This Week in Latin American News: April 15-21, 2018

 

Some headlines from Latin American News this week

***clicking on the title links will carry you to the relevant news sites for the full articles***

 

Cuba’s Raúl Castro hands over power to Miguel Díaz-Canel

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For the first time since the revolution of 1959, Cuba will be led by someone other than a Castro.  Only time will tell if there will be any significant policy shifts.  However, Díaz-Canel has so far voiced his support for predecessor Raúl Castro and declared his intention to continue in the tradition of “the revolution.” (BBC)

 

Frida Kahlo Barbie doll banned from shop shelves in Mexico

 

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In its efforts to raise awareness of diversity and ‘inspiring women’, Mattel has launched a new range of dolls including Frida Kahlo, Amelia Earhart and Katherine Johnson.  In Mexico, and even the United States, criticism has been levied against a Frida doll that is too Europeanised and that does not portray any of Frida’s several physical disabilities.  The manufacturer has also been accused of using the artist’s image without permission. (BBC)

 

Brazil boosts social programmes’ funding for Venezuelan influx

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As Venezuelan citizens continue to face difficult times and uncertain futures in their home country, the Brazilian government has released $60m in emergency funding for social programmes to help with the hundreds of thousands of migrants who have entered their borders. It is estimated that as many as 1,000 Venezuelans enter Brazil each day. (Al Jazeera)

 

6 Comments

  1. Diana Tyler (Eccentric Muse) April 23, 2018 at 10:58 am

    Thanks for sharing! I heard about Miguel Díaz-Canel last week and that doll is the splitting image of Frida Kahlo.

    Reply
    1. Kim April 23, 2018 at 12:11 pm

      Hahaha. It is close. Unfortunately it is significantly fairer, has light eyes and is missing the characteristic unibrow that was so Frida. I think Mattel is trying to do a good thing but a lot of Latina girls would also appreciate seeing someone who looks more like them.

      Reply
      1. Diana Tyler (Eccentric Muse) April 23, 2018 at 5:41 pm

        My comment about the doll was meant to be a little sarcastic, but it didn’t come across that way. 😄I agree with what you said, though.

      2. Kim April 24, 2018 at 7:53 am

        Hahaha. You’re always so sweet in your comments!!! I completely missed that. 😉

      3. Diana Tyler (Eccentric Muse) April 24, 2018 at 11:43 am

        Haha! Okay, I think I need to work on my sarcasm then. 😉

      4. Kim April 24, 2018 at 4:50 pm

        🙂

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