I am a freelance journalist based in Mexico City and cover Central America for Global Voices.
Latest posts by Melissa Vida
‘A Fearless Song': Guatemalan women protest violence against women through music
"We sing without fear, we ask for justice; we shout for every disappeared woman"
After documenting land grabs in their reserve, 18 indigenous and black leaders detained in Nicaragua
Since 2015, self-trained Kriol and Rama forest rangers monitor deforestation and land grabs in the biological reserve.
Anonymous group hack reveals hidden government data about COVID-19 cases in Nicaragua
The hack revealed a surplus of 6,245 positive COVID-19 cases in Nicaragua that were previously unknown to the public.
For black and indigenous people in Central America, Black Lives Matter
"It's a racist, predatory and murderous system that they have been selling all over the planet as the best place on earth to live."
#SiAceptoCR: LGBTQ+ couples celebrate online as Costa Rica legalizes same-sex marriage
Costa Rica became a beacon of hope for LGBT advocates throughout Central America.
A selection of Latin American and Caribbean ‘coronavirus songs’
The songs' mood range from solemn to humorous.
Forty years on, a locked-down El Salvador remembers the assassination of Archbishop Oscar Romero online
The archbishop was shot by a death squad at the start of El Salvador's civil war, becoming an iconic figure in the struggle against human rights violations in Latin America.
‘Protecting forests is crucial to cure pandemics,’ indigenous leaders say
"If the forests are cut down, where are we going to get medicine?"
With no officially confirmed cases, El Salvador locks itself down to prevent COVID-19
"What would Italy give to be in our position?"
In photos: #8M throughout Latin America
Around Latin America, more than a million women marched against gender violence.
Despite exile, Evo Morales’ influence in Bolivian politics endures
Morales was allegedly the kingmaker behind the candidacy of Luis Arce, the former Minister of Economy who will represent MAS in the upcoming presidential elections.
Journalists seek justice as attacks continue in Colombia
"...when journalists are silenced, the whole of society is attacked.”
Bengali, Pakistani, and Amazon indigenous women perform ‘The rapist is you’ song
The flashmob by Chilean collective Las Tesis is still making waves around the world.
A novel about a Mexican family who migrates to the US comes under fire
"That Lydia is so shocked by her own country’s day-to-day realities gives the impression that Lydia might not be… a credible Mexican. In fact, she perceives her own country through...
The real reasons people are fleeing Honduras
Hondurans live in a narco-state whose leadership is supported by the United States and which suffers from widespread corruption, gender violence, gang control, land-grabs, and the effects of climate change.
Can El Salvador's hosting of a surfing Olympic qualifier alter the country's violent image?
While some Salvadorans are celebrating the opportunity to host a major championship, others claim that there are bigger priorities than the country's image abroad.
Smoke from Australia's fires reached South America
The smoke of Australia's megafires traveled 12,000 kilometers across the Pacific Ocean.
Guatemalan indigenous journalist charged with terrorism released from prison
In Guatemala, an indigenous journalist was arrested under legally dubious circumstances.
While El Salvador's security improves, the country loses ground in press freedom
While there are fewer murders in El Salvador, the government appears to show censorship tendencies towards the media and critical voices.
‘Crimes of solidarity’ in Europe multiply as 11 stand trial in Belgium for helping migrants
Activists in Belgium claim the trial is aimed at dissuading people from helping migrants by establishing an intimidating judicial precedent.
