Today being the first of September made me realize that fall has arrived, which means that the weather will steadily grow colder and nastier from here on out, at least for those of us who reside north of the equator. This led me to think way ahead to January and February (it’s a slow day at the office), and I thoroughly depressed myself by imagining the chilly rains and shapeless weather-beaten coats that would soon creep back into my life. And then, idly trawling the internet, I found it—a vibrant, pulsing, blaring escape from the most dismal part of winter: The International Poetry Festival in Granada, Nicaragua.
Despite being a poor country with a high illiteracy rate, for one week every year Nicaragua becomes a Mecca for the art of the spoken word. Generally held in the third week of February, the Poetry Festival is one of the most eagerly anticipated events in Nicaragua—even the small surrounding towns hold little festivals that imitate the big one in Granada. Anyone making a visit to the city that time of year will see poets from all over the world strolling down the cobbled streets and sipping chilled, fruity macuas outside the vibrantly painted colonial buildings. Open mikes are set up outside many bars and restaurants, where amateurs can step up and recite their work for passersby. Perhaps the two most famous living Nicaraguan writers, Ernesto Cardinal and Gioconda Belli, are present every year to read from both their most recent work and their old classics to general roaring approval.
The majority of the events take place in the city’s central park and plaza, where audiences consisting of a wide variety of ages, classes and nationalities crowd together to witness the free concerts, readings, and dance performances that go on throughout the day and into the balmy, rum-scented night. The shows range from school children reciting the poems of Ruben Dario, Nicaragua’s favorite native son and the father of modernist poetry, to deafening, emotive concerts from some of Central America’s most popular musicians. All visiting poets first recite their work in their own language before a translator reads a Spanish version. It is rather moving to witness the locals, many of whom could never afford to travel outside the country, standing rapt with attention as rhythmic strains of Arabic, Dutch and Croat echo down their streets. If I can manage it, I will definitely head down to Granada when February rolls around. I don’t think anything could take the edge off winter better than spending a week immersed in such a powerful outpouring of art, self-expression, and national pride.
By Emily Ellis, VIVA Travel Guides Editorial Intern
[Colombia] Galeras, a volcano located in Southwestern Colombia near the Ecuadorian border, erupted early this morning. Even though the eruption was non-explosive, with only a small amount of smoke and ash seen spewing from the volcano, authorities have issued a red alert against it. Since Galeras erupted once before in January, killing nine scientists and tourists who were near the volcano at the time, the high-level alert is understandable. However, only about 205 people out of the 7,000 who live in the area chose to go to the nearby evacuation shelters as instructed by authorities. No injuries or property damages have been reported. [CNN]
The UNESCO World Heritage committee recently decided to remove the Galápagos Islands from its World Heritage In Danger list, which it has been on since 2007.
The decision proved controversial, as the islands have only been on the list for three years. Many people, including members of the UNESCO World Heritage Centre in Paris, disagree with this decision. Taking the islands off the In Danger list may wrongly imply they do not face dangerous challenges; removal from this list could send the wrong message to donor countries and organizations, as well as tour companies in Ecuador.
Golden Rays, from Viva Guides.
While Ecuador has made tremendous progress in preserving and protecting the Galápagos Islands, there is still much work to be done. The country has successfully eradicated goats from Isabella Island, implemented immigration control, introduced new species control including fumigation of aircrafts, and begun GPS monitoring of the Galápagos Marine Reserve, among other things.
Sea Lion, from Viva Travel Guides
The dangers that were listed when the Galápagos was put on the In Danger list persist, so removal from the list may be misleading; many fear this action could cause irreversible damage to the islands.
to remove the Galapagos Islands from its World Heritage in Danger List
After 859 days, Ed Stafford completed his goal of walking the entire length of the Amazon River on August 9th. His journey, which spanned 4,000 miles, was full of countless run-ins with less-than-savory reptiles and insects, as well as Amazonian tribes.
Before beginning his walk, Stafford was a captain in the British Army until 2002 and was a UN security advisor in Afghanistan. According to his blog, Walking the Amazon, he had run remote expeditions all over the world, including various countries in Latin America.
His primary motivation for the trek was not to raise awareness or charity money, rather, in the spirit of a true adventurer he just wanted to do something no one else had accomplished before. However, during the course of the trip Stafford witnessed vast swaths of logged rainforest and hopes that his expedition will help connect more people to the environmental problems facing the Amazon. He also wants the feat of endurance to inspire people into setting out on adventures of their own.
