Flesh Beck Brazil

Flesh Beck began as a graffiti crew, and has grown and expanded to illustrations and graphic design.

While scouring the internet looking for something to post this week, I found the website of what looks like a "crew" of artists from Brazil. They host a blog and have a portfolio full of work that they have done, most of which seems to center around Rio de Janeiro. "Flesh Beck," as they call themselves, have even done an illustration for the packaging of a Brazilian Nestle product. The website is in Portuguese, but the translated site can be found here.

Tulane, the Stone Center, Service-Learning, and the Latino Community

If you want to find out what some faculty and students are doing to serve the Latino Community of New Orleans and to learn radio production skills in the meanwhile, check out this story. I have to say that I'm very proud to work for the Stone Center for Latin American Studies at Tulane, a center which encourages and supports such wonderful and creative research and outreach programs like the one featured in the article.

Cuban Arts Coming to New York

From the The New York Times, a story on the coming of a Cuban Arts Festival to New York.

President Obama to Visit South and Central America

President Obama has made plans to visit Brazil, Chile and El Salvador next month to discuss security and strengthen economic ties in the region. This is a modern day example of U.S involvement and exchange in Latin America.

The FARC continues in Colombia

It amazes me that the FARC is still around in Colombia... I know we have discussed America intervening in Latin America, but shouldn't someone do something about the FARC? Here is an article about politician Marcos Baquero being released from the FARC after over a year of captivity.

"La vida es un carnaval" - Celia Cruz

Celia Cruz is a Cuban singer who became known as the "Queen of Salsa" all over the world. If she hadn't pursued a career in music, she would have trained to be a Spanish teacher. In 1959, when Fidel Castro took control of Cuba, Celia and her husband left the country and later gained citizenship in the United States. Cruz died in 2003 but her legacy lives on. Feel free to listen to my favorite song by her, "La vida es un carnaval." Click the link and check it out!

FARC releases 1 hostage, to release 4 more soon

FARC, the Colombian rebel group, has released politician Marcos Baquero after kidnapping him a year and seven months ago. The FARC is expected to release 4 more hostages by the end of the weekend.

Low Temperatures in Mexico

Here in New Orleans we complain when the temperatures fall to the 40s, even 50s! Imagine how unhappy we would be if we were in Mexico, where temperatures have dropped so low that zoo animals are freezing to death! This cold front, with temperatures as low as 5 degrees fahrenheit, caused 65 zoo animals to die since it hit unexpectedly and zookeepers were unprepared. Full Story

Health Care in Mexico

Like many of my previous posts, the article I'm highlighting here comes from a public health perspective. It discusses the new health care plan that was just implemented in Mexico, and the pros and cons of having universal coverage. Although the article discusses many of the flaws in this new system, from my point of view it is a big stride in the right direction for Mexico -- and the health of Latin Americans as a whole.

That 'Dam' Project

This article is about a demonstration by environmentalists and indigenous-rights supporters, in the capital of Brazil, protesting "a hydroelectric dam project that they say would be devastating to the Amazon region."

Picadillo

Picadillo (Cuban dish, 4 servings)

1 medium onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1 pound ground extra lean beef
¼ cup sherry (optional)
½ teaspoon cumin
½ teaspoon oregano
1/8 teaspoon salt
pinch ground red pepper
¼ cup raisins
1 cup diced fresh or canned pineapple
1 medium green bell pepper, chopped
¼ cup chopped red bell pepper

In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef, onion, garlic until the onion is tender and the meat is no longer pink and the juices run clear. Drain off all fat. Add all remaining ingredients except the green and red bell peppers. Bring to a simmer and cook 5 minutes. Add green and red bell peppers and heat through.

Serve with rice and bread.

Costa Rica and Nicaragua Border Dispute

There is currently a heated dispute between Costa Rica and Nicaragua regarding the border between the two countries. This article explains the history of the dispute and how the US has become a player in the fight. Another article tells about Costa Rica bringing its case to the international court.

This situation is interesting to me because the alliance of Nicaragua and the United States elevates the importance of the condition. The upcoming Presidential elections for Nicaragua also raise the stakes for Daniel Ortega.

Juanes

For those of you who don't know, Juanes' new album, P.A.R.C.E., has recently been released. If you aren't familiar with Juan Esteban Aristizábal Vásquez, more commonly known as Juanes, he is a Columbian musician. He was originally a member of Ekhymosis, but became a solo artist when the band dissembled in 1998. Since then, Juanes' fame has skyrocketed in the Latin American world. He has released 5 albums, won 17 Latin Grammys and 1 Grammy Award. Juanes is known for his humanitarian work, such as his 2009 Peace Concert in Cuba and his aid work with victims of anti-personnel mines in Columbia. For more information on Juanes and his new album, or to listen to some of his music, you can visit his website.

Cuba and US Relations: Still on the Rocks

The following article shows how there is still a lot of political tension between Cuba and the United States. An American citizen was arrested in Havana in December of 2009 and now faces up to 20 years in prison. One can't help but question whether the United States and Cuba will be able to develop positive relations in the near future.

Carnival Season in Latin America

As Mardi Gras draws closer, the international community also celebrates the Carnival season (not just in New Orleans, as one may believe). Mexico, Colombia, and especially Brazil host fabulous festivals and parades to celebrate the period before Lent begins. Spring break next year?!

