Rescuing the Hispanic Journalism
In times of rapid and brief writing, a book defending the chronic Villoro the genre called "literature under pressure". Editors, writing in the bowels, seeking escape from the trivial, the urgent and the aseptic


   These two books in one actually, because this anthology of contemporary Latin American Chronic Dario Jaramillo Agudelo (see important points) consists of a first part chronicles compiled by different authors can be read as stories. And a second presentation made by the compiler itself (Collage on twentieth-century Latin chronicle) plus a series of trials in which these same writers reflect on their craft. Answers to chronicle what is it, that they may serve as a manual for aspiring journalists.
 The whole book is a tribute to the journalism of "immersion" that needs to escape the relentless deadlines to produce a material that, well done, reflecting the reality beyond the news. A subjective journalism, but not so dishonest, written with the perspective and the personal stamp of an author who, though not to use the first person, is a reporter present, contrary to the usually prescribed supposedly objective news journalism.
 Jaramillo Agudelo acknowledges a Parnassus of authors who are referenced in this type of writing, as Tomas Eloy Martinez, Carlos Monsivais, Gabriel Garcia Marquez and Elena Poniatowska, among many others. The Argentina, for instance, Homer had Alsina Thevenet, Henry Raab and Rodolfo Walsh, but also the Etchings of Roberto Arlt and, going back even further back, Sarmiento's Facundo or an excursion to the Indians ranqueles, Lucio Mansilla that although literature or testing, are also chronicled his time.
 Colombia says Jaramillo Agudelo, Daniel Samper Pizano has and Alfredo Molano Bravo, Puerto Rico, Ana Lydia Vega and Luis Rafael Sanchez and, similarly, every country in Latin America has given exalted representatives of this genus that the brilliant Mexican writer Juan Villoro compared with a platypus, that oviparous mammal duck-billed, beaver tail and legs in otter.
 The "platypus of prose," says Villoro, draws on several genres of the novel, takes the subjectivity of the report, the data, the story, the dramatic sense in short time and actually made the story; of the interview, dialogues, the theater, the multiplicity of parliaments and their assembly; the test, the argumentation of autobiography, memory and personal reworking the facts.

 A boom, in spite of everything
 Jaramillo Agudelo continues to Norman Sims, author of literary journalists (or the art of the staff report) to highlight the four fundamental forces of the chronicle: immersion, voice, accuracy and symbolism.
 The first takes time, so the vortex information and the requirements of the closures conspire against him. Just as the widespread idea that Leila Guerriero discusses-in on some lies of journalism, one of the essays in this anthology-that people do not read or only read the brief and leads to condemn the texts only "long" .
 Still, says Jaramillo Agudelo, Latin America is "a narrative journalism boom" and "today there are very good writers in our continent because there are very good magazines chronic collect their works (see related photos) Black Label ( Peru), Leopard (which began in Colombia and now exists in Argentina and Mexico), El Malpensante and Soho (Colombia), and Orsai Lamujerdemivida (Argentina), Left foot (Bolivia), Pacemakers (Venezuela), Letras Libres (Mexico) The Clinic and Paula (Chile). "
 The Chronicle claimed the first-person voice, the recognition of the impossibility of neutrality, which does not involve deception, by contrast, can be much more honest than the proclamation of objectivity impossible. Whenever you follow a few rules that Jaramillo Agudelo making Mark Kramer, "Do not make scenes, not to distort the chronology, not invent quotations, not to attribute ideas to the sources, unless they (the have expressed), and not dealing undercover involving payments or editorial control. "
 This list does not define what should be the accuracy of the chronicle, which, unlike literature, staged characters and real events.
 As for symbolism, that the above: the chronicle must answer the question of "what lies beyond the facts, and what lies, what does history tells you that your observation?"
 To quote from Martin Caparros, another of the writers invited to this book, "information (as applicable) is to tell many people what happens to very little: the one with power. (...) The Chronic rebels against this when he tries to show, in their stories, the lives of everyone, either: what happens to those who might be his readers. "

