Stories about Latin America from August, 2015
Why Indigenous Communities in Mexico Need Community Self-Defence
"Today, the community suffers not only at the hands of criminal groups but also at those of the Federal Police and the Army of Mexico."
Urban Planning Project Puts One of the World's Most Populated Cities to the Test
"Resident participation on projects like the [Cultural Corridor Chapultepec] must occur from the design stage and not once everything has already been decided. This is a sham."
Puerto Rico Organizes From the Bottom Up in the Face of Economic Crisis
Various civil society groups have started to come together to find solutions to the severe socioeconomic crisis that the Caribbean nation faces.
A Week Before a Huge Vote, Demonstrators Fill Guatemala's Streets, Calling For President to Step Down
University students, peasants, families, indigenous groups, artists, cities, towns, hospitals, and more are rapidly joining calls for President Otto Pérez Molina to step down.
Uncovering Attempts to Hide Oil's Footprints in Peru
This is the first part of an investigation by Convoca based on more than 1,000 environmental monitoring reports of hydrocarbons and electricity that were archived by three governments in Peru.
Brazilian Police Are Preventing Poor Black Teens From Visiting Rio's Upscale Beaches
"They think we're thieves because we're black," a 15-year-old told a reporter.
Argentina Has Had Decades of Democracy, So Why Do the Disappearances Continue?
Despite 32 years of democracy, thousands of people—particularly women and young girls—are still unaccounted for in Argentina. And more keep disappearing.
The Happiest Countries in the World Are All in Latin America
The happiest (and least happy) countries in the world, ranked http://t.co/4EccwDNBp7 — Quartz (@qz) August 27, 2015 Gallup interviewed 150,000 adults in 148 countries, asking such questions as, “Did you smile or laugh yesterday?” and “Did you learn or do something interesting yesterday?” to build a positive-experience index. Surprisingly, the leading countries...
It's About Time to End Female Genital Mutilation in the Only Latin American Country Where It Still Exists
Female genital mutilation is a practice usually associated with African countries, but in some indigenous communities in Colombia it's still being practiced.
Uruguay, Chile and Brazil Lead South America in Download Speeds
Uruguay had the best ranking in the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean's report, while Bolivia, Paraguay, and Venezuela came in last.
You Can Also Demand Justice for the Journalists Killed in Mexico
Writers around the world ask President Peña Nieto of Mexico to probe journalist murders. (Here's their letter) https://t.co/qAkZI5K2MR — Susana Hayward (@mediasayer) August 16, 2015 More than 500 journalists, writers, artists and defenders for freedom of expression from around the world wrote an open letter to the president of Mexico, Enrique Peña Nieto, in which they...
Dismissal of Mexico Coach Sparks Debate Over Freedom of Speech
A dispute between a Mexican football coach and a sports reporter who criticized him has resulted in physical assault and sparked a debate about the freedom of speech.
Ecuador Cancels Visa for a Franco-Brazilian Journalist Assaulted During Protest
"Hostility to journalists, the media and activists has increased in Ecuador, and attacks on freedom of expression are becoming more frequent."
Want to See the First Free African Town in the Americas? Go to Mexico
Afro-Mexicans proudly share the story of “El Yanga,” apparently an enslaved prince from the Yang-Bara tribe from Gabon, who helped slaves to be free from the Spanish around 1570.
Afro-Latin American Women Use Social Networks to Commemorate Over a Decade of Struggle
"The situation of women of African descent is a unique one: because of their gender they find themselves even more vulnerable and susceptible to exclusion."
Argentinians Keep the Memory of Dictatorship Victims Alive on the Web
For almost 40 years, Argentinian human rights movements have fought to preserve the memory of their disappeared loved ones, a struggle that has adapted for the Web 2.0 era.
In Venezuela, Even the Police March Against Insecurity
Violence in Venezuela has shown no mercy. Not even with law officers, who protested in Caracas despite prohibition from authorities and silence from the media.
Puerto Rico Celebrates the First Same-Sex Weddings—And It's About Time
After many years of hardships and struggle, same-sex couples in Puerto Rico can now formalize their commitment to each other.
A Trailblazing Media Outlet Fact-Checked the Peruvian President's National Address
Were the president's claims about his government's investment in education true? False? Misleading? Ojo-Público had the answer in real-time.
Meet Venezuela's Orthodox Priest Who Rocks in His Robes
Father Elias is not your typical rock star, playing in a priest's robe. He's not what many expect a priest to be like, either.
Raising Flags and Hopes
"We are witnessing a new era in Cuba. . . for the first time in my life there isn’t a specific enemy we're expected to fight at all costs."
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