Universal Health Care in Mexico

Successes and Challenges.

Inflation in Argentina

Update on the latest.

Castro comments on Obama and Egypt

I found this article to be interesting because it shows again how Latin America views the United States as a power that intervenes in other countries' problems... at least that's what I understood from what Castro said about the U.S.

Venezuelan Game Day Snack

Everyone needs fun treats on Superbowl Sunday, why not spice it up and change it up from the usual wings and popcorn and make it a Venezuelan treat!

Fidel Castro Speaks Out on Egypt?

Possible web posting by Fidel Castro about the situation in Egypt. Probably not real, but I found the statement that was made to be very interesting.

Political Cartoons!

Earlier today, I came across this site with three political cartoons about Latin America. All three have descriptions, so they're easy to understand; but try figuring out their meanings before reading the descriptions. I found the first cartoon the most interesting because it accuses Hugo Chavez of using oil wealth for political schemes. In class we discussed the instability of an economy based upon a natural resource such as oil.

Mexican police: Gunmen open fire at soccer game, 7 dead

The following article reports the shooting of an unknown group of heavily armed men on players ranging from 19-26 at an innocent soccer game in Mexico. In the United States, we see several outrageous stories like these; however, the article shows that even in the seemingly safest settings, the country's civility is pretty chaotic.

(CNN) - Nuevo Laredo police chief gunned down, Mexican authorities say

This article is about continued violence in Mexico that is related to rivalries between drug cartels. "The director of public security in the border city of Nuevo Laredo, Mexico, was gunned down Wednesday night, officials said, though details of the incident remained scarce."

Brazilian Title Brawl

Anderson Silva ... possibly the greatest mixed martial arts champion of all time and a Brazilian national defends his middle weight title saturday against Vitor Belfort, who is also from Brazil. The sport as a whole is very well represented in its upper ranks by people from Latin American countries.

El Paisano!

Tonight I found myself at a fantastic Mexican restaurant on the corner of Claiborne and Louisiana called El Paisano. The restaurant is definitely a hole in the wall and doesn’t look like much, but the food was VERY good. The last time my friend was there, he said that the gentleman behind the bar described the food as “authentically Mexican”, saying that other New Orleans “Mexican” restaurants were run by South Americans and didn’t cook authentic Mexican recipes. In fact, I was told by a different friend that El Paisano is the only place in New Orleans that serves a traditional Mexican beef and vegetable stew called Cosido (or Cocido).

It is clear that this restaurant, which seems like it hasn’t been around for all too long, clearly caters to the Mexican immigrant community of New Orleans. This was clear immediately upon entering, as a telenovela played on the flat screen television above the bar, where three or four Mexican men sat speaking Spanish, occasionally walking over to the juke box to play some Latino songs.

My friend and I enjoyed a filling (and CHEAP!) meal of tacos and gorditas al pastor.

So, if you find yourself in the mood for an authentic Mexican meal in the company of authentic Mexicans, you might consider heading over to El Paisano.

Walmart Restructuring Strategy

International enterprises like Walmart changed its strategy on occupying the market of Latin America to realize "sustainability." This means that Latin America has gotten rid of the image of itself as a labor resource or a raw material resource, but rather an area of growing power that deserves respect and protection. Of course, the environment protection issue was stressed by the governments in Latin America, which may also contribute to the result.

Mexico Police Force

Current dilemmas with Law Enforcement in Mexico.

In Mexico Massacre

In Acapulco, Mexico in one week 15 human heads have been placed outside a tourist shopping center. This has put the total number of victims to 33 in one weekend. Tourists have been able to see the bodies and heads of those massacred. Mexican police believe they have caught the person responsible who could also be responsible for the disappeance of 20 male tourists. Mexico sees this capture as a victory for Mexico's war again crime. Last year saw the "heaviest" yet total of murders in Mexico (15,273). America and Mexico have been working together to fight crime, however there is no proof to show it is working.

Click here for more information.

Hugo Chavez's Latest Threat

After reading this article, it makes me really grateful that I live in a democratic nation that honors freedom of speech. It seriously is astounding that a single person can dictate like this to avoid criticism.

Crime War in Mexico

In a single weekend in Acapulco, Mexico, 33 victims turned up dead due to a "shadowy criminal organization." This organization is also responsible for the mysterious disappearance of 20 men. There has been a recent increase in violence in Mexico, specifically due to the recent crime war. Mexico and America are attempting to work together to decrease crime.

Biutiful: Oscar-nominated Mexican Film

Biutiful is a Mexican film nominated for the Oscar categories of Best Actor (Javier Bardem) and Best Foreign Language Film.

The IMDb description is as follows: "This is the story of Uxbal (Javier Bardem). Devoted father. Tormented lover. Mystified son. Underground businessman. Friend of the disposed. Ghost seeker. Spiritual sensitive. A survivor at the invisible margins in today's Barcelona... Uxbal's story is simple: just one of the complex realities that we all live in today."

Here is a link to the trailer: http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi3934586393/

The Academy Awards are February 27, 2011 - don't miss out!

