Global Venezuelan. Latinopolitan. Doctor in Education Sciences – Researcher in informal learning, intercultural exchanges and online media.
I'm in love with many areas and I can't choose, so I cross and intercept them. I've researched on new technologies and their role in intercultural sensitivity and gender. I've also written about cultural encounters and explored the world of web literacy and online censorship. I'm also passionately interested in ‘global’ literature and hybrid identities.
My writing work has been published and shared on Global Voices, Public Radio International, IFEX, NACLA and Freemuse, among others.
Latest posts by Laura Vidal
Dear international left: Stop telling Venezuelans what to think
While their intentions to defend a Latin American movement are understandable, their silence years later on the egregious human rights violations in Venezuela is painful.
Venezuela's civic space hangs in the balance with election results
The stakes are very high for civil society, as the civic space risks being completely shut down under a new Maduro administration.
#YoTeCreoVZLA: The movement that breaks the long silence on sexual abuse in Venezuela
A new wave of accusations has given rise to Venezuela's #MeToo movement.
A web comic from Colombia discusses surveillance and gender in Latin America—to the rhythm of salsa
''Beyond the joke that "every breath you take" seems like it could be written by the NSA, we realized that this is about a man that spies on a woman.''
Journalists, YouTubers, and politicians join forces in Colombia against the killings of social leaders
Social media influencers are trying to draw attention to the struggle of leaders in rural areas to those in connected urban spaces.
Venezuela's political crisis is intensifying and censorship is on the rise
Food, water and electricity are increasingly scarce, as is access to communication networks.
This Argentinian project documents street art from all over Latin America
Born during the 1998-2002 Argentinian economic depression, Arte Callejero began paying attention to visual, artistic responses to the crisis.
Colombian activists deliver letter about killings of social leaders to the ICC
Over 163 community leaders and activists have been murdered over the past three years in Colombia.
These Colombian journalists want you to know that Pablo Escobar was no hero
"This 'hero' forced us to stay indoors, to suspect from everyone, and to react with fire and violence."
Welcome to the Venezuelan internet. Luis Carlos and Naky will be your guides.
Through serious analysis and their signature wit, Luis Carlos Diaz and Naky Soto have helped a generation of us learn our digital rights.
Charged with ‘instigating crimes’, journalist Luis Carlos Diaz is released in Venezuela
The Global Voices community is relieved that our colleague is safe and with his family.
Journalist and human rights defender Luis Carlos Díaz detained by state security in Venezuela
After hours of silence from the authorities, Díaz was confirmed to be detained by the Bolivarian Intelligence Police (SEBIN).
With hundreds of political prisoners still in jail, the Nicaraguan conflict is far from over
While 100 people were reported to be released from prison, the efforts for those who remain behind bars and denounce human rights abuses continue.
Mexican women protest for their lives as kidnappings and femicides surge
More than 150 people, most of them women, have been kidnapped from Mexico City's subway system over the past four years.
Venezuelans see the politics of humanitarian aid play out in online attacks
A unique and technically sophisticated attack this week targeted VoluntariosxVenezuela, an opposition-aligned humanitarian aid website.
The complicated narratives of the Venezuelan conflict
"This is is not a left-wing, right-wing conflict"
Reports of internet blocks and media censorship as power struggle tensions escalate in Venezuela
Internet access is being blocked intermittently and radio stations are being censored as Venezuela's political crisis intensifies.
‘Nobody knows what will come next': Venezuelans rally in strongest challenge to Maduro yet
"In 2014, having the security services pull the plug on the Maduro regime was a fantasy. In 2017, it was a hope. In 2019, it’s the plan"
Venezuela's crisis of political legitimacy has rocked Wikipedia — and might have led to its blocking
Venezuelan Wikipedians are at war over a question rattling the country: Who has legitimate claim to the presidency?
Latin America's year of political struggle and unexpected displays of solidarity
Elections, migration, community support and social struggle. Another turn of the screw for Latin America and its people.
Venezuelans shudder at news of biometric ID deal with Chinese tech giant
The Reuters report that revealed the role of Chinese company ZTE in Venezuela shook the networks but surprised just a few.