The journey began on April 2nd, 2008 on the coast of Peru, with a fellow companion that dropped out after three months. Five months into in the journey, Stafford was joined by a Peruvian forestry worker, Gadiel “Cho” Sanchez Rivera, and the two completed the trek together. However, along the way they were joined by hundreds of people that walked with them for a few hours—and some even for a few months!
Stafford’s trek was fraught with microscopic, reptilian and human dangers, including stomach illnesses, giant caimans and anacondas, skin-boring insects and territorial local tribes. At one point, the two were seized by a remote tribe and stripped-down in front of the tribal elder. Ultimately they received the tribe’s blessing after they explained their purpose. On some days, the team would burn 6,000 calories apiece, but only consume half of that.
The incredible physical stress of the journey caught up Stafford just 53 miles from the finish line, when Stafford collapsed from exhaustion on the side of the road. He suffered from severe disorientation and developed a mysterious full-body rash, but after a few hours of rest was able to set off again. Trailed by a carload of Brazilian reporters and other news organizations, Stafford and Cho walked 53 miles in 21 hours on the last day. Upon reaching the Atlantic Ocean, Stafford and Cho sprayed each other with champagne and swam in the ocean.
Stafford hopes to set off on another record-breaking journey in September of 2011, but will not disclose its details so that somebody doesn’t beat him to it.
Compiled by Jen O’Riordan, Eli Mangold and Libby Zay.
Every Friday, Viva Travel Guides combs the presses to round up the most relevant and recent Latin America news stories. Here are the stories our office talked about during the week of July 30th to August 6th. For more up-to-the minute news, follow us on Twitter!
[BRAZIL] Last Sunday, fifty-five members of a small indigenous tribe emerged from the Amazon rainforest to prove they exist and highlight the fact that their home is being mercilessly destroyed. Many of the tribe members left the rainforest for the first time in their lives to join 150 supporters in the town of Zé Doca, Maranhão, where the local Mayor’s office had previously denied the Awá people even exist. Local authorities have recently opposed a federal court ruling that ranchers, loggers and settlers who have occupied Awá lands should leave. Along with witnessing the destruction of up to 50 percent of their home, the tribe (believed to be one of Brazil’s two remaining nomadic hunter-gatherer tribes) has also been subject to massacres by settlers and have fallen victim to illnesses such as the common flu for which they have little or no immunity. [Indigenous People's Issues]
Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa May Face Brother in 2014 Election
[ECUADOR] Strangely enough, the only significant opposition to Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa’s administration is his own kin; his old ally and older brother Fabricio. The brothers worked together to get Rafael elected in 2006, but after a rather nasty corruption charge (Fabricio’s engineering business supposedly boomed just after the younger one was elected), their relationship unraveled. There has been macho posturing on both sides, and Fabricio is quoted as saying “Nobody has so far had the testicular competence to sue me.” Should be in interesting election to watch. [BBC]
Mexico City Upholds Gay Marriage Law
[MEXICO] Eight out of ten justices in Mexico’s highest court decided to uphold a law allowing same-sex marriages in the capital. The law was passed seven months ago, but federal prosecutors said it “went against the principle of protection of the family,” according to the BBC. [BBC]
Thirty Trapped in Chile Mine
[CHILE] A small mine collapsed in northern Chile late Thursday, leaving 30 miners trapped. Rescuers believe the trapped men may have taken refuge in an underground shelter that has oxygen and food “for them to last for some time,” but no further details have been released. [Reuters]
Guatemala Willing to Meet with the U.S. About Labor Dispute
[GUATEMALA] There is a possibility that the Guatemalan government is facing hefty fines for violating terms of the joint free-trade agreement with the U.S. The U.S. AFL-CIO labor federation and six Guatemalan unions first lodged the complaints in April 2008 over the violation of labor conditions, including failure to implement laws regarding the rights of workers to bargain collectively and organize, as well as the right to acceptable working conditions. According to the International Confederation of Trade Unions, Guatemala is the second most dangerous country for workers after Colombia. Sixteen workers are thought to have died in labor-related incidents in 2009 alone. [Global Post]
The Plague Surfaces in Peru
[PERU] Both the bubonic and pneumonic plagues have appeared in Peru, killing one 14-year-old boy and infecting 31 others. The disease is carried by fleas and transmitted by their bites, and Peruvian authorities are looking into sugar and fish meal imports from the Ascope province. But don’t worry about another Black Death, the plague is easily treatable with antibiotics if found early. [AP]
Troops Found $7 Million in Cash at Home of Drug Lord
[MEXICO] Troops who raided the house of drug kingpin Ignacio “Nacho” Coronel last week found $7 million in cash. They also seized jewelry, three expensive cars, and several weapons. Coronel, who died in the gunfight, was third in line in the Sinaloa drug cartel. [AP]
Fidel Castro Plans to Address Cuban Assembly on Issue of Foreign Affairs
[CUBA] After falling ill and conceding power to brother Raul, Fidel Castro is now healthy enough to address the National Assembly. Although not officially confirmed, the state media has reported that the ex-head of state plans to orate on the impending nuclear crisis between North Korea, Iran, Israel and the US. The session will be held on Saturday, August 7th. [BBC]
Prison in Brazil Found to be Run by Inmates
[BRAZIL] Police raided a prison in Rio de Janeiro to find inmates had overrun the place. The facility, which held 150 prisoners awaiting trial, had only one guard when police arrived. Police seized keys from the prisoners, as well as a pistol, ammunition, mobile phones, and records that detailed payments made by prisoners for larger cells and better conditions. [BBC]
Baby Revives Inside Coffin at Wake in Mexico
[MEXICO] A Mexican baby who was declared dead by doctors revived inside her coffin while her wake was in progress. Apparently, during the ceremony, parents heard a strange noise coming from the casket and opened it up to find their baby very much alive. The baby was born prematurely Monday, and is now in stable condition at a hospital. The doctor who pronounced her dead is being investigated for possible negligence. [AP]
Diego Forlan in Calcutta. Courtesy BBC.