 Prohibited bore
 Despite an unnecessary digression to clarify that, when he says "great writers" refers to "them" as "them", the introductory notes of Jaramillo Agudelo are an excellent reflection on the work as a journalist and a good presentation and defense of a genre which, when well made, high honor of Woody Allen: "All styles are good except the boring."
 His criteria for selecting the chronic form the book was, he says, Caparrós (for whom the compiler does not hide his admiration, citing it several times, including four of his writings): "The magic of a good story is to get a reader interested in an issue that, in principle, no interest at all. "
 The result is a selection that reads like a compilation of gripping stories, only that it is not fiction. The authors - Juan Jose Hoyos, Pedro Lemebel, Carlos Martinez D'Aubuisson, Josefina Licitra, Frank Baez, Hernán Casciari, Alvaro Sierra, Juan Pablo Meneses, Jose Navia, Juan Forn, Julio Villanueva Chang, among others (see related photos) - lead the Pinochet coup in Chile in the fifth of Pablo Escobar at the height of his career as head of a powerful drug cartel, the Carnival of Rio to the kidnapping of undocumented Mexican border, a classic-Mouth River at swinger clubs of Barcelona, ​​through-known portraits of Carlos Gardel, Argentine painter Guillermo Kuitca or Mexican journalist Lydia Cacho, or not, a fighter, a magician, the mother of Hugo Chavez ... In short, a tour of Latin America, history and, above all, the human soul. Especially compelling is the story about the murder of Monsignor Romero, archbishop of San Salvador, Carlos Martinez D'Aubuisson, a relative of Major Roberto D'Aubuisson, the mastermind of this political crime.
 In others, Jaramillo Agudelo gives them the consolation prize of place in a list of excluded from the book, although they expressed their admiration and ensures that there will be room for them at a later complication; dubious honor, if we also consider that some chroniclers included more than one job.
 But we must recognize that, given the abundance of good writing that this book points out, the selection is not easy and surely leave unhappy. But the texts included are high quality, like the chapters in trial. Among them, the soon to be a classic article by John Villoro (The Chronicle is the platypus of prose) retain this genre "practiced an artifice: it transmits a real person" in his "attempt to give voice to others." De Julio Villanueva Chang that "a writer has the privilege of not only what happens, but above all it seems that does not happen." Similarly, Caparros proposes "to tell the stories that taught us not to consider news." Leila Guerriero says "worst sins" of a journalist: "make boring texts, monotonous, without weather or nuances." Boris Muñoz claimed the chronicle as "being of being of Latin American literature" from the Royal Commentaries of the Inca Garcilaso de la Vega to the authors of today. And Alberto Salcedo Ramos argues that "fiction writers are not more important, per se, than those of non-fiction, just because they imagine their arguments literally instead of sticking to the facts and characters from real life."
 Indeed, this genre, well practiced, it is worth aspiring to literary range. In the words of Gabriel García Márquez, "a chronicle is a true story," and in John Villoro, "a chronicle literature is achieved under pressure."

Riots shook claims the Labor Day events in Latin America
Concentrations were in the main cities of the region. In some demonstrations, clashes and violence. Politics, in some cases, and apathy in others, marked the day
Photo credit: Reuters

