Latest posts by Silvia Viñas from February, 2012
Chile: The Role of Public Libraries in Post-Earthquake Reconstruction
Several Chilean bloggers are sharing their thoughts on the second anniversary of the 8.8-magnitude earthquake that hit Chile on February 27, 2010. Enzo Abbagliati [es] looks at how public libraries...
Paraguay: An Interview on the Land Conflict in Alto Parana
Landowners are opposing review of land titles in the department of Alto Paraná “to determine if the lands are ‘ill-gotten,’ whose title deeds could be forged or faked or simply...
Uruguay: Scenes From the Longest Carnival in the World
Every year, Uruguayans celebrate the longest carnival in the world. Percussionists, dancers and musical and theatrical performers take center stage for over 40 days. Sites and blogs dedicated to the event keep netizens around the world informed on the different aspects of carnival, while bloggers share photos, videos, and thoughts on this celebration of culture and heritage.
El Salvador: Hunnapuh, a Pioneer of the Salvadoran Blogosphere
We talk with Omar Nieto, a pioneer in the Salvadoran blogosphere. His blog Hunnapuh is one of the oldest and longest-lived in this Central American country. In this interview, Omar talks to us about his blog and about the Salvadoran blogosphere. He also shares some advice about maintaining consistency and quality in a blog.
Argentina: The Sarmiento Train Crash, an Accident Waiting to Happen
Simon Kofoed says that the train crash that took place last week in Buenos Aires, Argentina, “is the worst train accident in Argentina since the 1979 head on collision of...
Peru: Problems with Access to Information and Forestry Transparency
The Peruvian Press Council reported on a “Public Hearing: Access to Information and Transparency Forest,” accompanied by a training workshop on related issues in the town of Nueva Cajamarca, San...
Colombia: Using an Earthquake to Advertise
Geek The Planet writes about an earthquake in Colombia which took place during the morning of February 24 and the recklessness of some Community Managers who used the quake to...
Peru: A Conversation with Rafael Salazar of Creative Commons Peru
Oscar Montezuma Panez from the blog Blawyer [es] spoke to Rafael Salazar, one of the leaders behind Creative Commons Peru. In the conversation, Rafael explains what the local Creative Commons chapter...
Bolivia: Disabled Protesters Clash with Police
Disabled Bolivians marching to demand higher government subsidies clashed with police on Thursday, February 23. Blogger Mario R. Durán [es] shares citizen photos of the clashes. On Twitter, netizens are...
Chile: Aysén Region and the Call for Decentralization
Protests, road blocks, and clashes between protesters and police continue as citizens of Chile's Aysén region demand change. For many, the conflict in Aysén boils down to one problem affecting the whole country: centralism. Chilean bloggers weigh in on the issue.
Argentina: Train Crash Leaves At Least 49 Dead, Hundreds Injured
A commuter train crashed in Buenos Aires, Argentina, leaving at least 49 dead and hundreds injured according to the latest reports. Netizens are using the hashtags #Sarmiento [es], #Once [es]...
Guatemala: Looking to Georgia for a Lesson on Fighting Corruption
Blogger Luis Figueroa [es] wonders if Guatemala could benefit from following Georgia's example in fighting corruption.
Nicaragua: Discovering ‘1001 Tropics’ with Blogger Mildred Largaespada
The well-known blogger and journalist Mildred Largaespada was recently interviewed about her participation as the first Nicaraguan woman in the 20minutos.es Premios 20Blogs blog competition. Here we share the video of the interview and the additional questions that Midred added to her blog.
El Salvador: Facebook Photo Album Documents Worst Examples of Campaigning
Legislative elections for El Salvador are scheduled for March 11, 2012. Tim's El Salvador Blog reports on an interesting Facebook initiative: “The Facebook page called “Sociedad Civil” (Civil Society) is...
Peru is Hit by Strong Rains
Juan Arellano reports [es] that the rainy season in Peru has arrived with particular strength this year. He names some areas that have been affected by the rainfall in his...
Uruguay: Ice Cream Parlor's Lacking Twitter Strategy
In the blog El Cielo es Verde [es], Fernando Bernini critiques the Twitter strategy of La Cigale (@HeladosLaCigale), a well-know Uruguayan ice cream parlor.
Colombia: Through the Eyes of Expat Bloggers
Colombia's official travel website has called on some 30 foreigners to share their Colombian living and travel adventures to the world through blogging. The official site will launch on February 20, but some of the participants offer a glimpse of the project on their personal blogs.
Honduras: Prison Fire Kills Hundreds
A blaze broke out on Tuesday night, February 14, in a prison in Comayagua. The blog Honduras News has published several posts (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, ) on the...
Paraguay: Displaced Indigenous Community to Return to Land
Intercontinental Cry re-posts a report by Amnesty International: “After living next to a major highway for nearly two decades without access to water, regular food supplies or even land to...
El Salvador: The Family Agriculture Plan
Colleen O'Brien from the blog Locavore del Mundo writes about The Family Agriculture Plan (PAF) in El Salvador, “a new act that was implemented in 2011 by the Ministry of...
Mexico, USA: Journalist and Author Sam Quinones Starts Blogging
Author and journalist Sam Quinones has started a blog about “Los Angeles, Mexico, migrants, culture, drugs, neighborhoods, border, and good storytelling.” You can also follow him on Twitter: @samquinones7.