Soccer Star Diego Forlan Visits Calcutta
[URUGUAY] Diego Forlan’s visit to one of India’s few football-crazy cities has caused much excitement in recent days. The 31-year-old Uruguayan player was named player of the 2010 World Cup after scoring no less than 5 goals for his country in the tournament. Forlan’s visit was part of a football talent hunt where many of the participants come from underprivileged backgrounds. “I’ve had the opportunity to see them playing, and I’m surprised how organized the young players are. You can see real talent,” he said. A large number of followers greeted the Atletico Madrid forward on his arrival in Calcutta, and his visit to the headquarters of Mother Teresa’s Missionaries of Charity also drew large crowds of well-wishers. Forlan became a hero in his home country after his performance in South Africa and joins a list of football favorites that have visited Calcutta in recent years, including Diego Maradona, Branco, Romario, Oliver Kahn, and Gerd Muller. [BBC]
Former Chilean Secret Police Chief Blames CIA for 1974 Murders
[CHILE] General Manuel Contreras, the former chief of Chile’s feared secret police, said the CIA is to blame for the assassination of General Carlos Prats. At the time, Prats was the biggest enemy of General Augusto Pinochet, who proceeded him as head of Chile’s army. Contreras is serving combined sentences of 100 years for murders and kidnappings that took place while Pinochet headed the army. [AP]
No Oil Drilling in Ecuadorian Amazon Reserve
[ECUADOR] Ecuador decided the value of an Amazon Reserve was worth more than the oil money it would receive, and ruled against drilling in the area. It is estimated there are 846 million barrels of crude oil under the reserve, which is home to several indigenous tribes, as well as tons of flora and fauna. Under Ecuador’s new agreement with the UN, the reserve will remain untapped for at least 10 years. [V!VA]
[MEXICO] Mayan Indians in the Mexican state of Yucatan have signed a petition calling for the removal of two life-sized bronze statues from the state capital. The statues were erected in June in honor of the conquistador Francisco de Montejo and his son. In the mid-16th century, both Montejo and his son were responsible for many vicious battles and the deaths of thousands of indigenous during their quest for control of the area. The local council agreed to consider the petition on Wednesday which was signed by over 100 Mayan groups and many more individual Yucatan citizens. Over the years, Mexicans have avoided any attempt to praise or commemorate those that invaded the country and statues in their honor are rare. [AP]
Vice President Lenin Moreno shook hands with a leader of the indigenous Shuaras tribe after signing a deal that assures Ecuador will refrain from drilling for oil in an Amazon rainforest reserve. In return, Ecuador will receive $3.6 billion in payments from wealthy countries, about half of what it would make from the oil.
Under an agreement signed by the UN, the oilfields beneath the Yasuni reserve will remain untapped for at least ten years. The Yasuni reserve measures 10,000 sq km and hosts an enormous variety of wildlife. It is one of the most bio-diverse regions on Earth. It is also the home to several indigenous tribes, who are determined to protect their territory from oil development.
The oilfields below Yasuni contain about 846 million barrels of crude oil, which is 20% of Ecuador’s reserves. Oil is Ecuador’s primary export, but environmental organizations say it has caused immense damage to the Amazon region.
According to the Ecuadorean government, keeping the oil untapped will prevent more than 400 tonnes of carbon dioxide from going into the atmosphere. Hopefully, other countries will follow Ecuador’s lead.