Manjar Blanco

Whenever it is anyone’s birthday or a special occasion in my family my mother makes a dulce de leche dessert. I never knew it's exact origin or where she got the recipe, but I knew it was not an old Jewish recipe (which my mom usually makes). When I googled the dessert I found out that the kind of dulce de leche my mom makes is a traditionally Columbian recipe- when I told her this she got a big kick out of this because she regularly serves in on Chanukah and Rosh Hashanah. Anyway, this is the recipe used to make this delicious dessert:

Ingredients

1/4 cup rice


10 cups whole milk

2 1/2 cups sugar

Pinch of salt


1/4 cup raisins

Directions:

1. Place the rice with some water in a bowl and set aside for 2 days. Rinse and drain the rice.

2. Place the soaked rice in a food processor or blender with 1 cup of whole milk.

3. In a medium pot, place the rice and milk mixture, the rest of milk, sugar and salt and bring to a boil.

4. Reduce the heat to medium-low, stirring often with a wooden spoon for about 3 hours or until the color changes to caramel and the mixture is thick as a pudding. Add the raisins and let it cool

5. Pour into a container and cover. Refrigerate.

Domestic Violence

Domestic Violence is a issue throughout the world, but in cultures that emphasize the role of the male in the family, like that of Latin America, domestic violence becomes more of a problem because there are less resources for the abused. This article addresses Domestic Violence in Latin America and the Caribbean and calls for change. In Spain a series of videos were created to call attention to the rising numbers of Women reporting abuse and the severity of many situations at home that are commonly overlooked when reported.

COHA Reports

The Council on Hemispheric Affairs is one of my favorite sources for current events and information on Latin American affairs. The great thing about COHA is that many of its reports are written and researched by student interns there. Tulane has sent a number of students to COHA for an internship. It's great experience. Even more impressive, though, is the quality of the analysis on Latin America that one can find there. Check it out.

Clean Energy News

Source:

United States President Barack Obama announced an upcoming visit to Chile during his State of the Union address this week. (The Santiago Times, 1/27/11) In March, Obama will meet with President Piñera to discuss clean energy which Obama has defined as natural gas, “clean coal”, and nuclear, as well as renewable energy. (Associated Press, 1/26/11)...

Cuban Defector To Possibly Close For Cincinnati Reds

Cincinnati Reds Pressing Questions

Aroldis Chapman, he of the 105 MPH fastball, may close for the Reds in 2011.

Venezuela is Facing a Cholera Outbreak

Venezuela has confirmed that 111 of its citizens have cholera. Cholera is an infection of the small intestine that causes profuse vomiting and diarrhea caused by bacteria. It is caused by bad sanitation and unclean water. It is very contagious and it believed that many more people in Venezuela currently have cholera and have not reported it. Another problem is that many do not know they have it and are spreading it.

Source #1
Source #2

Maradona May Coach in English Premier League

Argentinian soccer legend Diego Maradona may have found a new job since being fired as head coach of the Argentine national soccer team. If this happens, Maradona will be taking his famous sideline antics to what is considered one of the most difficult professional soccer leagues in the world.

"Mexican town's cops quit after colleagues beheaded"

The war on drugs in Mexico continues to be a major problem. Victimless citizens feel in danger and even police forces are losing hope, too. In Monterrey, Mexico, multiple policeman have been reported as kidnapped, missing, decapitated, or dead. The issue of drug cartels need to be addressed more effectively immediately before any human, of authority or not, dies again.

For more information on this article, please click this link. -Megan

Expanding Mexico City's Sewage System

As a public health major, this report about sewage systems in Mexico City, the world's second largest city, caught my eye. After listening to it, I could not believe that in a city with more than 20 million people, there are floods of sewage so high that sometimes cars cannot drive. I find it difficult to believe that there are still open sewage canals in such a booming city and that they haven't found a solution to this problem earlier.

Wynton Marsalis Visits Cuba

This 60 Minutes episode features Wynton Marsalis, a New Orleans-native trumpet player. This particular segment includes footage of, and information on, his trip to Havana, Cuba, as well as the similarities in the local jazz music of each region.

The Death of Salvador Allende

Link to the story.

Salsa!

"Dance Latino" by Debra Hurd

Over time Latin America has come to develop its own unique popular culture through exchange with outside nations such as the Spanish. Now, if you had one minute to call out what first comes to mind when hearing “Latin American culture” what would you think of? I wouldn’t doubt that within seconds women in colorful flowing skirts, shaking their hips would dance their way into your head to the fast rhythm of conga drums being hit and fun, upbeat music blearing in the background. The women and their partners move in an intimate rhythm that is salsa.

Salsa dancing as a title originated in Latin America during the late 1960s. Its unique rhythm mixes different Cuban dance styles such as son, rumba, and chachacha. Its importance in Latin American culture comes from the identity it gives the nation, unifying its people by practice of salsa music and dance. It is also meant to be an outlet for expression. Dancers communicate their emotions through the movement of their bodies.

This painting is a visual aid of common stereotypes we assign salsa dancing. Typically, salsa is associated with bright vibrant colors, movement that seems fast pace, flowing costumes, and live music with a Spanish sounding tune.

¡Bailarnos!

