Latin American Studies Resources

This article discusses the experiences of several young women involved in large Guatemalan gangs. Studies have found that almost 40% of gangs are constituted of young women (ages 14-21). These youths are living on the streets, and their fellow gang members often coerce them into group sex and group beatings. They are forced to have sex with most members of the gang, and kill someone, just for initiation. Admist the violence in Guatemala, young children are being orphaned, and end up getting involved in street gangs and violence. The article mentions how sometimes children are beaten at home, and they join a gang to "escape" it, when in reality, they are being beaten by the gangs, "their adopted family", as well. Gang leaders hold intense social control on their members.

The reason I have tagged this website is not particularly to highlight Africans immigration to Latin America, but to bring attention to some of the topics we have discussed in class. Identity plays a huge roll in the context of this article: we are so focused on our identity being what we see and where we came from, but how does the identity of these people change when they immigrate to Latin America?

The article highlights the degrading affect of pollution on Guatemala's natural resources. In particular Lake Atitlan which was once considered "the most beautiful lake in the world" has now begun to show signs of contamination and pollution. The article seeks to call attention to the lack of environmentally friendly procedures-but mentions some new conservation laws being implemented.

This article focuses on the negative affect that the financial crisis in Guatemala is having on children. As a result of remittences, families cannot afford to send their children to school. The percentage of children leaving school are increasing.

This article focuses on the newly found Ancient Maya site found in the city of EL MIrador. Although it is an amazing discovery-the land is not properly protected. It is highly contested by many groups including drug cartels.

An aid worker from the the UN's World Food Programme describes the severe food shortages that have hit Guatemala.

This article evaluates the severity of the current food shortage throughout Guatemala. This is a critical situation for the people of Guatemala. This "diary" investigates a few specific cases in which people (sometimes young infants) have become medically ill due to the lack of food.

This article discusses the marriage of a homosexual couple in Beunos Aires. On December 1st, a man will legally marry a man, for the first time in Latin American history. This article is especially important because it demonstrates a sense of social and political progress throughout Latin America.

This article talks about the poverty in Guatemala. 75 percent of Guatemalans are below the poverty line, and 58 percent are below the extreme poverty line. Although it is not specifically stated, the extreme level of poverty may be a reason for the violence plaguing Guatemala today, and may be preventing the improvement of society from the civil war era.

This article discusses the violence that remains in Guatemala currently, even though the war ended over a decade ago. President Álvaro Colom hoped to increase security in Guatemala; however with increasing gang violence, Guatemala is considered the second most dangerous country in Latin America. Voters in Guatemala are calling on Colom to not only create feelings of security but also to inspire what the country has been lacking for so long: peace.

This article shows that both sides initiate violence in Guatemala. Locals intercepted the policeman, who was accused of extortion, and brutally murdered him. Lynchings, however, are common and are seen as forms of vigilante justice.

This article examines the reasons behind the loss of Rigoberta Menchu as a presidential candidate. Embedded within the article are issues of identity and conspiracy as some are out rightly opposed to her as a candidate, while others cannot understand how she fared so poorly.

The recent killing of prominent lawyer Rodrigo Rosenberg has created uproar in Guatemala. The most chilling part, however, is that he predicted his own death, and the link to the video he made days before his assassination is provided in the article. As in Reckoning, there is no way to tell who is actually telling the truth in this situation. While there is evidence, for now, it is mainly a fight between the word of Rosenberg and the word of President Alvaro Colom.

This article provides a current update of the state of the formation of Rigoberta Menchu's political party WINAQ. It also provides a link to a YouTube video that shows the political progress. In reality, the link also suggests an interesting connection between this Latin American political movement and new media and how new media is helping spread awareness around the world.

Full Classification Outline for Library of Congress SUbject Headings

This article is more intersting in the way that it covers some of the things which we have been discussing in class about the shawnty towns which have been created in Venezuela. The problems which we mentioned in class such as security, has just been shown in the article. although the cause of the fire is not known but it can be something to do with the bad acts such as smoking, or doing drugs.

The article talks about the religious ritual activies which happens in the mountains of Venezuela. The ritual is that people believes that by offering their blood to the goddess Maria Lionza, they will be purified of their sins.