Ecuador: A Quechua Christmas Carol
Source: www.gregpalast.com [Quito] I don’t know what the hell seized me. In the middle of an hour-long interview with the President of Ecuador, I asked him about his father. I’m not Barbara Walters. It’s not […]
Month: December 2007
Ecuador’s New Constitutional Assembly: Up With the Executive, Down With Traditional Parties
Ecuador followed in the footsteps of Venezuela and Bolivia this past November 30 by beginning the task of writing a new constitution. The goal is to remake the country’s political and social landscape. Similar to Hugo Chavez and Evo Morales, president Rafael Correa has pledged to use a new constitution to introduce socialism for the twenty-first century into Ecuador. […]
Walking from Bogota to Caracas for Peace
(IPS) – After walking 800 km from Bogota, Colombian teacher Gustavo Moncayo, known as the "peace walker", crossed into Venezuela on his way to Caracas. Escorted by hundreds of supporters, the 55-year-old Moncayo was handed […]
Brazil: Films, Music as Damage Control in Prisons
Cultural activities in Brazilian jails these days include film screenings, live bands and libraries with shelves packed with books — part of an attempt to combat the consequences of the appalling living conditions in prison."So far, I think we’re managing to limit some of the damage. Because we know that we’re fighting a very cruel system," rapper Marcelo Yuka, who likes to define art as "a mirror of society." […]
Cuba: Elizabeth and Monica’s Wedding
(IPS) The veils, gloves, roses and dresses are white. Monica and Elizabeth hold hands and exchange rings on this afternoon in Cuba overflowing with symbolism, tears, laughter and hugs from people who have supported them […]
Mexico: Transgenic Maize Knocking at the Door
(IPS) Mexico’s first experimental trials of genetically modified maize will take place next year, a government official has announced. The news has put environmental and campesino (small farmer) organisations, still hoping that this will not […]
Bolivia: Guarayo Indians Struggle to Hold Onto Their Land
The Guarayo indigenous people in eastern Bolivia are losing their land to large landowners. But one woman is heading a social movement to fight the greed of timber companies and agribusiness interests in the area.San Pablo is a poor town in Bolivia’s eastern lowlands made up of mud-walled, thatched-roof houses 335 km north of the city of Santa Cruz and 14 km from Ascensión, the capital of the province of Guarayos.
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Transformation Via Constitutional Reforms
As left-leaning forces have been elected to power in several countries in South America’s Andean region, they have undertaken constitutional reforms to incorporate far-reaching economic and social changes. The trend stands in contrast to left or centre-left governments farther to the south, which have implemented social programmes, put a stronger emphasis on nationalism or brought to justice those responsible for crimes against humanity committed by past dictatorships, without the need to rewrite their constitutions.
Paraguay: acción de mails contra puerto Cargill
CASTELLANO ABAJO Dear Friends: : This week will be treated in the Council of Asuncion, Paraguay, the new construction of the road between the harbor and the highway Transchaco. This is the last legal hinder […]