Cenotes

There are many varied and beautiful natural wonders in Latin America. One in particular that I find amazing are cenotes. Cenotes, otherwise known as underwater sinkholes, are found in many parts of Latin America. One spot where they are particularly common is in the Yucatan. These cenotes were once sacred places to the Mayans, and now are a popular destination for tourists and for cave divers. For more information, check out this site.

War on Drugs

Former presidents of Colombia, Mexico, and Brazil are proposing new strategies for fighting against the drug trade. These three statesmen publicly called the US attempts at halting the drug trade a failure and are hoping that halting the drug trade will, from now on, be considered a "public health issue."

Deforestation of the Amazon Rainforest

I never realized that deforestation of the Amazon Rainforest in Brazil was a major concern; however the following article gave me good insight into the posing issue that faces the country and ultimately the planet.

Copa Libertadores

In Latin America, the Copa Libertadores is set to start. This is one of Latin America's biggest soccer tournaments, with the competing sides being private clubs as opposed to the national teams, which play in the world cup and other international competitions. For a brief overview of some of the drama from the 2010 cup and some insight into the coming 2011 tournament read here.

Obama, the SOTU, and Latin America

This article from the wall street journal talks about President Obama's State of the Union Address. Obama will be visiting Brazil, Chile, and El Salvador in March to strengthen American ties with the region as well as to boost trade.

Cuban Ropa Vieja

This is one of my favorite cuban dishes... for more recipes you can visit this website.

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 2 pounds beef flank steak
• 1 cup beef broth
• 1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
• 1 small onion, sliced
• 1 green bell pepper, seeded and sliced into strips
• 2 cloves garlic, chopped
• 1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon chopped fresh cilantro
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 tablespoon white vinegar

Directions

1. Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Brown the flank steak on each side, about 4 minutes per side.
2. Transfer beef to a slow cooker. Pour in the beef broth and tomato sauce, then add the onion, bell pepper, garlic, tomato paste, cumin, cilantro, olive oil and vinegar. Stir until well blended. Cover, and cook on High for 4 hours, or on Low for up to 10 hours. When ready to serve, shred meat and serve with tortillas or rice.

Argentina circa 1967

This article (circa 1967) contains some absolutely stunning photos of Buenos Aires. The whole article is not offered, and it is not quite clear from which magazine this article originally came from, however it seems to be talking about what makes Buenos Aires the way it is. From the pages of text, however mismatched, flows the Argentine's sense of pride in themselves and their country. I have experienced this pridefulness first-hand with my Argentine friends, and it is why I am so interested in Argentina and plan to visit there in the future.

Cuba and US relations

Found this at a Latin American current events website. Really quick read. Thought it was interesting because I don't know that much about Cuba and US relations, but didn't think it was this hostile or anything. Anyway, here it is: Link

Costa Rica's efforts to save the Sea Turtles

This video explains some efforts that are being taken by the Costa Ricans in a effort to save their population of Sea Turtles.

If you would like to know more on the obstacles that the Sea Turtles are facing this website has additional information.

Braves Dominate Latin American Top 10

Top Latin American Baseball prospects

Greatest player by far is number 3. Ruben Tejada (lets go Mets!)

Squatter Settlements in Argentina

This article discusses the situation of squatter settlements in Argentina. I found it interesting because the article points out how ingrained the problem is in Argentina today and how critical it is to the country's current political environment.

For more information on Argentina, check out this link.

Brazil denies any threat of terrorism

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20101130/ap_on_re_la_am_ca/lt_brazil_terrorism_wikileaks

Brazil continues to deny that terrorism is a threat to the country or a concern to Brazilian authorities. Though they have made several arrests on potential terrorism-financiers, these suspects have been brought in on lesser, unrelated charges. Brazilian law enforcement continues to take actions to counter this threat, though they deny that it is a worry. According to this Wikileaks article, U.S. officials believe this denial is an attempt to protect Brazil's international image and the country's Muslim and Arab communities.

"Queen of the Pacific" released with no charge

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20101203/ap_on_re_la_am_ca/lt_drug_war_mexico

Mexican judge Fernando Cordova has released a woman described as the "Queen of the Pacific", a main leader of Mexico's most powerful drug cartel, the Sinloa gang. Her aquittal is just one of many in this war against drugs, in which almost all of the suspects brought into custody have been released.

Cuba continues to detain American

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20101203/ap_on_re_la_am_ca/cb_cuba_detained_american

An American contractor has now been held by Cuban authorities for over a year without being formally accused of any crime. Although the Cuban government suspects he is a spy, he has yet to be charged. On the one-year anniversary of his arrest, the U.S. State Department released a statement declaring that the continued detention of this man is extremely detrimental to the already precarious U.S.-Cuban relationship. The U.S. government has vowed to do everything it can to bring this contractor home.

Crackdown in Rio de Janeiro

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20101204/wl_afp/brazilcrimedrugsunrest

Rio de Janeiro police forces secured 118 arrests at the conclusion of a two-week crackdown on drug cartels inthe city. Troops are now stationed throughout the city, specifically in these slum districts, for an indefinite period of time to protect the residents.