 Tens of thousands of workers in Latin America endorsed the streets to voice their demands again and in many cases, to express their discontent with the measures taken by governments.
 In Chile, the march was held in the capital, Santiago, culminating in serious riots clashes between police and masked. The demonstration, organized by the Confederation of Workers (CUT)-the main union of the country, began in the downtown Central Station, where the columns moved peacefully through the emblematic Avenida Alameda, operating under tight control. The violence reached the end and the authorities still did not give casualty figures or arrested. In cities such as Valparaiso and Concepcion were minor incidents.
 Also there were riots in Bogota. Security forces arrested 70 people in Bogota for possession of dangerous elements, Caracol Radio reported. Explosives and one wounded completed the temporary part. Was expected to meet main event some 10 thousand people.
 In the Bolivia of Evo Morales, the commemoration of this day came amid a series of protests that affect the popularity of the Government, with claims of various kinds. The demonstrations, which had thus a more political aspect, lost prominence by the president's announcement of the expropriation of the Spanish Electricity Network subsidiary. In addition, the governor was preparing at least four bills that benefited the workers, though hardly help them cope with the discontent generated by the application, from Tuesday, a new minimum wage that has not stopped according to the unions.
 Although peaceful, the demonstrations in Ecuador and Venezuela were marked by social polarization promotes the style of their presidents. The followers of Rafael Correa and Hugo Chavez made his calls with the explicit purpose of highlighting the achievements of their efforts, while opposition groups organized their own setbacks with claims and complaints about the shortcomings of these socialist governments.
 Doomed to treatment being conducted to overcome the mysterious suffering from cancer since 2011, Chavez said his references to this day. Before leaving Cuba for a new series of radiation treatments, the president issued on Monday the new Labour Act, calling it "historic." Since Tuesday was limited to sending messages of support to the "working class" through his Twitter account.
 In Peru, Labor Day was the setting for a political dispute. Ollanta Humala president announced a second minimum wage increase, with news that tried to appease the emerging social conflicts that have been awakened. However, the General Confederation of Workers (CGTP) claimed that his government remains "the same system of exploitation" of the time of Alberto Fujimori (1990-2000).
 Perfect socialism was the call that led the celebrations in Cuba, at a time when the reforms adopted by Communism in recent times begin to alter a system that ruled for decades. The dictator Raul Castro led the massive but short memorial with calls for national unity and called for support for the changes.
 In Paraguay, the labor unions and unions held protest marches in Asuncion to demand better working conditions and repudiate a law regulating small and medium enterprises.The demonstrations highlighted the disagreement that exists right now between the government of Fernando Lugo and the guilds, which launched strong criticism.
 Were also loaded with political content demonstrations in Mexico. There, the Labour Congress made a strong appeal to the executive and the party to assume power after the presidential election in July to take the steps necessary to stop the violence.Independent trade unions, in turn, directly urged their members to vote for the leftist candidate Andres Lopez Obrador and punish the ruling Autonomist Party (PAN) and the traditional favorite and PRI.
 The opposite occurred in Uruguay, where the single federation of workers expressed PITCNT matches with the government of José Mujica, but also showed some differences. The president attended the event, although he was not. Another demonstration was called by a group of more radical unions who disagree with the current line of the labor confederation.
 The differences within the labor movement were also evident in Argentina. There, the General Confederation of Labour, led by Hugo Moyano, now estranged from the government of Cristina Kirchner, had no demonstrations. They were the opposing faction of the Central de Trabajadores Argentinos and leftist movements who staged the day with events in the capital.
 In Brazil, the slogan was "development with lower taxes and wages and jobs." In the main event in the Piazza Campo de Bagatelle, San Pablo, were united the unions General Workers Union, Forza Association, Central of Workers of Brazil (CTB), Nova Trade Union of Workers and General Confederation of Brazilian Workers. According to reports, the merger brought together more than a million people.
 The streets of the Central American capitals were the scene of the traditional marches of the public and private workers, accompanied by students and farmers from different points. Multicolored flags, clowns, masks and music troupes gave cheerful note to the day, which led unions in different sectors.
 In Honduras, at least 30,000 people marched through the capital, headed by former President Manuel Zelaya and his wife Xiomara Castro, who seek the presidency in the elections of 2013.
 In Guatemala, the veteran trade union leader José Pinzón said that "problems (labor) remain the same for 136 years, so can not give up our struggle." The demonstrators, about 8,000, also expressed opposition to the open pit mining in the country and announced an increase in electricity rates of between 6% and 15%.
 About 4,000 people protested in El Salvador by the lack of jobs, the high cost of living and low wages and proximity criticized the government of Mauricio Funes with the United States. "The workers are convinced that this government is more right than left right," he told AFP the general secretary of the General Public and Municipal Employees, William Huezo. "They have become rich while the people are starving, is not enough money, the taxes go up, wages are not increased and that must end," he complained.
 In Costa Rica, unions pointed their batteries for the defense of the Social Security Fund, CCSS, which runs through unprecedented financial crisis. About 7,000 demonstrators, including educators had a strong presence, walked about 15 blocks and planted at the headquarters of the CCSS, in the heart of San Jose, for shouting slogans against the government.
 Meanwhile, the Nicaraguan government suspended the march for workers to visit the place where the remains are being blurred by Tomas Borge, the last of the founders of the ruling Sandinista National Liberation Front (FSLN), which until now has been alive and died Monday at age 81. However, opponents marched in the east of Managua to demand more government jobs, price controls on basic food products, job security and fair wages.

