Stories about Latin America from February, 2016
Colombia Edges Closer to Signing Peace Agreement
The final and hopefully definitive phase of a peace process is underway and the Colombian government is preparing for post-conflict reconciliation with its new plan “Peace for Colombia.”
Sexual Violence a Crime Against Humanity, Guatemalan Court Rules in Historic Verdict
In a historic ruling, a Guatemala court sentences former military men for murder, rape and enslavement of indigenous women, categorizing the offenses as crimes against humanity.
‘Little Teresa’ Helps São Paulo Women Fight Drought and Male Domination—With Rain Barrels
Brazil's largest city is coming out of a drought, but its impact wasn't all bad. One woman saw it as an opportunity to empower women and bring her community together.
Efforts Continue to Free Indigenous Activist and Ex-Director of Community Police in Mexico
Thirty months after Nestora Salgado's arrest, efforts to free her continue. The charges against her haven't been dropped even though international bodies have recognized her detention is illegal and arbitrary.
Want to Arouse a Peruvian's Passions? Just Talk about Terrorism—or Food
"The only other matter that reliably inflames the passions of Peruvians are the attempts by our southern neighbors to claim the Pisco Sour or the Suspiro Limeño as their own."
Bolivians Use Social Media to Expose Electoral Fraud in President Morales’ Referendum
"None of this is new. But this time, it shows the power of social media, and that now we are able to impact a campaign with the truth."
Residents of the Peruvian Amazon Denounce Oil Spills Contaminating Local Rivers
"Incredible! Petroperú contaminates rivers in the Amazon and the 59 million sol fine will be paid by all of us Peruvians"
Love in the Time of Zika
An interview with Salvadoran reproductive rights activist Sara García. In El Salvador, abortion is defined by law as a criminal act, without exception.
Anabel Flores Becomes Yet Another Journalist From Mexico’s Veracruz to Be Killed
The murder of Anabel Flores adds to the distressing statistics which prove that Mexico is the most dangerous country in Latin America to practice journalism.
An Alleged Male Prostitution Ring Ignites Debate About Privacy and Journalism Ethics in Colombia
"By publishing the video of the ex-deputy minister, you have made yourself I would argue an example of what future journalists should NOT do."
Brazilian Activist Flooded With Death Threats After Newspaper Runs Phony Interview
The well-known Brazilian journalist, teacher, and human rights activist Leonardo Sakamoto says he started receiving death threats after a small newspaper published a fake interview with him earlier this month.
How Lima Lost the Booksellers of Quilca Street
The many booksellers that occupied the busy Quilca street have been evicted and uncertainty looms over the future of not only the traders but also the greater area.
Colombia Introduces Harsher Prison Sentences for Acid Attacks
Every year, an average of 100 people suffer an acid attack in Colombia, where recently a law was passed to tough sentences and take judicial benefits away from the perpetrators.
Welcome to Manchay, the Neighbourhood in Lima Resisting the Arrival of Public Transport
What is it about life in Manchay that makes the residents protest so energetically against a fare rise that would to others seem negligible?
Venezuela's President Finally Discovers Facebook, a Decade After the Social Network's Arrival
"I refuse to be a hypocrite or a brown-noser, you know that the country is in a bad way, due to your and your cabinet's ineptitude."
Violence Claims 49 Lives in an Overcrowded, Underguarded Mexican Prison
Forty percent over capacity, short on guards and supplies, and awash in violence. This is life in many of Mexico's prisons.
When They Lock Up the Truth: Khadija Ismayilova and the Latin America Connection
Journalist Khadija Ismayilova's sentencing to seven-and-a-half years in prison in Azerbaijan has enraged rights activists all over the world, including in Latin America.
Mexicans Unanimously Welcomed Pope Francis This Weekend. Or Did They?
Millions of Mexicans were anxious to catch a glimpse of Pope Francis this weekend, during the pontiff's long-awaited visit. Not everyone is rolling out the red carpet, however.
How More and More Schools in Brazil Are Teaching Kids to Eat Their Vegetables
Hundreds of public schools in Brazil have gardens where kids grow their own vegetables. And the schools say it's changing the way kids think about the food they eat.
This Valentine's Day, a Crash Course in Thinking Critically About Love
Could Valentine's Day be a good date to think critically about love and its relationship with politics, social conventions, or even violence against women?
The Daughters of Violence Fight Back Against Street Harassment in Mexico with Art
Three Mexican girls are fighting back against street sexual harassment that victimises women, with wit and punk rock.
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