Wikileaks reveals doubt in Mexican government's effectiveness in combating Drug Wars

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20101203/ap_on_re_la_am_ca/lt_wikileaks_mexico


Wikileaks cables have been released revealing the doubts of U.S. diplomats in the ability of the Mexican government to effectively handle the drug wars still raging in the Latin American country. The Mexican army has been called unorganized and outdated, while the government's strategy is ineffective. This damaging information could hurt the reputation of Mexico internationally. Both Mexican and U.S. officials have denied the validity of this information.

10 More Mexican Killings

http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/americas/12/05/mexico.violence/index.html

In Ciudad Juarez there have been 10 more deaths unrelated to each other. This makes 28,000 people that have died in Mexico due to drug violence since 2006 when Felipe Calderon assumed office.

Leader of Drug Trafficking Group Arrested in Mexico

http://www.comcast.net/articles/news-world-latinamerica/20101128/LT.Drug.War.Mexico/

The supposed leader of the main drug trafficking group of methamphetamine in Mexico, La Familia, has been arrested by Mexican police. Jose Alfredo Landa is being interrogated and held in a Mexican prison. What I find interesting is the insistence of this well-known drug gang that it is in fact protecting Michoacan, the Mexican state which the group is based out of, from other drug gangs. It has proclaimed the upholding of family values, and ironically condemned the consumption of hard drugs- but with no mention of the trafficking of such drugs.

Wikileaks

http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/7020666865?Latin%20American%20Governments%20Criticized%20In%20Wikileaks%20Documents

Discussed in this article is the release of confidential conversations between U.S. diplomats about certain Latin American countries by Wikileaks. Some of what was said about these countries was negative criticism. I have to agree with the U.S. Ambassador to Colombia, Michael McKinley, who condemned the release of these private conversations. The fact of the matter is that such conversations and criticisms take place between the diplomats of every country, and are necessary to maintain peace between the nations of the world. These conversations were meant to be private, and should stay that way.

Republicans See Hope for Larger Latino Vote

Republicans are getting more and counting on more on Latino votes.

http://politics.usnews.com/news/articles/2010/11/30/republicans-see-hope-for-larger-latino-vote.html

Cool Capoeira Video

This video shows two Capoeiristas from the group Senzala de Santos.

Reminds me of the Capoeira lesson we had in class

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z8xxgFpK-NM

Mexican Drug War

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F01eO2GTbQg

DREAM Act

DREAM Act

This article discusses the positive impact that the DREAM Act would have both on the young illegal immigrants currently living in the United States and on modern American society. The author concentrates on the effect that the passing of this act would have on one youth in particular. However, what I found to be most interesting was the opinion of Benny Martinez, director of the Texas League of United Latin American Citizens District 10: “Undocumented students should go to school. Children who are not educated end up falling into a life of crime, prostitution and drug peddling. It will cost the government lots more to incarcerate than to educate,”.
Martinez makes a wise and valid point that, regardless of whether these youths are legally allowed to live in America, their presence cannot be ignored. They will grow up to become a significant part of American society- it's up to the government to decide if they will be given the chance to become educated contributing citizens or doomed to a struggling, uneducated life and remain a detriment to society.


http://www.victoriaadvocate.com/news/2010/nov/28/gp_dreamactpro_112910_119022/?news&local-business

Same Sex Marriage in Latin America

http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/americas/12/28/argentina.gay.marriage/index.html#cnnSTCText

Last year in December, Alex Freyre and Jose Maria di Bello were wed in Argentina, becoming the first officially wed gay couple in Latin America. The legal consequences for their action have actually proven to be positive for the gay community in Latin America. The marriage was challenged, and a judge in a Buenos Aires court found that a ban on gay marriage is illegal. Though this decision has been contested, it is still a great step ahead for gay rights advocates. I hope this trend continues and that social homophobia becomes an idea of the past, like the idea of the Earth being flat.

Caradiru Prison

http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/americas/08/03/vbs.carandiru.massacre/index.html

This article about a massacre inflicted upon inmates by guards in Brazil's largest prison in 1992. A riot broke out, and 111 prisoners were killed. Though many of the deaths were from inmates, many more were likely from police and prison guards. According to the article, 102 bullets were fired. The guards claimed that many were already killed and that they were acting in self defense. From the article: "In the archival images we collected, we see one inmate partially decapitated and another with a hole in his chest the size of a tennis ball. That doesn't exactly scream self-defense." The prison was notorious for its rough conditions, even violating many international human rights. It was demolished in 2002.

Latin American Radio

I have been listening to more and more music from Latin America and during my search I came across this great online radio with music from all countries and different genres:

http://www.latamradio.com/

Technology Brings Tensions to Costa Rica and Nicaragua

Google Maps is bringing about tensions between Costa Rica and Nicaragua:

http://www.latinamericanpost.com/index.php?mod=seccion&secc=1&conn=6336

The Deportation Case of Bernard Pastor

http://nky.cincinnati.com/article/AB/20101124/NEWS01/11250330/-1/NEWS/Deportation-case-not-over

This article discusses the decision of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement that Bernard Pastor, an 18 year-old recent high school graduate currently residing in Cincinnati, Ohio will be forcibly returned to his native land of Guatemala. It is now up to his lawyer, Firooz Namei, to prove that Pastor should not be deported.
This case hits home with me for several reasons. First, these events are taking place in my own hometown of Cincinnati. My own high school competed against the school that he attended, Reading High School, in several different sports. Secondly, Bernard Pastor is a normal teenager (exactly my own and most of my classmates' age), just like all of us. He was an honor student, as well as an amazing soccer player. Regardless of whether he is technically a legal American citizen, this place is his home. Pastor has been living and thriving in this country since he was 3 years old, and most likely knows no other home. He has been a contributing part of his community up until this point, and shows promise for the future.
I don't know if Bernard Pastor has the constitutional right to live in this country-my knowledge of such laws and statutes is thoroughly limited-but I do believe he has the right to attempt to prove that he deserves a life in this country as much as any legal American citizen.

