Global Voices Online

Titlayo celebrates the success of young Barbadian hip-hop star, Rihanna.

Simone Champagnie reports that, in light of the implementation of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative on January 1, 2007, the Caribbean is “looking at implementing a program by which the destinations will offer to reimburse Americans visiting them for the cost of the passports required to reenter the US.”

A new pair of glasses highlights the interesting domestic dynamic of an Amerindian couple, as witnessed by Guyana-Gyal.

Scratchie is displeased with the way the US Embassy in Kingston treats those awaiting appointments, but acknowledges “the roaring business opportunities that have been created surrounding the rules that one must abide with when visiting the Embassy. There are cellphone holders and baggage handlers and. . .”

“I would write a reggae novel, and I would call it, Benjamin, My Son,” writes Geoffrey Philp in his two-part account of the genesis of his first novel.

Tim Muth has reposted an interesting list of quotes from slain Salvadoran archbishop, Oscar Romero.

How Many US Citizen Expats are Living in Costa Rica? If you follow the Costa Rican blogosphere, you might assume millions. But the real statistic and its implications are surprising.

Luís Afonso Assumpção calls Google News' exclusion of the conservative, Brazilian news site Mídia Sem Máscara “a political measure of censorship.”

Are there penalty kicks in presidential elections? Perhaps there should be. With 100% of the ballots counted Felipe Calderon was declared victor by half of a percentage point. Randy Paul, in a comment, observes that Mexico is one of the few Latin American countries which does not require a 50% majority to avoid a runoff election. Publius Pundit is ecstatic and has a typically thorough review of English-language reactions. But don't think it's over yet - as Ana Maria Salazar and Mexico Votes 2006 both make clear, this presidential contest is headed to the courts. In fact, Salazar goes so far to write, “Mark my words.. We will not know who the new President is until August, possibly September. For now, there is a legal battle ahead and a media battle.”