Chile: Artist destroys student debt
The story is so absurd it is hard to believe. Two weeks ago, the 31-year-old visual artist Francisco Tapia known as Papas Fritas (Fried Potatoes) stole and set fire to…
May 2014
Argentina: Two Folk Saints
Popular beliefs; myths; legends; folklore; gauchito gil; difunta correa; death; corrientes; san juan; local heroes; miracles Myths and legends are an anchor to the past: they’re a national narrative…
Punching Your PhD: Literary Feuds in Latin America
There’s nothing better than writing, you get to be horrible. Not to glorify nasty people, but here are the three best feuds in Latin American lit. Think of it like…
50 Years of Armed Conflict in Colombia
“The atmosphere is tense and a revolution may be brewing”. From 1952, this was ‘Che’ Guevara’s reflection on Colombia, as recorded in his Motorcycle Diaries. At that time, rural areas…
Colombia: 32 children die in bus fire in Magdalena
32 children die in bus fire in Magdalena; Ideam reports 70% chance of El Niño phenomenon in coming months 32 children die in bus fire in Magdalena On 18 May…
China/Latin America: Peru-China trade up 20% since 2009
Peru-China trade up 20% since 2009; Brazil seeks Chinese investment for railways; Chile’s stock market surges amid optimism about Chinese demand
Brazil: The cost of tourism on the Northeast
Reflections on Resorts and the environment of the Northeast of Brazil The Northeast of Brazil is one of the five regions of the country. It has 1.558.196 km², being bigger…
Arts: UNESCO organizes Mafalda exhibition to celebrate World Book Day
UNESCO organizes Mafalda exhibition to celebrate World Book Day; Festival of animated films takes place in Chile UNESCO organizes Mafalda exhibition to celebrate World Book Day UNESCO organized an exhibition featuring…
Political polarisation in Colombia
Political polarisation is coming to Colombia. In fact, it is already there. For years a major problem affecting the quality of Colombia’s democracy has been the lack of political opposition….
Ecuador: Wálquer Vera, Muisne Mayor, found murdered
Mayor of Muisne Wálquer Vera murdered; Sarayaku to have UCP; two Cuenca councillors dismissed Murder of Muisne mayor 3 days after election The mayor of Muisne, Wálquer Vera, member of the…
Mexico: Prehistoric skeleton discovered in Mexican cave
Prehistoric skeleton discovered in Mexican cave; education reform progress; International Day Against Homophobia Mexico: Prehistoric skeleton discovered in Mexican cave A human skeleton aged between 12000-13000 years old has been…
Brazil: A summer playlist
As the weather gets warmer, I prepare for summer by curating a playlist This is a selection of my ten favourite Brazilian musicians for summer 2014 (in no particular order):…
The Amazon: Sponsoring an Acre
The Amazon: Sponsoring an Acre “No,” she said. “I won’t allow it.” We were coming down the river and the motor was failing. A heron fished in the roots to…
Chile: Students march, children fight
Violence followed a peaceful march by students on May 8, 2014 in Concepción, Chile. Thursday May 8 saw the first nationally-organised direct action by Chilean students for free and higher-quality…
Guatemala: President Molina addresses drug policy on TV
President Molina addresses drug policy on TV; Study places Guatemala among the countries with highest homicide rate; Gangs are increasingly recruiting young girls President Molina addresses drug policy on TV…
Colombia: Hacker arrested for infiltrating peace talks
Hacker arrested for infiltrating peace talks; Oil refinery approved for Meta; Plane crash in Santander leaves two dead Hacker arrested for infiltrating peace talks A man was arrested 6 May…
Chile: UDI Party chooses new president
UDI Party chooses new president; Bachelet’s negatives on the rise; Piñera’s health reform legacy in dispute
Venezuela: Maduro announces 30% minimum wage increase
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro raises the minimum wage in an attempt to relieve pressure on citizens from the soaring cost of living – as inflation threatens to reach 60%. Venezuela: Maduro…
Chile: Labor movement marks May Day with Santiago march
Labor movement marks May Day with Santiago march; Bachelet moves to improve Chile’s air quality; Media battle over tax reform heats up
Ecuador: World Press Freedom Day
Journalists celebrate World Press Freedom Day for first time; Calle 13 group join campaign against Chevron; President orders US military personnel to leave World Press Freedom Day Ecuadorian journalists celebrated…
Mexico: Cinco de Mayo - a day to celebrate?
Every year, millions of people all over the world take part in celebrating the Hispanic culture’s largest event - Cinco de Mayo (Fifth of May). What most people fail to…
Colombia: Illegal gold mine collapses in Valle del Cauca
Illegal gold mine collapses in Valle del Cauca; Fare skipping causes problems on Bogota’s buses; Dignidad Agropecuaria calls national agricultural strike Illegal gold mine collapses in Valle del Cauca 12…
El Salvador: President-elect promises robust economic growth
President-elect promises robust economic growth; Vice-President-elect vows to reinforce security; Sánchez Cerén conditions wage increases on economic growth President-elect promises robust economic growth Salvador Sánchez Cerén, who will be sworn…
Latin America: Papal politics
Latin Americans celebrate the historic canonisation of two popes; as the spiritual influence of the Church declines, it emerges as a political force Last Sunday, thousands celebrated the canonisation of…
Arts: ‘Pangaea’ at the Saatchi
Rafael Gómezbarros: ‘Casa Tomada’ (2013) A month after the show opened, I finally made it to see the Pangaea exhibition at the Saatchi Galley in Chelsea, London. Named after the…