Americas

Venezuela: Yukpa Indians, Chávez and land disputes

Flag by Guillermo EstevesCitizen media videos have been uploaded informing of the situation arising in Venezuela between the Yukpa Indians of the Perijá Mountains, landowners and President Chávez. This dispute over land limits is 30 years in the making, when military forces displaced the Indigenous communities of the Yukpa by force and established landowners who have cattle ranches and have been working the lands ever since.

Source: Global Voices Online

Guatemala: Protection of La Danta

One of the largest pyramids in the world by volume, Danta, is located in Guatemala in one of the few Biosphere Reserves of the Planet. However, wildfires and a lack of community involvement are requiring urgent actions in the area. In addition, overdevelopment, rudimentary slash and burn agricultural practices, archaeological looting, and deforestation are risking the country's valuable cultural heritage.

Source: Global Voices Online

Peru: Work on Lima Streets Taking Too Long

Luis Ramos of Vivir Lima [es] complains about the time that it is taking for the work on some Lima streets. He also republishes the results from a recent survey where “Limeños” don't believe the work will be finished in time for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in November.

Source: Global Voices Online

Peru: Blogger Inducted to Academy of Spanish Language

Daniel Salas from Gran Combo Club [es] salutes the induction of Camilo Fernádez Cozman to the Peruvian Academy of Spanish language. Camilo, besides an academist is also a blogger. His induction speech can be read at his blog La Soledad de la Página en Blanco [es].

Source: Global Voices Online

Poland: Reactions to the Russian-Georgian Conflict

The beatroot writes that “Poland - in the shape of its government and particularly its president, Lech Kaczynski - has been using the conflict between Moscow and Tbilisi to nail their colours to the mast of “protecting freedom and democracy” of the brave young George against the might of an imperialistic old dragon in the Kremlin.”

Source: Global Voices Online

Blogger of the Week: Janine Mendes-Franco

Today's installment of the Blogger of the Week series takes us to the beautiful island of Trinidad and Tobago, home to Global Voices regional editor for the Caribbean Janine Mendes-Franco.

Source: Global Voices Online

El Salvador: The Strategy of Fear in the Presidential Elections

Hunnapuh [es] compares the current FMLN candidate for the Salvadoran presidency, Mauricio Funes, with the late Shafick Handall and how the rival party used the strategy of fear to defeat the candidate and would seek to do the same with Funes.

Source: Global Voices Online

Venezuela: Antonio Lauro and His Classical Guitar

Antonio LauroOn the 91st anniversary of his birth, Antonio Lauro is remembered as one of the most representative ways that culture can become part of one's identity. A very talented composer born in Ciudad Bolívar, Venezuela, Lauro composed waltzes and other pieces for guitar. These pieces are often played by a lot of famous national and international guitarrists.

Source: Global Voices Online

Dominican Republic: Gold Medal in Boxing

Duarte 101 [es] celebrates the gold medal of Félix Díaz for his win in the Olympics. It was the first time since 1984 that a boxer from the Dominican Republic brought home a gold medal.

Source: Global Voices Online

Brazil: Micro stories contest via Twitter

140letras is the first micro stories contest in Brazil, held through Twitter. Entry is now closed and we can track the competitors' stories. The winner will be announced on September 30″, Luciana Mielniczuk [pt] reports.

Source: Global Voices Online

Peru: Government Attempts to Halt Protests in the North

The news media has started to provide more coverage of the protests taking place in Northern Peru. The newspaper La República writes that the commission headed up by Environmental Minister Antonio Brack did not accomplish much. More and more indigenous groups are joining the cause and guarding important state petroleum and hydroelectric companies.

Source: Global Voices Online