Stories about Spanish from August, 2012
Venezuela: Preserving the Oral Traditions of the Plains
The oral traditions of the plains are brilliant protagonists of the culture that has spread to other regions of Venezuela. Many natives of the Venezuelan plains use social networks and other Web 2.0 tools to spread, highlight, and preserve these traditions.
Venezuela: Political Polarization Trumps Amuay Oil Refinery Tragedy
After the Saturday, August 25 explosion at the Amuay oil refinery in the state of Falcón, the political climate in Venezuela became even more tense, which was clearly evident on the web. The tragedy inside the refinery has left at least 48 dead.
Combatting Cocaine Production in Bolivia, Colombia and Peru
Drug production and trafficking is a major issue in Latin America that governments are constantly trying to deal with. However, as the continent leaders gathered last April in Colombia for the Summit of the Americas fully agreed, the so far US-led war on drugs has failed in the Region. Peru, Colombia and Bolivia are the three largest illegal cocaine producing countries in the world. What are these Andean Countries doing to combat illegal drugs?
Bolivia: Radioactive Uranium Seized in La Paz?
'If the mineral found yesterday is #uranio (uranium), the first thing they should have done was verify if it was radioactive instead of calling the press!' Two tons of solid material, presumably uranium or radioactive minerals, were seized by authorities on August 28 in La Paz. The potential radioactivity of the material remains unclear.
Mexico: Egg Price Hike Causes Speculation
The increasing price of eggs, a staple in Mexico, has caused speculation and malpractices, as well as discontent and suspicion among consumers. The price of a kilo of eggs has almost reached the Mexican daily minimum wage ($ 4.6 USD or € 3.66).
Chile: Students March in the Thousands for Education Reform
Thousands of students and teachers marched peacefully on Tuesday, August 28, to demand education reform. This massive march is part of the student movement's ongoing efforts to overhaul the education system in Chile.
Save Syria's Threatened Heritage Sites
Alongside the mounting death toll, a massacre is being perpetrated against Syria's heritage. Little is being said about this issue in both mainstream and social media, writes Thalia Rahme.
Puerto Rico: Dancing through the Lens of Heriberto Castro
Photographer and blogger Heriberto Castro talks about his blog En la punta del pie, a site dedicated to the world of body movement. He hopes to provide a place to collaborate news and photographs about all dance-related activities in Puerto Rico.
Colombian Government Plans Peace Talks with FARC
In the blog Crónicas, Santos García Zapata explains the context [es] around the Presidential decision to start peace talks with guerrilla groups. The Congress’ Peace Commission has declared that President Santos “is not alone” in his determination to reach peace.
Colombia: Former General Santoyo Admits Ties to Paramilitary Group
Retired general Mauricio Santoyo, former chief of security under ex-president Álvaro Uribe, pled guilty to having helped the paramilitary organization United Self-Defense of Colombia (AUC in Spanish). His confession has created a political scandal in Colombia.
Venezuela: Chaos in Amuay After Oil Refinery Explosion
'The action radius for the propane spheres explosion is devastating. The entrance to Judibana and everything surrounding it is destroyed.' A gas tank explosion in Judibana, Falcón state, has left at least 24 dead and 86 injured. The reasons behind this accident are still unclear.
Venezuela: 19 Killed in Blast at Amuay Oil Refinery
An explosion in the Amuay oil refinery, one of the largest in the world, has left at least 19 dead and 53 injured, according to the latest reports [es] from the Governor of the state of Falcón. Follow reactions and reports through the hashtag #Amuay on Twitter.
Ecuador on Alert Over Spewing Tungurahua Volcano
The Tungurahua volcano has been spewing pyroclastic material and ash throughout this month, affecting thousands of families, crops, and animals. Scientists and citizens use Twitter and Facebook to inform about the Tungurahua's activity.
Puerto Rico: Film “Under My Nails” Wins Award
The film “Under My Nails” directed by the Puerto Rican Arí Maniel Cruz, and starred by Kishina Tikina Burgos (Puerto Rico) and Iván Camilo (Dominican Republic), received the best film award [es] at the International Latino Film Festival of New York.
Puerto Rico: Beautiful Music by “Los Cerezos”
The alternative music blog Puerto Rico Indie has a post on the band from Puerto Rico, Los Cerezos, who have just launched their first EP titled “Dejad que los hipsters vengan a mi” [Let the Hipsters Come To Me]: With a very genuine musical proposal, without pretensions or weaknesses, Los...
Colombia: President and Indigenous Leaders Meet to Discuss Cauca Conflict
President Juan Manuel Santos met with the indigenous people of the Cauca to hear their grievances and to talk about the ongoing conflict in this department. Thousands of indigenous people came from several regions of the country with the intention of speaking with the President and to push an initiative of peace. The meeting ended without having reached substantial agreements.
Peru: Syllogisms, Questions and Famous Quotes
Peruvian blogger Cyrano, from Columna 17 [es], raises some interesting questions and phrases, such as “an earthquake comes when the Earth trembles with fear”, or “What if I wage it all on poker?”, allegedly by Scrooge McDuck.
Argentina: Blogging in Welsh from Patagonia
The Argentine Patagonia was the first home of the Welsh migration that arrived in 1865 on the Mimosa steamboat. People from Wales and their descendants living in Argentina keep their culture and language alive through blogs and social networks.
Costa Rica: “Was it My Fault I Was Raped, Because I Went Out at Night?”
With strength and courage, blogger SophiadelSol has written about her recent carjacking, abduction and rape as she was out at night with her boyfriend. In a society that blames victims for exposing themselves to danger, she has bravely stood up for victims and places the blame on the society that allows these things to happen.
Argentina: “I'm an Organ Donor and I Tell the World”
By donating a kidney to her goddaughter, singer Sandra Mihanovich has created awareness in Argentina about the importance of organ donation. Her example joins the campaign #SoyDonante ("I'm a donor") on Twitter and the video "I'm a donor and I tell the world" on YouTube.
