Author Archives: thomasramos

Brazil Election and Issues

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In Brazil, the presidential elections are the main topic of discussion. A candidate may become president of Brazil after winning absolute majority. However, if no candidates receive a majority of votes then the top two move on to a second round of voting. This is what has happened in Brazil’s 2018 presidential election. Jair Bolsonaro, the controversial far right candidate… Read more »

‘Why not?’: Transgender candidate busts stereotypes in Brazil

At a women’s volleyball game on a Monday night in São Paulo, the stands are packed and those in attendance are decidedly rooting for the away team. A large portion of the audience has come to see one of the away team’s players in particular, Tifanny Abreu, the first transgender woman to play in Brazil’s premier female volleyball league. She… Read more »

Brazil elections: Why are there so many murders?

As Brazilians vote for a new president, senators and deputies on Sunday, one issue in particular might determine their choice: violent crime. Two recent surveys strongly suggest increasing concern among Brazilians about rising levels of violence. Candidates across the political spectrum have promised in their campaigns to address the issue. Far-right candidate Jair Bolsonaro, who’s leading in the polls, wants… Read more »

Brazil election: Five things you need to know

The run-up to Brazil’s general election on 7 October has been nothing if not dramatic. The frontrunner was campaigning from jail until he was banned from standing in the election. His main rival was stabbed while on the campaign trail and seriously injured. What else do you need to know about the poll in Latin America’s largest democracy?

Brazil election: Far-right Bolsonaro ‘will not soften rhetoric’

The controversial far-right candidate in Brazil’s presidential election, Jair Bolsonaro, says he will not tone down his rhetoric ahead of the second round. Mr Bolsonaro won the first round on Sunday by a margin of 17 percentage points but fell short of the 50% of valid votes needed to win outright. He will face the left-wing Workers’ Party candidate, Fernando… Read more »

The issues in Nicaragua

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The people of Nicaragua have been protesting against the government for the past five months. The people started protesting because they had been oppressed for so long and finally decided to start to fight for their freedom. Then other individuals, such as Reyna Rodriguez, started to join the fight after “seeing so many young people among the dead.” However, this… Read more »

Viewpoint: Ortega’s Nicaragua crisis evokes memories of past

Javier Bauluz is a Pulitzer Prize-winning Spanish photojournalist who has been reporting on the recent wave of protests in Nicaragua in which hundreds of people have been killed. He argues that there are parallels between the current crisis and Nicaragua’s armed conflict of the 1980s, which he also covered. “How did we not realise that they were becoming monsters? How… Read more »

Nicaragua crisis: The people caught in the middle

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Nicaragua is in crisis. During five months of anti-government protest and the government crackdown that followed, hundreds of people have been killed. Local photographer Carlos Herrera has been on the streets to see how the unrest has been affecting people. “It was like a pressure cooker. We exploded after living under an authoritarian government,” says Reyna Rodríguez, who has joined… Read more »

Nicaragua opposition activist Félix Maradiaga faces arrest

A judge in Nicaragua has issued an arrest warrant for opposition activist Felix Maradiaga, accusing him of having financed anti-government protests. Hundreds of people have been killed since the wave of protests began in April. Mr Maradiaga, who is believed to be outside Nicaragua, has denied any wrongdoing. He also said that he believed it was his duty to continue… Read more »

Venezuela crisis: Chinese hospital ship docks for a week

A Chinese hospital ship has docked in Venezuela, where for the next week it will provide free health care to local patients. Venezuela’s Defence Minister Vladimir Padrino López, went to the port of La Guaira to welcome the Chinese crew. He said that the Peace Ark’s visit was agreed by President Nicolás Maduro during a visit to Beijing last week…. Read more »