April 2006

Jose Luis Orihuela is making a list (ES) of stories that first broke on Spanish-language blogs and were then picked up by the mainstream media. Among the stories include Argentine soccer celebrity Diego Maradona's contract with a TV station (ES) and an anti-MTV marketing parody (ES).

Mexico: Paticia Mercado “Wins” First Presidential Debate

  26 April 2006

Eduardo Arcos live-blogged last night's presidential debate in Mexico (ES). Arcos says it was leftist outsider (and blogger), Patricia Mercado who won the debate. Goleech agrees (ES), but says that Felipe Calderón of the conservative PAN party also left in good shape. Boz says that “By not participating in the...

Peru: An Alliance Against Humala?

  26 April 2006

With more than 99% of the vote counted it is clear that Ollanta Humala will face Alan Garcia in the second round presidential elections. Un Lobo en Peru mentions a column by Mario Vargas Llosa calling for an alliance between APRA and Unidad Popular to defeat Ollanta. Fabiola Bazo of...