Stories about Latin America from August, 2009
USA, Mexico: Astronaut José Hernández Twittering from Space
Mexican-American Astronaut José Hernández is currently orbiting the Earth as part of a Space Shuttle mission to the International Space Station, and he is twittering while he is on the mission.
Bolivia: MAS Strategy in Next General Elections
Miguel Buitrago of MABB [es] runs down the strategy of Evo Morales’ MAS party in the upcoming general elections.
Paraguay: Pessimism in the Region
Paraguayans are the most pessimistic in the entire region writes Carlos Rodríguez of Rescatar [es] commenting on a recent study.
Peru: Alberto Pizango Wanted by Interpol
Peruvian indigenous leader, Alberto Pizango, is accused by the government as an instigator of violence for the events in Bagua, and is now wanted by Interpol according to J. Francisco Canaza of Apuntes Peruanos [es].
Chile: The Chile + Cultura Festival 2009
The Chile + Cultura 2009 Festival is set for September 6 in Curicó, which will feature free regional and national musical acts writes Manuel Herrera Díaz of Maulee.cl [es]
Costa Rica: The Passing of Felipe Granados
Costa Rican writer Felipe Granados recently passed away at the age of 33. Fusil de Chispas [es] is saddened by the loss of the author, who penned such books as Soundtrack.
Chile: Technology Platform of Candidate Sebastian Piñera
Luis Ramirez writes about the technology platform of Chilean Presidential candidate Sebastian Piñera [es] and notes that his proposals include funding for a computer and broadband internet in every household.
Costa Rica: Manuel Mora Valverde Founder of Communist Party
Marco of ¡Que Clío nos guarde! [es] commemorates the 100 year anniversary of the birth of Manuel Mora Valverde, who was the founder and leader of the Communist Party in Costa Rica.
Ecuador: All Aboard the Trolley Bus
The trolley bus system in Quito, Ecuador has been helping to alleviate traffic congestion. A recent experiment invited the city's twitterers to submit live news about riding on this form of public transportation.
Colombia: Another Massacre of the Awá Indigenous Community
Plan Colombia and Beyond writes about the report from the National Organization of Indigenous People about another massacre of members of the Awá indigenous community by an unidentified armed group in the department of Nariño.
Puerto Rico: “Such is Life”
The executive director of the government project Portal del Futuro defended the construction of a luxury mega-resort by telling residents of neighboring communities that they would not have access to this kind of project because "such is life." Puerto Rican bloggers respond to his remarks.
Brazil: Outrage at violent São Paulo eviction
On Monday, 240 police went to evict 800 families from the Olga Benário squatter settlement in São Paulo. Bloggers and photojournalists report on the violence, despair and lack of social justice.
Ecuador: The National Festival of Music
José Elias introduces his readers to the XXII National Festival of Ecuadorian Music, which recently took place in a rural parish of San Lorenzo of Manta [es], where artists and children from parishes all across the country come to sing for a national and international audience.
Argentina: The Passing of a Fellow Twitterer
In Argentina, Marcelo Klein mourns the passing [es] of fellow twitterer and blogger Guillermo Lutzky [es] @glutzky, who was also his former teacher and basketball coach.
Ecuador: The Frustrations of Being a Writer
Being a writer in Ecuador can be frustrating. Whether it is the lack of books available or how politicians use cultural events to spread their message, many authors just want their work to reach their readers.
Brazil: Photos of an outrageous squatter settlement eviction
Freelance photographer Anderson Barbosa took chilling photos of the eviction of 800 families from the Olga Benário squatter settlement in São Paulo after a court order. The property had been occupied for two years by hundreds of families who watched their houses burn and be demolished last Monday.
Bolivia: Participation at BlogHer Conference
Cristina Quisbert takes a look back at her participation at the BlogHer Conference in Chicago, as a representative from Bolivia.
Guatemala: New BarCamps Planned
Gustavo Reyes of Interactiva Web [es] announces the launch of EduCamp in Guatemala, which is targeted for teachers, as well as the first regional BarCamp in Esquipulas.
Brazil: Students arrested for demonstrating in the Senate
Students were held for demonstrating against the Senate's President José Sarney and suffered many threats. We hear the blogosphere's thoughts on Brazilian democracy being slowly done away with.
Uruguay: Independence Day
August 25 is Uruguayan Independence Day and Mariolo of 1 x Día [es] celebrates with nostalgia.
Uruguay: The Passing of Canario Luna
Enrique Place writes about the recent passing of Uruguayan singer Washington “Canario” Luna [es].
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