Stories about Latin America from November, 2012
Ecuadorian Blogger Paúl Moreno Detained
Ecuadorian blogger Paúl Moreno (@paulcoyote) [es] was detained [es] on charges of fraudulent access to computer systems and databases, after publishing a post [es] where he explains how he accessed...
Peruvian Junior Volleyball Team Wins South American Cup
On Monday November 26, 2012, the Peruvian junior volleyball team won the South American Female Volleyball Championship. This is a historic result, after 32 years without getting any titles in that sports category. Bloggers have joined the celebration, and Twitter is buzzing with comments with the hashtag #matadorcitas (the team's nickname).
Why Have Honduras Expats Stopped Blogging?
Laurie Matherne from Honduras Gumbo shares three theories about why expatriates in Honduras have stopped blogging: it's too dangerous, the economic crisis has forced many to leave, and those who...
Developing Latin America Hackathon Draws Near!
We are only 2 days short of commencing the regional hackathon Developing Latin America 2012. Anca Matioc, who is in charge of organising the event, spoke with us about the preparations. She also answered some questions relating to the development of a hackathon like Developing Latin America.
2013 Dakar Rally Will Visit Peru, Argentina, and Chile
For five consecutive years, the Dakar organization has chosen South American territory for its annual off-road competition. The 2003 route will cross three countries: Peru, Argentina, and Chile.
Worldwide Protests for Brazil's Indigenous Guarani-Kaiowá
Threatened with expulsion from their land, with their waters poisoned, and ready to resist to the death, the Guarani-Kaiowá indigenous community of Pyelito Kue / Mbarakay, in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul, finds on social media and on the streets worldwide support from activists.
Candidates Gear up for Ecuador's 2013 Presidential Election
While the reelection of [President] Rafael Correa may seem to be a foregone conclusion, the eight candidates competing for the office point to the ongoing fragmented and volatile nature of...
Ecuador Commemorates the International Day Against Gender Violence
Ecuador commemorated the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women with multiple cultural events. Ecuadorian netizens also reflected on the reality that many women live through in the country.
“8 out of 10 Earthquakes Prefer Chile”
Whenever I feel a quake in Chile, one of the first things I do is go on twitter … mainly to laugh. Yes, that is how used to them we...
Indigenous Organization Denounces Brazil at the UN
The Articulation of Indigenous Peoples of Brazil (APIB) denounces [pt] human rights abuses against the indigenous populations in an open-letter [pt] to the United Nations. Among several issues, APIB calls...
Brazil to Portugal and Back Again: Interview With Izabel Pimentel
Léa Promaja, the alias of an independent journalist working in the Balkans, posted an audio interview [in Portuguese, with English and French subtitles] with Izabel Pimentel, “the first Brazilian woman...
Brazil: More Dialogue Needed to Solve the Conflict of the Guarani-Kaiowá
The Youtube account A Luta Guarani released a video interview [pt] with the Guarani-Kaiowá anthropologist Tonico Benites. He comments on the attacks by farmers of the state of Mato Grosso do...
The Voices of Sex Workers in El Salvador
Sex workers in the city of San Salvador face ongoing discrimination, as well as potential health hazards from HIV and STDs. Others search for alternative forms of income, such as...
Crowdmapping Water Contamination in Peruvian Indigenous Communities
How can individuals hold the extractive industries accountable for the impacts – poisoned water, food, and heightened conflict are a few examples – of its activities? One project, called La Cuidadora, provides an information sharing network to assist indigenous communities in better protecting themselves from these impacts.
Afro-Brazilian Women, Tight Curly Hair and Black Consciousness
On November 20, Brazil celebrated Black Awareness Day; in honor of the day, we invite you to watch the documentary Raíz Forte (Strong Roots), "start a discussion about hair in terms of belonging to and explaining our African ancestry." The film depicts social prejudices and how black women in Brazil have historically dealt with their hair.
Hackathons in Droves: How is a Hackathon Organised?
In the following guest article, J.J. Merelo, Doctor in Physics and Professor at the University of Granada, Spain, tells us of his experience organising educational hackathons in light of the regional Hackathon, "Developing Latin America 2012 "which will take place next December.
Honduras’ Presidential Candidates for 2013
On Sunday, November 18, 2012, three Honduran political parties (Liberal, National, and Libre) chose their presidential candidates for next year's election. Blogger David Moran from El Catracho [es] writes about...
Mapa76: Database Journalism Reveals Abuses of the Argentine Dictatorship
Paula Gonzalo of Periodismo Ciudadano (Citizen Journalism) highlights the work of Sandra Crucianelli in the field of database journalism and the Mapa76 project, a map that compiles information about the victims of human rights abuses during the dictatorship in Argentina (1976-83).
Brazil: Northeastern audience moved by musical biopic
After much anticipation, Brazilian film “Gonzaga: De Pai Para Filho” about legendary musician Luiz Gonzaga has been moving audiences, and nowhere more than in the country's northeast where forró music...
Brazilian Guarani Community Denounces ‘Poisoned’ River
A video showing the contamination of the Ypo'i river, near the settlement of an indigenous Guarani community, in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil, has been circulating on...