On the last Friday of every month, V!VA posts a photograph from a country in Latin America. Your job is to guess what country it’s from. Feel free to be even more specific (city, town, beach, building, plaza, etc.) if you can.
Guess the country by leaving a comment below. Each month, we will randomly choose a winner from those who answer correctly to receive a FREE V!VA eBook chapter from a country of your choosing. The answer will be revealed next week.
Every Friday, Viva Travel Guides combs the presses to round up the most relevant and recent Latin America news stories. Here are the Latin American news stories our office talked about during the week of July 24th to July 29th. For more up-to-the minute news, follow us on Twitter!
Cristina Calcieta’s mystery has been solved. Photo courtesy AFP.
34 Years Later, Argentine Students Crack Murder Mystery
[ARGENTINA] The families of a young couple who disappeared in 1976 can finally lay the remains of their loved ones to rest after their bodies were identified by a group of students and community members in the small town of Melincue. The students linked the timing of the couple’s disappearance with a discovery of two brutalized bodies a rural farmer had made in 1976, and DNA tests proved their suspicions. Under the Argentine military dictatorship that ruled at the time, tens of thousands of suspected left-wing activists were murdered or disappeared. [AP]
Other South American Countries Attempt to Diffuse Venezuela/Columbia Feud
[COLOMBIA / VENEZUELA] After Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez severed ties with Colombia last Thursday, South American foreign ministers failed to bring the two countries back together at a meeting in Quito, Ecuador Thursday. Brazil President Lula da Silva plans to speak with Chavez on August 6th. Venezuela and Colombia have a long history of mixed feeling toward each other, and on Thursday Colombia accused Venezuela of harboring around 1,500 leftist guerrillas and closed the consulate. [Colombia Reports / Reuters]
Troops Kill Mexican Drug Kingpin
[MEXICO] Soldiers gunned down Ignacio “Nacho” Coronel, a leader of the Sinaloa cartel during a raid of his hideout in the western city of Guadalajara. In an attempted to escape, Coronel fired on soldiers as helicopters hovered overhead. One soldier was killed and another wounded. “The scope of [his] influence and operations penetrate throughout the United States, Mexico, and several other European, Central American, and South American countries,” said the FBI in a statement. [AP]
Ancestors of Australian Marsupials Arrived from the Americas
[GERMANY] According to genetic research from Germany, well known Australian species such as kangaroos, possums, koalas and wombats share a common ancestor that must have traveled to the region from the Americas. “I think this is pretty strong evidence now for the hypothesis of a single migration [to Australia] and a common ancestor,” said Juergen Schmitz, of the University of Muenster research team. The DNA analysis unfortunately does not tell us when this migration to Australia occurred, but researchers speculate that it may have taken place some 30-40 million years ago. [Discovery News]
Catalan Bullfight Ban Raises Debate in Latin America
[LATIN AMERICA] After Catalonia, Spain banned bullfighting last Wednesday, many bullfighting enthusiasts and animal rights groups throughout Latin America are having heated debates about the support. The tradition of bullfighting dates back to Spanish colonization in countries like Peru, Colombia, Ecuador, Venezuela, and Mexico, which is home to the world’s largest bullring. Michel Lagravere, father of Franco-Mexican child bullfighting star Michelito, said the Catalan parliament vote was “more anti-Spanish than anti-bullfight.” [Montreal Gazette]
Diego Maradona’s Tenure Ends as Argentina’s Coach
[ARGENTINA] Diego Maradona confirmed the end of his time as Argentina’s coach on Wednesday. Maradona accused Julio Grondona, president of the Argentinian Football Association, of lying to him and Carlos Bilardo, the national team’s general manager, of betraying him. Although many are blaming Maradona for Argentina’s loss in the World Cup, Maradona pointed out: “Not since 1990 has Argentina made it past the quarter finals.” [guardian.co.uk]
Argentina and Uruguay Reach Agreement on Pollution Monitoring
[ARGENTINA / URUGUAY] An agreement has finally been reached in the 7-year dispute between Argentina and Uruguay regarding pollution of the shared Uruguay River. The controversy began when Argentina raised concerns about contamination of the river from a Finnish paper mill on the Uruguayan side. The agreement was signed at the presidential palace and calls for a joint-scientific committee to monitor and identify pollution from all farming, industrial and urban centers that spill their waste into the Uruguay River and its tributaries. Argentina hopes the agreement will please environmentalists who have been blocking a bridge linking Gualeguaychu to Fray Bentos in Uruguay for the past three years. The UPM mill was built there seven years ago despite Argentina’s objections that it would pollute the river. [Global Times]
UNESCO Takes Galapagos Islands Off the Threatened List
[ECUADOR] After a 14-5 vote, the United Nations has voted to remove the Galapagos Islands from its list of endangered sites. The committee believes Ecuador has made significant progress in protecting and preserving the Islands. The Galapagos Islands had been on the list since 2007 after threatened by tourism, over-fishing and the introduction of invasive species. The Galapagos Islands has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1978. [Voice of America]
United States Closes Consulate in Ciudad Juarez
[U.S. / MEXICO] The United States announced closure of its consulate in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico indefinitely. A U.S. official said the consulate was closed due to a “credible threat.” Last year, more than 2,600 people were killed in drug-related violence in the city. In March, the consulate closed for several days after a U.S. employee, her husband, and the husband of another staff member were killed. [BBC]
Watch a news report on the situation in Arizona. Video courtesy MSNBC.