The drug wars in Juarez have become so severe that hospitals have had to establish their own security system in order to protect their patients. The security system in the Thomason hospital utilizes metal detectors, guards, and a SWAT team with live amunition to keep assasins from attacking the victims they had intended on killing. Investigations in El Paso have shown a startling number of deaths from the drug war alone. Kevin Kozak states, "Juarez looks a lot like a failed state...". This also indicates that the war against drugs is only increasing the problems citizens face as a result of drug gangs stepping up their own defense in response.

http://www.lamnews.com/mexican_drug_wars_destroying_ciudad_juarez.htm

One of the things i find interesting about the Tango genre of music is that it originally reflected a negative, pessimistic mood in the songs until the 1910s when it reached America. Tango music then transgressed into a more positive, yet sensual mood. It is interesting how the influence of America reformed the style of music.

http://www.articlesbase.com/music-articles/5-popular-latinamerican-music-genres-711860.html

Haiti Votes May Be Valid?

This video caught my eye after hearing from our guest lecturer Mr. Guerrier and learning much more about Haiti. I thought it was interesting to be able to get a peek at what voting was like for the Haitians and what the candidates think about the possibility of irregularities with the votes. I hope that this election can go smoothly and Haiti can prosper, but sadly I have my doubts. Here's the link to the video:

http://news.yahoo.com/video/world-15749633/23259136

The Tico Times

Something that is very important to me is my experience in Nicaragua. Working with kids and bonding with a host family is something I will never forget. When I found this website, www.theticotimes.net, I was very excited because it can give news directly from Nicaragua AND in english which is always nice. When exploring the news stories one that caught my eye was a story about volunteer work being done in Nicaragua. The article follows both a retiree and a young adult right out of school, and their experiences with volunteering with children in Nicaragua. I connected very much to this article because I was in an almost identical situation. Working with these kids in rural Nicaragua changed my life, and through the article you can tell that their experience is changing their lives also. I'm glad to see that people are learning about Nicaragua through the children and bringing their knowledge to the rural communities. I will continue following this site with information on Nicaragua and the volunteer work happening there. I truly hope to return someday.

http://www.ticotimes.net/The-Nica-Times/Volunteers-of-all-Ages-Find-Common-Purpose-Here_Friday-November-26-2010

BP sells stake in Pan American Energy to Bridas

I was immediately drawn to this article when saw BP in the headline. I'm glad to see that BP is doing something to pay debts caused by the oil spill.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20101128/ts_alt_afp/britainchinaargentinadivestoilcompanybpbridas;_ylt=AsmRoXAMO6kczu7PaW8acMW3IxIF;_ylu=X3oDMTNsZDExbGs3BGFzc2V0A2FmcC8yMDEwMTEyOC9icml0YWluY2hpbmFhcmdlbnRpbmFkaXZlc3RvaWxjb21wYW55YnBicmlkYXMEcG9zAzQ2BHNlYwN5bl9wYWdpbmF0ZV9zdW1tYXJ5X2xpc3QEc2xrA2Jwc2VsbHNzdGFrZQ--

Arizona Immigration Law Divides Latinos, Too

This is a recent news article about Arizona's Immigration law: click me

Latinos become focus for US army recruitment - 10 Oct 07

The US army persuades Hispanics in California to join the military.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VzYmC8XvDDM

Should Illegal Immigrants Go To College With Less Tuition?

In this CNN article, an issue regarding the education of illegal immigrants from Latin America is addressed. It was mentioned in the article that California is allowing illegal immigrants pay In-State tuitions whereas students from out of state actually have to pay more. To see the complete article,click me.

Brazilian Favelas Raided by Government

The Brazilian government recently sent heavily armed forces into the "lawless" slums of Rio De Janeiro to drive out powerful drug traffickers. This article connects the drastic action taken by the government to their desire for peace and order during the World Cup in 2014 and the Olympics in 2016.

"Night Raid Expected in Lawless Rio Slums"

Plant a Billion Trees

http://www.plantabillion.org/

This is a nonprofit organization that aims to conserve the Atlantic Forest. The Atlantic Forest is now only 12 percent of it's original size. Most of the deforestation is due to general human expansion. This includes activities such as farming, urban expansion, and illegal logging. I have found several nonprofits that have a focus on Latin America, but this one is particularly appealing because of its focus on progressive green thinking. The premise of the organization is that an individual can donate a dollar and the organization will plant one tree in the Atlantic Forest. I believe the simplicity of the plan here is key, and because of it anyone can be involved. Thinking about it, one dollar is also a very cheap price for the environmental benefit. With that one dollar, the organization is able to pick the most effective tree choice for the area, buy the seed, and actually plant it. This seems to be a very money-efficient setup. As far as non eco-related benefits go, the reforestation of the area will help bring money to million of people and create thousands of jobs. Overall I am very impressed with this organization and its ease of access to the world's population, which I think will allow it to become one of the most successful green programs.

