I was raised in Isabela, Puerto Rico and I'm currently living in the Washinton, DC Metro Area. I hold a Bachelor's Degree in Computer Engineering from the University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez and a Master's Degree in Software Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin. Presently I work as a software engineer in the healthcare sector.
A passion for journalism, human rights and the fight against censorship has led me to join Global Voices as a translator and contributor.
Latest posts by César Santiago
Puerto Rico: Plagiarism Revealed Through the Net
Janet Marilyn Hernández, a Venezuelan blogger and public relations professional, discovered that her thesis was plagiarized in a newspaper article and blog post written by professor Ivan Ríos of the University of Puerto Rico. Using email, posts, Twitter and Facebook she brought the situation to the attention of the University and the mainstream press. The professor has since resigned.
Puerto Rico: “Ateorizar” Takes Atheism Online
Finding an absence of online projects in Spanish about atheism, Puerto Rican blogger Manolo Matos started "Ateorizar." The podcast will be going to its third season next October, and the blog has received over 150,000 visits. Matos talks to Global Voices about his project.
Puerto Rico: “Why So Much Fear of an Image?”
Photojournalist Ricardo Alcaraz publicly denounced that the University of Puerto Rico censored one of his photos from a photo essay he was preparing for the 25th anniversary edition of the University's monthly newspaper Diálogo, where he has worked since its foundation. Dozens of people have republished the censored photo on their walls on Facebook and distributed the link to the 80grados story on Twitter. There has been an outpouring of solidarity and outrage.
Puerto Rico: Blogger Exposes Misleading Commercial
Puerto Rican blogger Ed Morales gave a first hand account of the shooting of a Fiat commercial that shows actress and singer Jennifer López driving around her old neighborhood in the Bronx, New York. In fact, as Morales demonstrates with photos, López was never there.
Puerto Rico: Media Coverage of Women's Basketball Gold Medal
Bloggers celebrate Puerto Rico's Women's Basketball Team gold medal in the Pan American Games and declare this an opportunity to rethink Puerto Rican attitudes toward women athletes.
Puerto Rico: Tropical Storm Irene Leaves Heavy Rain and Damages
Tropical storm Irene hit Puerto Rico on August 21st leaving wind damage, floods, constant rain, and the evacuation of entire communities. This is the same storm, now a hurricane, that is hitting the United States east coast. The online community has posted videos of the aftermath of tropical storm Irene in Puerto Rico.
Puerto Rico: ‘Speak Your Mind’ Online
Under the slogan "Speak your Mind," the online magazine Qiibo covers everyday Puerto Rican politics and the latest entertainment and technology news. Global Voices author Cesar Santiago interviewed the staff about their interests, their place within Puerto Rico's online media, the possibility of alliances with traditional media, and the Puerto Rican blogosphere.
Puerto Rico: Debate on Domestic Violence Continues
In Puerto Rico, the public debate on domestic violence has reached a boiling point. Individuals and organizations react online, and offline, to the recent court decisions regarding the application of the Law against Domestic Violence.
Puerto Rico: Controversial Decision on Domestic Violence
Puerto Rico's Supreme Court upheld a decision from a lower court that stated that a victim of domestic violence at the hands of her partner in an adulterous relationship was not protected by the country's domestic violence law. The blogosphere reacts to the decision.
Puerto Rico: In Defense of the Hispanic Studies Department
The department of Hispanic Studies is one of 10 academic programs that have been put "on pause" by the administration of the University of Puerto Rico starting August 2011. The administration cites low enrollment numbers as the justification for this action. Students and faculty members have criticized the decision and explain the importance of the department.
Puerto Rico: Violence Continues as Students Engage in Civil Disobedience
On January 20th, students from the University of Puerto Rico started staging acts of civil disobedience as part of their strike against the $800 dollar annual fee imposed by the administration. The Police has arrested almost 100 protesters and assaulted journalists who have been covering the incidents. Social media and blogs have been an important tool of dissemination and a space for analysis.
Puerto Rico: Online Debate on Hooded Protesters
Recently, hooded individuals protesting in the student strike at the University of Puerto Rico committed acts of vandalism that were caught on camera. Members of the Puerto Rican blogosphere discuss the impact they have caused to the cause and some wonder if they are students at all.
Venezuela: Reactions to Comments by OAS Regarding Enabling Law
Venezuelan Twitter users and bloggers have reacted to the Enabling Law that concedes President Hugo Chávez the power to rule by decree on certain matters for the next 18 months; they have also given their opinion about declarations regarding the Enabling Law given by the Secretary General of the OAS, José Miguel Insulza.
Puerto Rico: Police Occupies the University of Puerto Rico
After the conclusion of a two day walk out organized by students, the Police has occupied the main campus of the University of Puerto Rico for the first time since 1981 in anticipation of a possible student strike on December 14. The blogosphere and social media networks are buzzing with reactions.
Puerto Rico: Bloggers Criticize Censorship Call of Calle 13 Song
The president of the Puerto Rico Telecommunications Regulatory Board described Calle 13's latest song as "obscene" and "lewd" and has invited the general public to send their complaints so she can forward them to the United States Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The Puerto Rican blogosphere reacts.
Panama: Retirees Protest With Street Closures
Street closures and peaceful protests have marked the claims of retirees who call for an increase in their pensions. Twitter reactions are almost all against these measures that affect everyone. However, there are those who see the closure of streets as the only viable option.
Puerto Rico: Government Solidifies Grip on The Supreme Court
For the first time in history, the pro-statehood National Progressive Party of Puerto Rico (NPP) has a majority of judges in the country's Supreme Court. The court, in a partisan 4-3 vote asked last week to increase the number of sitting judges to nine which could give the NPP a solid 6-3 majority in the court for years to come. The blogosphere and online media react.
Dominican Republic: Taking Measures Against Cholera
The cholera outbreak has been expanding to the Haitian capital, Port-au-Prince. Experts from the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) consider it a matter of time before cholera reaches Dominican territory. Bloggers react.
Peru: Municipal Elections, Delays and the Electronic Vote
After over three weeks since the municipal elections, the people of Lima still didn't know for certain who would be their next mayor; a minimal difference between the candidates has put the spotlight on electronic voting, and the slow process brought forth all kinds of suspicions, doubts and even accusations of fraud attempts.
Puerto Rico: Pervasive Corruption in the Police Department
The Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) arrested 133 people in Puerto Rico, including 89 police officers, in what the US Department of Justice called "the biggest police corruption investigation in the history of the FBI". The blogosphere reacts.
