Posts from ‘March, 2009’

Half of all fatalities resulting from unprovoked shark attacks in 2008 occurred in Mexico, the International Shark Attack File reported earlier this year. The organization defines an “unprovoked attack” as one in which a shark in its natural habitat attacks a live human without provocation. Worldwide there was a total of 118 incidents involving sharks [...]

A barometer of a nation’s social progressiveness is the rights it affords to gays and lesbians. Unfortunately, it is one that shows the U.S. lagging behind countries in South America. Same sex couples can find more basic legal guarantees  in Colombia or Uruguay than in the U.S.  This should be a rude awakening for a [...]

“Bolsa,” the cashier in the gift shop asked. I was perplexed. “Why is she asking me what kind of wood the toy snake I just purchased for my son is made out of,”  I wondered. After an awkward silence, it finally dawned on me that she wanted to know if I’d like a bag. Cursing [...]

Almost 6 million U.S. tourists visited Mexico last year, according to statistics released this month by the International Trade Administration Office of Travel and Tourism Industries.  More than the number of U.S. visitors to Central and South America combined. The number of people who flew from the U.S.  to destinations in Central America, South America, [...]

Obesity is a problem of epic proportions around the globe. That is the main message of Barry Popkin’s book The World is Fat: The Fads, Trends, Policies, and Products that are Fattening the Human Race. Unfortunately, Mexico and other Latin American countries are experiencing this troubling trend. Too much unhealthy food has replaced starvation as [...]

A growing demand in the U.S. for Coca Cola sweetened with sugar is fueling a gray market for Coke made in Mexico. Pepsi plans on introducing “Pepsi Throwback” and “Pepsi Natural” in April. In addition to the retro packaging for “Pepsi Throwback”, both of these new sodas will be sweetened with sugar instead of high [...]

I usually disagree with conservative pundit George Will. But today was an exception. In a dispatch from a heavily reported prosecution of a gun shop owner in Phoenix,  Will provides a cogent synopses of the central issues surrounding Mexico’s drug cartel crisis. The gun shop owner is on trial for selling at least 650 weapons, [...]

In the James Bond movie the Quantum of Solace, a ruthless consortium of businessmen will stop at nothing to gain control over  a seemingly barren expanse of land in Bolivia. As the body count rises during the course of the movie,  it’s unclear just what they’re after. Oil? copper? The answer turns out to be [...]

In this guest post, my friend Rob Freedman explains why Oaxaca, Mexico occupies a special place for Rush fans. Some of the most evocative travel writing about Latin America comes from what has to be one of the most unlikely sources you could think of: Neil Peart of Rush. If you’re not a progressive metal [...]

With its controversial left-leaning president and striking landscapes that set the scene for T.V. shows such as the Amazing Race, Bolivia is increasingly becoming part of the public consciousness. But the small South American country was the furthest thing from photographer Ron Dubin’s mind when his friend called him and offered him an assignment there. [...]