Uruguayan-Spanish journalist, editor, and blogger. Currently living in Chile, tweeting in English and Spanish under @silviavinas, and blogging on silviavinas.com
Latest posts by Silvia Viñas from April, 2013
Campesino Resistance in Honduras
Chavelo’s voice was quiet but unwavering as [he] expressed his gratitude that we traveled all the way from the U.S. and Canada with the human rights and solidarity organization Rights Action to hear his story. […] Chavelo recounted briefly how he ended up in the prison, emphatically stating that, “I...
Data Journalism Handbook Now in Spanish
The International Journalists’ Network, IJNET, recently announced the release of the Spanish translation [es] of The Data Journalism Handbook, “a free, open-source book that aims to help journalists use data to improve journalism.” Both the original English version and the Spanish translation are freely available online under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike...
Nobel Laureates: On with Ríos Montt Trial
“If this case does not move forward, survivors of Guatemala’s genocide are being victimized all over again,” says Nobel Peace laureate Jody Williams, co-founder of the Nobel Women’s Initiative. “They have taken a huge risk in testifying, and many have been harassed, intimidated and threatened. To annul the case would...
Visiting World's ‘Most Dangerous Country’
Every day I wake up, shivering with fear, hoping I’ll make it to see the light of another day here in Honduras. I live behind doors enforced with triple bolt locks and I barely dare to go out on the street. […] If that’s what you want to hear, there...
Developing Latin America: A Summary
Desarrollando América Latina (Developing Latin America) has published a video summary of the regional hackathon DAL 2012, where 400 participants and 70 social experts developed 80 applications. Here [es] you can see Global Voices’ coverage of the event.
Horacio Cartes Elected President of Paraguay
Horacio Cartes is Paraguay's new president, winning 46% against Efrain Alegre's 37%. Cartes faces major issues from the past: the legacy of Colorado Party rule, the ongoing challenges related to Lugo's impeachment and removal from regional groups, and questions about his own background. Boz from Bloggings by boz lists five...
Article 19 Mexico Threatened
An anonymous threatening message [es] was delivered to the Article 19 Mexico offices on April 19, 2013, as reported [es] by the pro-human rights and freedom of expression organization. As a result, its director, Darío Ramírez, has published a video [es]. You can follow the hashtag #articulo19 to stay informed,...
A Message from an Achuar Indigenous Leader
Amazon Watch has uploaded a video with a message from Peruvian Achuar indigenous leader Peas Peas Auyi. In the message, Peas Peas Auyi thanks Canadian allies for their solidarity in the Achuar's struggle against mining in the Peruvian Amazon.
Uruguay Legalizes Same-Sex Marriage
Uruguay has become the second Latin American country, after Argentina, to legalize same-sex marriage. Under Uruguayan law, marriage is now defined as “the permanent union between two people of the same or opposite sex."
Honduras’ Indigenous Reject Hydroelectric Project
Simply put, this dam is a death sentence to the indigenous communities that have lived here for generations.
Colombians to March for Peace
Former senator Piedad Córdoba has called [es] for a march in favor of peace for April 9, 2013. The event seeks to ask the Colombian government to continue carrying out peace talks with FARC until they agree to a cease fire. There are several hashtags dedicated to the march [es]...
E-book on Digital Activism in Chile
Chilean website El Quinto Poder has published an e-book on digital activism in Chile [es, PDF], as part of the project “Social Media and Citizen Advocacy: Towards a new political legitimacy?” [es]. The book analyzes different activism initiatives and it considers “the symbolic dimensions of the forms of discourse which are...
Uruguay Moves Towards Marriage Equality
On April 2, 2013, the Uruguayan Senate voted 23 to 8 to legalize same-sex marriage. The bill also raises the minimum age for marriage to 16. The bill will now go back to the lower house, which is set to vote on the Senate's amendments this month. El Telégrafo shares...
Racism in Costa Rican Football
José Medrano in Carepicha Blog [es] speaks out against racism in football games and in society in general. I think that racist insults should be punished with a high fine or with community work, along with the obligation to attend courses where they are taught about history and ethics, everything...
Filmmakers Crowdfund Documentary on Paraguay's ‘Recycled Orchestra’
In a slum outside Asunción, Paraguay, where a violin costs more than a house, musician Fabio Chavez is transforming children's lives by teaching them to play music with instruments made out of trash. A film about Fabio's "recycled orchestra" is raising funds through Kickstarter.