Police Take Control in Rio de Janeiro

http://www.bbc.co.uk/mundo/noticias/2010/11/101125_rio_janeiro_violencia_en.shtml

Nuclear Reactor in Venezuela

http://www.comcast.net/articles/news-world-latinamerica/20101125/LT.Venezuela.Russia.Nuclear.Reactor/

Mexican Plane Crash in Monterrey

http://www.comcast.net/articles/news-world-latinamerica/20101124/LT.Mexico.Cargo.Plane.Crash/

The Mexican-American Paradox

The War on Drugs combined with American foreign policy has created a paradox that undermines the purposes of both. The War on Drugs is fairly simple. One of it's three main components is that the US will do whatever it takes to shut down flow of drugs into the US. This creates tension between the US and Mexico because of the drug cartels that are largely responsible for the amount of drugs floating around in the western hemisphere. The drug cartels are also the root of much of the violence that is hurting Mexico. Violence is one of the main ways the drug cartels are so successful; they are outside the government's control. However, the success of their rule also owes gratitude to the US. The US is by far the #1 exporter of guns and weapons. Arms trade to the Mexican cartels has mostly been underground. However, most of that underground economy is knowingly supplied by US arms dealers. The trade is simply generally done here and shipped to the cartels, rather than directly dealing with the drug lords. The US is only increasing its tension with Mexico by allowing such trade to happen. The black hole of international policy and nation resources, AKA the War on Drugs, only exacerbates the problems these policies pose. By supplying the Mexican gangs with guns, the US only contributes to the problem and prolongs the suffering of Mexican citizens.

http://www.edmontonjournal.com/news/arming+Mexican+cartels+Maybe+average/3862027/story.html

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20101120/ap_on_re_la_am_ca/lt_venezuela_anti_chavez_tv;_ylt=AmLz.xO41Zry85BWhYP.P3.3IxIF;_ylu=X3oDMTMxYzN1YmZoBGFzc2V0A2FwLzIwMTAxMTIwL2x0X3ZlbmV6dWVsYV9hbnRpX2NoYXZlel90dgRwb3MDMQRzZWMDeW5fcGFnaW5hdGVfc3VtbWFyeV9saXN0BHNsawNjaGF2ZXpkZW1hbmQ-

Though Hugo Chavez is a democratically elected leader, his actions are progressively becoming more and more like those of a dictator. Now he is trying to shut down last remaining television channel that opposes his actions as president. Though Chavez did rid his country of the corruption that drove democracy out of Venezuela, he brought a new kind of democracy that has degenerated over time. Now he silences his opposition, falling into the classic model of a dictator. I've read very little on Chavez before today, when I read an online biography. It's really interesting to me that he has been re-elected so many times. The article didn't give much information on the circumstances of the elections, i.e. how equally each party was advertised in society or whether the polls were fair. The article said the elections were overseen by two noninterest groups, one of them being the Carter Center, run by Jimmy Carter himself. If the elections had nothing rigged, it makes me wonder about the people's impressions of him and of the opposition running against him. Either way, he is still around now in 2010, nearing 2011. This will make his twelfth year as president. His actions seem to have become more suppressive as time has gone on, evident by this most recent shut down. A population that can't have a balanced view of the their ruler can't have choice of their ruler, and I am personally disgusted by this most recent development.

This article was a surprising find. It talks about armed forces starting some sort of revolution in Bolivia. They've declared their regime to be socialistic, against imperialism, and anticapitalistic. It's also interesting to note that Evo Morales is defending their stance. Here's the full article: http://www.bbc.co.uk/mundo/noticias/2010/11/101118_bolivia_ejercito_polemica_socialista.shtml

Smallest man ever to have lived

, Nelson de la Rosa, finds true passion in dancing:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4lP-WogaCwY&feature=related




Possibly the most humiliating event in primordial dwarf history

for more on primordial dwarves:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Primordial_dwarfism

Mexico's Women on Canvas

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-11735234

"Cuba in Revolution"

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/17/world/americas/17haiti.html?_r=1&ref=americas

Cholera Outbreak In Haiti

After our discussion about Haiti in class, I was inspired to do more research about the state of the country after the earthquake and the growing problem of the Cholera outbreak. Here is an interesting article about the problems officials are facing with the public:

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/17/world/americas/17haiti.html?_r=1&ref=americas

Pais Vasco

This was really interesting so I thought I'd share!
In my spanish class, we recently had a discussion about a el Pais (country) Vasco which is a small section on the northern border of Spain where a group of people want Independence from Spain. They have their own language (Euskera or Vasco) and a culture very different from the majority of Spain. In fact, because of the political disagreements over becoming independent, there are even terrorist groups that attack civilians as a way to make a statement. Their differences, as in language, make them pretty distinct as they are probably descendents of people from Georgia. I was surprised that this entire people existed that I had no idea about. It just goes to show how big the world really is.

