Stories about Spanish from May, 2010
Peru: The Return of the Indigenous Leader Alberto Pizango
After more than 11 months in exile in Nicaragua following the events and conflicts in the region of Bagua, indigenous leader Alberto Pizango returned to Peru on May 26, sparking different responses from Twitter users and bloggers supporting or criticizing him.
Guatemala: State of Emergency Due to Tropical Storm Agatha
Guatemala is in a state of emergency. In addition to the active Pacaya volcano that has caused evacuations and damages, Tropical Storm Agatha has hit the country, causing many disappearances and deaths in the poorest regions.
Mexico: Community Journalism in the Gulf of California
A community journalism project called Su Mar (Your Ocean) aims to give citizens the tools to report on conservation and environmental development issues in the Gulf of California region in Mexico.
Colombia: Tweeting the May 30 Presidential Elections
Twitter activity about the May 30 Colombian Presidential elections is at an all-time high. Topics include the missteps by some of the candidates, their performance in the debates, as well as the chances of minor candidates.
Mexico: 165 Mexicans Die Each Day Due to Smoking
The blog Vivir México [es] notes that 165 Mexicans die each day due to smoking-related illnesses and reflects on that statistic as the World Day Without Tobacco is upcoming on May 31.
Guatemala: Cleaning Up the Ash from Pacaya Volcano
Gustavo Reyes posts this Twitpic of workers cleaning the ash from the Pacaya volcano eruption in Guatemala.
Guatemala: Pacaya Volcano Causes State of National Calamity
Regions in Guatemala have been declared by President Colom in "state of calamity" after the Pacaya volcano increased its activity: the airport is closed, villages have been evacuated, people are missing and injured and one camera man is dead.
Peru: Bribes, Cops and Video
The following video published by inkawalk shows a pair of policemen apparently receiving a bribe in an undisclosed location in Peru.
Colombia: Presidential Election and Campaigning in Citizen Media
The Colombian Presidential election is scheduled for May 30, in which Juan Manuel Santos and Antanas Mockus are considered the frontrunners. The contest is actively being discussed in citizen media by supporters, opponents, and those indifferent of the candidates.
Peru: Film “Octubre” Wins at Cannes Film Festival
Following the success of the Peruvian film “La Teta Asustada,” another film called “Octubre” won a Jury Prize at the Cannes Film Festival notes the blog Marcamasi [es].
Chile: Suggestions from Tourists
In the city of Arica, Chile, blogger Tomás Bradanovic says “we should listen to the tourist [es],” because he has been receiving emails from tourists visiting and who have plenty of suggestions on how to improve visitor services, including providing vegetarian options, improved web presence for the hotels in the...
Bolivia: Autonomy Transition
Miguel Centellas of the blog Pronto* writes about some of the issues behind the transition to departmental autonomies and the conflict that some of the new governors are having with the central government.
Costa Rica: Salary Increase for Congressional Deputies
Dean Córnito in his blog Switzerland in Central America [es] does not, like many other Costa Ricans, expresses his outrage for the 100% salary increase for incoming Congressional deputies. Instead, he tells his readers why they should vote for him during the next elections so that he, too, can have...
Peru: Schoolgirl Questions US First Lady About Immigration Reform
During a recent visit to a Maryland school, US First Lady Michelle Obama received a question from a schoolgirl of Peruvian descent, who asked why people without immigration papers were being taken away and who disclosed information about the status of her parents.
Argentina: Celebrating the Bicentennial on the Web
Argentina has been celebrating 200th anniversary of the beginning of the process of independence from Spain. A group of local bloggers have created a site called Your Bicentennial that will provide realtime coverage of the festivities.
Spain: Humorous Video Warning for TV Series LOST's last Episode
This fan made video (in Spanish with English subtitles) reflects the worry many fans of the TV Series LOST have: that after 6 seasons, the series finale airing tonight in many parts of the world, will disappoint.
Peru: The Preference for Afro-Peruvians at Funeral Services
The funeral industry in Peru appears to be cornered by Afro-Peruvians, where clients specifically request and prefer their services. Many are wondering whether this might be reverse-discrimination against other ethnicities.
Latin America: Internet Day Festivities Across Region
Internet Day is an event that started in Spain in 2005 and has been spreading throughout the world thanks to the United Nations, which designated May 17 as the World Information Society Day. This year, in many countries across Latin American, there were events that were promoted and organized through blogs and Twitter.
Uruguay: Silent March Remembering Disappeared Detainees
This year marked the 15th silent march that takes place every May 20 in remembrance of those detained and disappeared during the military dictatorship of Uruguay.
Cuba: Monitoring Arrests
Ever since the February, 2010 death of Orlando Zapato Tamayo, the first Cuban hunger striker to perish in 40 years, the situation in the island appears to have become even more tense.
Puerto Rico: Violent Confrontation With Demonstrators
Last night, as the governor of Puerto Rico Luis Fortuño held a political fundraiser at the Sheraton Hotel in San Juan, students and supporters clashed with special police forces who arrived to quash a demonstration in the lobby.
