The wave of protest that has swept Brazil over the last two weeks has caught analysts and politicians by surprise. While protestors call for the end of political corruption, many of these complaints have been framed by the mainstream media.
A group of student protestors in Rio de Janeiro released demands explaining why they were demonstrating on the streets. These "five-points" reflect grievances that have been plaguing Brazil for some time.
This year in Guyana, Emancipation Day—the day which commemorates the abolition of slavery—was not a cause of celebration but was marked instead by widespread sadness and anger. On August 1, funerals were held for three men who were killed by Guyanese security forces during a protest over government plans to increase electricity rates in the bauxite mining town of Linden.
Colombian oil workers resumed their protests in Puerto Gaitan last week, once again confronting security forces. The new protests come after the Colombian government and the Canadian oil company Pacific Rubiales failed to fulfill promises made during last month’s oil workers’ strike.