Pais Vasco

This was really interesting so I thought I'd share!
In my spanish class, we recently had a discussion about a el Pais (country) Vasco which is a small section on the northern border of Spain where a group of people want Independence from Spain. They have their own language (Euskera or Vasco) and a culture very different from the majority of Spain. In fact, because of the political disagreements over becoming independent, there are even terrorist groups that attack civilians as a way to make a statement. Their differences, as in language, make them pretty distinct as they are probably descendents of people from Georgia. I was surprised that this entire people existed that I had no idea about. It just goes to show how big the world really is.

Hispanic Literature

What Latin American blog site is complete without mentioning Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes. Of all the latin american literature that I've read, it's definitely my favorite and a popular classic too. If you've already read it, I would advice you to take that extra step and read the spanish version of the novel. It's definitely a challenging read but it's much funnier than any translations. My AP Spanish class in high school worked on certain chapters but I hope to eventually finish the entire thing. Other authors and poets I would recommend are also Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Pablo Neruda and Federico Garcia Lorca. Neruda's poem "Oda a la Alcachofa" was funny to read and pretty creative with his personification of vegetables. If you're looking for a shorter piece of literature such as a play, I would definitely recommend Lorca's "La Casa de Bernarda Alba." A play with a more modern twist would be "La Casa en Mango Street." The play was amazing and I'm sure anyone with an interest in hispanic culture would love it too.

I hope you guys enjoy these recommendations!

Cholera in Haiti

Cholera has been suspected in Haiti since October but officials have just confirmed that the outbreak has reached Haiti's capital, Puerto Principe. There are about 100 suspected cases in the capital. The country overall has had 544 deaths and 8,000 people enter hospitals for treatment. I was surprised to see that there hasn't been more coverage on this outbreak since Haiti has had so much international aid since the earthquake. Cholera is also a very serious disease with a pretty high mortality rate. The entire article can be found at http://www.bbc.co.uk/mundo/ultimas_noticias/2010/11/101109_ultnot_haiti_colera_capital_amab.shtml.

On one hand, it is slightly understandable that a disease of such potency would spread very quickly in a nation that is still recovering. After the earthquake I know that most people lost their previous level of water quality and overall sanitation. Regardless, it is still extremely unfortunate.

Brazilian President's New Economic Measures

Here is an intriguing article about the implementation of new economic measures in Brazil, preparing for a change in government:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20101102/wl_nm/us_brazil_economy_lula;_ylt=AlneP57bjen2Ftt1rgA4pR.3IxIF;_ylu=X3oDMTJ0anJiajVzBGFzc2V0A25tLzIwMTAxMTAyL3VzX2JyYXppbF9lY29ub215X2x1bGEEcG9zAzQ1BHNlYwN5bl9wYWdpbmF0ZV9zdW1tYXJ5X2xpc3QEc2xrA2JyYXppbDM5c2x1bA--

Mexico's Desperate Attempt to Stop Drug Trafficking

This is an interesting slideshow from the New York Times, showing the burning of tons and tons of marijuana by Mexican authorities in an attempt to "send a message to the traffickers."

http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2010/10/21/world/americas/1021-MEXICO-7.html

Venezuela's Global Population

In class, we have been discussing how Latin American countries are affected by the ever globalizing world; it's hard to wrap our heads around the fact that immigration is not just taking place on our southern border, but all over Latin America as well. Here is an interesting article about the surge in the global population immigrating to Venezuela:

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/07/world/americas/07venez.html?_r=1&ref=americas

Death Penalty in Guatemala

Here is an interesting, but short article about the prevention of the restoration of the death penalty in Guatemala by the president:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20101105/ap_on_re_la_am_ca/lt_guatemala_death_penalty;_ylt=AsvUvuSur6u_AZY0PrkcUZu3IxIF;_ylu=X3oDMTMxdmlvb2VlBGFzc2V0A2FwLzIwMTAxMTA1L2x0X2d1YXRlbWFsYV9kZWF0aF9wZW5hbHR5BHBvcwMxNgRzZWMDeW5fcGFnaW5hdGVfc3VtbWFyeV9saXN0BHNsawNndWF0ZW1hbGFwcmU-

Salvadorean Cuisine

After eating at La Macarena, I feel Salvadorean food deserves its own blog post. Anytime I go to La Macarena, I order its papusas. The papusa is very much a Salvadorean specialty. It consists of a hand made tortilla that contains cheese and pork meat ground to a paste consistency. Generally there are also beans, salsa, and a mix of vegetables. These can be put on top of the papusas or cooked inside them. At La Macerana they also include banana cream (I think that's what the waiter said?) and fried banana peppers. This dish is absolutely to die for. Their horchata is also excellent. Horchata is a drink made of pulverized rice, cinnamon, sugar, vanilla, and water. Variations exist from eatery to eatery but, I promise, it will all be good. Another traditional dessert is etol de elote. It is made of water, cinnamon, and sugar, and corn. Through quite a long process, the corn is broke down and blended with the boiling milk and water, with cinnamon being thrown in at the end. It makes for a very thick and creamy drink. Tamales de Elote are also common. They are basically the same tamales as everywhere else except that the corn they are made with has a higher starch content.

More recipes can be found here:
http://www.whats4eats.com/central-america/el-salvador-cuisine