Stories about Latin America from July, 2015
This Is What Happens When You Give Power to the ‘Chicas’
Chicas Poderosas is a movement that trains women in journalism to help bring more diversity to newsrooms in Latin America.
Watch This Giant Rainbow Mural Transform a Low-Income Mexican Neighborhood
A low-income neighborhood in Mexico was transformed in a giant rainbow by the collective Germen Crew—a youth organization of muralists and street artists formed by 15 graffiti artists, under the direction of...
Need to Thank the Saints? Mexico Has You Covered
Retablitos, a form of popular art in Mexico made to give thanks for miracles, reflect people's daily anxieties and social realities. You can find collections of them online.
Ostula and Mexican Army Hold to Clashing Versions of Recent Attack
In Mexico, the independent investigation agency SubVersiones has published a compilation video that chronologically shows what events that took place on July 19, 2015, in the indigenous Nahua community of Santa María de Ostula. That day ended...
Destroying a Mountain: Mexican President Orders Expropriation of Native Lands for Freeway Project
A presidential decree was enough to expropriate almost 100 acres of land from the indigenous Otomi community for the construction of a new highway.
For a Glimpse of Plan Central America's Future, Look to Colombia
Replicating Plan Colombia's failed approach, a Washington aid program for Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador combines neoliberal economic reforms with military aid.
Brazilian Music Legends Caetano and Gil Will Perform in Israel Despite Calls to Cancel
Ex-Pink Floyd member Roger Waters and former apartheid campaigner and Nobel Prize winner Desmond Tutu have publicly asked the duo to boycott Israel over its treatment of Palestinians.
Shipibo Stories Pass to the Next Generation—With a Little Help From Digital Media
In the Peruvian Amazon, the Chariboan Joi citizen journalism project has been training young Shipibo to digitally capture traditional stories from their elders to preserve their language and culture.
Nicaragua Mourns Three Family Members Killed by Police in High Speed Pursuit
The death of three family members is the latest tragedy staining Nicaragua's National Police force. The country's outrage might be here to stay.
‘Stereotypes Are Another Unregulated Way to Commit Violence Against Nicaraguan Women’
In an opinion piece published in alternative magazine Conexiones, Katya Najlis explores the ideas that lead to women being harassed on the street in Nicaragua. The essay presents multiple examples and reflections linking the...
The Origins of Anti-Haitian Sentiment in the Dominican Republic
Ruling the Dominican Republic from 1930 until his assassination in 1961, Rafael Trujillo used anti-Haitian ideology to rally Dominicans around his dictatorship.
Latin American Indigenous Communities Compete in the ‘Other’ Copa América
Not everyone was on board with the alternative tournament. "This is an outrageous sham," one group wrote.
Rewriting the History of Plan Colombia
A five-star general's specious narrative about the program’s success ignores the crimes and impunity of the Colombian military, and excuses the U.S. for fostering systemic human rights violations.
Did the Honduras Government Remove Protesters on Hunger Strike to Save Face?
As the government of Honduras welcomed foreign delegates come to help to put an end to local protests, police unexpectedly dispersed a crowd of demonstrators on a hunger strike.
Mexican Army Accused of Shooting Civilians During Operation in Michoacán
Independent media reported that the Mexican Army opened fire against civilians in the indigenous community of Ostula in Michoacán state. One news outlet said a 12-year-old boy was killed.
Pope Francis in Latin America: ‘Ideologies End Badly, They Serve No Purpose’
Pope Francis Lashes out against Ideologies: http://t.co/EiiH1kqntX pic.twitter.com/NzaCiraLbS — El Universo (@eluniversocom) July 11, 2015 Pope Francis concluded his eight day tour of South America, where he held mass in...
The Internet Pokes Fun at Alleged Threats from ‘El Chapo’ against Donald Trump
Social media users lapped up El Chapo's escape and alleged threats against Donald Trump with a series of humorous memes.
Cuba Si, Google No: Cuban Officials Rumored to Reject Google's Free WiFi Offer
In the words of a journalist who has resided in Havana since the early 1990s, "They say that when the donation is too large, even the poor become suspicious."
Humanizing Politics and Building Bridges: Katie Brown's Literature-Based View of Venezuela
A researcher from the United Kingdom talks to Global Voices about Venezuela's contemporary literature and how local fiction helps decipher a country misunderstood by many.
One Puerto Rican Island's 135-Year History of Struggle and Victory
A short documentary by the monthly newspaper Diálogo commemorates the 40 years since the people of Culebra expelled the US Navy and 135 years since the island municipality was founded.
Mexican Newspaper Launches Mayan-Language Edition
Mayan is the second most important indigenous language in Mexico, spoken by about 800,000 people.