I am the Latin America Editor of Global Voices. I also write Undertones, Global Voices’ Civic Media Observatory's newsletter.
These past few years I have been a freelance journalist covering Central America, religion, human rights and the environment for different international media. I also founded the newsletter Central American News.
Latest posts by Melissa Vida
South American presidents react to the Israel-Gaza war
Chile and Argentina have the largest Palestinian and Israeli communities in the region. How have their presidents reacted to the war in the Middle East?
Chile's ongoing debt to human rights victims
"If they still can't agree on some truths about the dictatorship that was 50 years ago, what can be expected for the 2019 social uprising?" asks Chilean journalist Nicolás Lazo Jerez.
The Venezuelan cuatro: the musical instrument of a displaced population
As the Venezuelan diaspora has spread outside the country's borders, so has the cuatro.
Mexican government faces criticism for blocking portions of the safe internet
"Blocking entire sections of the internet based on the outdated belief that all Tor network traffic is indistinguishable or malicious is a mistake," the Tor Project spokesperson said.
The Falkland Islands are an open wound in Argentina
Every year in Argentina history is commemorated to show the other side of history, the side of the defeated.
An emblematic documentary salvaged during Chile's dictatorship has been restored
How a group of people took coordinated action to safeguard the tapes of the Chilean documentary "The Battle of Chile, the Struggle of an Unarmed People."
Why people are voting for ‘anarco-capitalist’ Milei, from an Argentinian perspective
"The trouble is that in this 'fed-upness,' anyone can come along, and that's what happened."
The story of the ‘little Russian houses’ in Havana, Cuba, in photos
The distant memory of the phrase, "I'm going to buy from the Russians" is a dusty memory of the period when they lived in this area.
Why do we keep hiding the history of technology?
The machines that transformed our tech are now lying in dust
Latin America embraces Barbie through pink tacos, parodies and protests
The film 'Barbie' is immensely popular in Latin America - and there's something for everyone.
The healing love between Indigenous women
"The freer we are as individuals, the freer we are as a people."
Women-led legislature revives a small Spanish town against all odds
In Spain, where the right has gained so much strength, and the far right is gaining power, Angüés differentiates itself with a horizontal and feminine form of government.
Brazilian President Lula's endorsement of Maduro's regime sparks strong reactions among Brazilians and Venezuelans
Why it is so dangerous to talk about "constructed narratives" in the case of Venezuela
Unfreedom Monitor Report: Ecuador
Advox research into digital authoritarianism in Ecuador is now in a report. Read an excerpt and download the full pdf.
Why Paraguay's elections matter
Why the '-guay' elections (that are not about Uruguay) are a big deal in Latin America and beyond.
#VoicesOfChange: Mexican activist Julia Didriksson wants to heal the wounds of macho violence online
In the first installment of #VoicesOfChange we interview Julia Didriksson, a Mexican digital activist who creates educational feminist content and organizes women's circles.
Twitter wars: Latin American presidents’ feuds threaten regional unity
Latin American governments have gotten into bitter disputes, many of them via Twitter, at a time when the region is poised to form common fronts on issues such as climate change, migration or the exploitation of new raw materials.
Women's Day in Latin America: Reggaeton, rage, and sisterhood
Despite varying demands around labor or abortion rights, the main thread throughout Latin America was against gender-based violence.
Latin America walks a fine line between East and West amidst Ukrainian conflict and China-U.S. tensions
At the first anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine and in the midst of growing tensions between superpowers, our region maintains an ambiguous role.
Liked Shakira's new hit? Listen to these other empowering songs from the same DJ
Bizarrap and these artists are helping shape pop culture for a safer and empowering space for all women and LGBTQ+ people.
‘Hacking should be used to wake up and rebel,’ says hacker group Guacamaya
'Hacktivism is a tool of resistance of this time.'