Mexican Author Carlos Fuentes Died

Carlos Fuentes, one of Latin America’s leading authors and intellectuals, died on Tuesday at the age of 83.

Born in Panama, Fuentes was a prolific writer whose works included "The Death of Artemio Cruz" and "Destiny and Desire." For his writing he won numerous awards including Spain’s coveted Cervantes Prize for literature in 1987.

His bestseller "The Old Gringo" was turned into a Hollywood film in 1989 that starred Gregory Peck.

Fuentes was not afraid to express his political views on topics affecting the Americas. In his novel “The Crystal Frontier,” Fuentes blasted U.S. immigration policy, while more recently he criticized Mexican presidential frontrunner Enrique Perez Nieto and called for drug legalization.

The below video comes from an interview via the AARP. In it, Fuentes describes how loneliness can become an impetus for writing and explains the advantages to being an artist:

Video Source – YouTube via AARP

Online Sources – Reuters, New York Times

Titulares de las Americas

There are some news stories from Latin America that are covered by covered by the local press but overlooked or ignored by the English-language mainstream media sources. Here are just a few of these stories that have caught our attention:

* Argentina: Camila Sanchez, a two-year-old girl in a vegetative state since her birth, has been in the center of the debate over the right to life in Argentina. Legislators have discussed several proposals that would permit a "dignified death", which has been strongly advocated by Sanchez' mother. The bills have run into some opposition such as the mom of ex-Soda Stereo front man Gustavo Cerati.

* Mexico: There has been increased criticism of President Felipe Calderon's anti-drug offensive in the aftermath of an arson attack that killed at least 52 people. In an interview given to the EFE news agency acclaimed author Carlos Fuentes called on "help from Israeli, French or German police to combat crime" in Mexico. Fuentes also called on the decriminalizing of some drug use; a position he has stated before as part of a working group of intellectuals and former leaders critical of regional counternarcotics policies.

* Colombia: An anti-violence protest in solidarity with some twelve local theater groups will be held this Tuesday in Bogota. These groups, including some from the most impoverished neighborhoods of the city, were the aim of intimidation allegedly by the "Aguilas Negras" (Black Eagles) criminal gang. "It's a threat against our culture, civil society, and the country," said one of the targeted actors who will participate in the march on the same day that the gang ordered the actors to leave the Bogota.

* Peru: The mother of a Peruvian nanny jailed in the U.S. urged President Ollanta Humala to intervene on her behalf. Luz Fernandes claimed that she has felt "abandoned" by the Peruvian government in the legal battle to help her daughter, Ada Cuadros. A retrial is expected to start soon for Cuadros who was originally sentenced to life imprisonment for allegedly killing a fourteen-month-old child that she was babysitting.

Video Source - C5N via YouTube
Online Sources - La Republica, Trme, Milenio, El Universal (Mexico and Venezuela), Clarin.com, Radio Santa Fe, El Observador, El Espectador

Bloggers of the world unite!

• A porn actress has accused a married, journeyman ballplayer of having a “tawdry romance” with her. Discuss.
• Sage words from Mexican author Carlos Fuentes.
• A look at the late Cuban-born cartoonist Antonio Prohías.
• Will Uruguay escape largely unscathed from the global economic slowdown?
• This Saturday a protest will be held against controversial Arizonan sheriff Joe Arpaio. (If you’re lucky you just might catch a glimpse of Charles Barkley).
• Say “hello” to Colombia’s narco-paramilitary leaders.
• A personal note: I love Argentine singer Juana Molina!
  

Image- Concurring Opinions
Online Sources- La Plaza, Plan Colombia and Beyond, Deadspin, VivirLatino, Guanabee, Small State, Latin American Musings, Latin American News Review