I am a freelance journalist based in Mexico City and cover Central America for Global Voices.
Latest posts by Melissa Vida
5 June 2020
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."
31 May 2020
#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.
28 April 2020
A selection of Latin American and Caribbean ‘coronavirus songs’
The songs' mood range from solemn to humorous.
27 March 2020
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.
19 March 2020
‘Protecting forests is crucial to cure pandemics,’ indigenous leaders say
"If the forests are cut down, where are we going to get medicine?"
14 March 2020
With no officially confirmed cases, El Salvador locks itself down to prevent COVID-19
"What would Italy give to be in our position?"
9 March 2020
In photos: #8M throughout Latin America
Around Latin America, more than a million women marched against gender violence.
26 February 2020
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.
25 February 2020
Journalists seek justice as attacks continue in Colombia
"...when journalists are silenced, the whole of society is attacked.”
6 February 2020
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.
5 February 2020
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...
24 January 2020
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.
21 January 2020
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.
13 January 2020
Smoke from Australia's fires reached South America
The smoke of Australia's megafires traveled 12,000 kilometers across the Pacific Ocean.
10 January 2020
Guatemalan indigenous journalist charged with terrorism released from prison
In Guatemala, an indigenous journalist was arrested under legally dubious circumstances.
1 October 2019
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.
17 September 2018
‘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.
14 June 2018
Nicaraguan protesters and journalists face violent attacks on the streets and online
Journalists are being assaulted and have their equipment stolen, Nicaraguans’ Wi-Fi identifiers have been hacked.
23 April 2018
#SOSNicaragua: At least 25 killed in Nicaragua protests, including one journalist, say human rights groups
Nicaraguans are live broadcasting, tweeting and video blogging about the crisis on the ground.
3 March 2018
10,000 Belgians March for Migrants’ Rights in Brussels
Demonstrators are protesting a proposed law that grants police the right to raid homes in their search for undocumented people, something they fear is becoming all too common.