Illegal Immigrants Prepare to Leave Arizona as New Law Takes Effect
[U.S. / MEXICO] A controversial immigration law, which could see an influx of deportees returning to Mexico, took effect in Arizona yesterday. Shelters across the border in Mexico are gathering supplies and preparing for a 20-25% increase in occupancy in the coming months. However, some say that many illegal immigrants will simply move from Arizona to another American state rather than return to Mexico. Mexico already extended its annual voluntary repatriation program in anticipation of the Arizona law, beginning the initiative earlier than usual in June. Other Mexican states such as Guanajuato and Chihuahua have also announced employment programs for possible returnees. [ABC News]
Chilean President Rejects Calls to Pardon Officials
[CHILE] In a televised address to the nation last Sunday, Chile’s President Sebastián Piñera stated the sweeping pardons requested by the Catholic Church for military prisoners would not be granted under his government. The 60 military prisoners were convicted of humans rights abuses during the ear now known as the “Dirty War.” The majority of the prisoners live in a comfortable, well-equipped prison build especially from them. Standing up to the Catholic Church was a bold move, however, recent scandal and sexual abuse claims against Chilean priests have tarnished the Church’s reputation in recent years. Despite the rejection, the Church reacted positively saying that at least now the issue of overcrowding and conditions in Argentina’s prisons had been put on the national agenda. [NY Times]
Cuban Hunger Striker Departs Hospital
[CUBA] Guillerrno Farinas, an opposition activist who went on a 134-day hunger strike, has departed the hospital after three weeks of treatment. The 48-year-old psychologist and journalist began accepting food and water on July 8 after an agreement was reached between the Catholic Church and President Raul Castro to release 52 political prisoners. Twenty prisoners have so far been flown in exile to Spain with their families. [AP]
Just when you thought you were done reading about octopuses in the news, a new species of octopus has been discovered in Antarctica. No, the cephalopods were not found clinging to any national flags. And no, they do not appear to have psychic abilities. However, they do have special venom. And, dare I say, they are kind of cute?
New species of octopus discovered in Antarctica. Photograph from: http://news.discovery.com/animals/octopus-venom-discovery.html
While collecting venom from octopuses captured in the waters of Antarctica, scientists accidentally discovered four new species of octopus. They also recently determined that venom from these creatures (octopuses, cuttlefish, and squid) might be a potential resource for drug development.
The venom of cephalopods living in the Arctic might have special properties because, unlike other venom, it is effective in sub-zero temperatures. Scientists plan to determine what kind of biological tricks they use to produce functioning venom in such cold temperatures, and will study the range of toxins that seem to exist in these unique, Antarctic creatures.
This discovery comes in the wake of many news stories regarding Paul the Psychic Octopus, who also produces venom. However, Paul is a common octopus, or an octopus vulgaris, who lives in a fish tank in Germany. He was most likely born in Weymouth, England or Elba, Italy, where water temperatures are not as frigid.
Frigid temperatures have been chilling South America over the last couple of weeks. Now the Peruvian government has declared a state of emergency in 16 of Peru’s 24 regions after temperatures dropped as low as -24 Celsius.
Lima, the nation’s capital, recorded the lowest temperature in 46 years at 8 degrees Celsius. Temperatures were as low at 9 degrees Celsius in Peru’s usually humid Amazon region.
Hundreds of people, including many young children, have already died from cold-related illnesses such as pneumonia. The mountainous south, including poor, rural populations living 3,000 m above sea level, have been the hardest hit by the cold.
The state of emergency in Peru comes in the wake of severe cold weather throughout Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, Bolivia, Paraguay and Chile. If you are traveling to South America in the near future, be sure to bring extra layers for unusually cold weather.