Chavez enacted the mysterious Venezuelan labor lawBBC News, Caracas


 According to Chavez, the law seeks to end years of abuse the working class.Venezuela's President Hugo Venezuela, issued on Monday a new Labour Law for Workers and Workers (LOTTT), which the government considers "historic" and "first law in traffic and the construction of socialism", but that comes loaded with controversy over how it was approved.Although the government says it was debated for months by a presidential commission involving various sectors is not yet known the text of the regulations.Related ContentVenezuela: the "revolution" which does not bind his workersChavez said he would not give details of the "great achievements that this new law is", but stressed the novelties introduced.Among them: reducing the working week is reduced from 44 to 40 hours day, with a requirement for two consecutive days of rest, maternity leave will be extended from three months to six months old and compensation for unfair dismissal will double the current."As promised, I could not go to Cuba and leave pending the approval of the reform, article by article I have reviewed the final proposal submitted to the commission. I made some modest contributions, we have a new law to history," Chavez said in a ceremony at Miraflores Palace and broadcast radio and television.It was the first time the president appeared in public since early morning on Thursday returned to Venezuela from Cuba, where he spent 11 days under medical tramiento by cancer that afflicts him.Chavez also received approval to leave the country again for more than five days to travel to Havana, which is expected to occur on Monday, to face what he called "stretch" of treatment.Controversy"As promised, I could not go to Cuba without leave pending the approval of the reform, article by article I have reviewed the final proposal submitted to the commission. I made some modest contributions, we have a new law for the story"Hugo Chavez of VenezuelaThe law was enacted covered in the special powers that the Enabling Act, passed in December 2010 because of heavy rains, gave Chavez 18 months to rule by decree without control of the National Assembly.Although LOTTT be the organic law, must receive the approval of the Supreme Court."This bill I will send to the court review its legal status is the result of long years of struggle, attacks against the working class. The battle is still tough, not only against the bourgeoisie and the rebels, but also against lack of awareness and bureaucracy, "said Chavez.Although it takes months to prepare, the way to pass the law was fraught with uncertainty and it was only last week that the president began to tell through his Twitter account the main lines of the new regulations.José Vicente Carrasquero, a political scientist and professor at Simon Bolivar University, believes that adoption of the law now is a movement of electioneering ahead of elections on October 7.Farewell to the CommissionPresident Hugo Chavez announced Monday the creation of a Council of State to charge the first thing he said, will consider lifting the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR).He said that "while ago" that his country had to leave the body of the Organization of American States (OAS) in Washington.Chavez differences with the Commission are of long standing. Last September, the court demanded the lifting of the veto hanging over the opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez.In December, Venezuela was talk of "wrongful prosecution" by the Commission.Commission decisions are binding on its members. "The first country to know that American commission is the United States and is a mechanism used by that country against us," he said."Just that, and the need to appear as a government 'workerist' before the first of May, says that now come to agree on a standard that must pass under the Constitution for ten years," said Carrasquero told the BBC."They say the standard has been more debated, but the text is unknown. Not made in good discussion, and with the participation of entrepreneurs or workers not aligned with the government. The president made the election for a purpose" , said Carrasquero.The International Labour Organization states that the change of a labor law is given by consensus and by discussion with all stakeholders.And while Chavez has said the new law was made by the "workers and not by the bourgeoisie," very little was known of the regulation before its approval.However, the government argues that this standard was reached after collecting more than 19,000 proposals in a committee working since last year and believes the law "the most debated in the country's history.""No law has been discussed and debated more than this, after the Constitution, were assemblies, workers' requests that the Special Powers took over," the deputy said Monday Oswaldo Vera, president of the Standing Committee on Developing Social of the National Assembly."It was not done with the dome (business), but nevertheless we had meetings with the various chambers of workers" and developed "more than 1,200 base assemblies," said the deputy.What will change?"The changes announced by the president in the Labour Act are not as impressive as expected negatively (...) It was not until the law to understand its impact," said the director of public firm Datanálisis, Luis Vicente Leon."They say the standard has been more debated, but the text is unknown. Not made in good discussion, and with the participation of entrepreneurs or workers not aligned with the government. The president made the election for a purpose"José Vicente Carrasquero analystCarrasquero, meanwhile, considered "exaggerated" the "noise" around the LOTTT: "It lays down measures already in the previous law, as the prior tenure of pregnant women, cases in which only extends the time "."Reducing working hours is not. Venezuelans have long work eight hours Monday to Friday," he said.However, to Foreign Minister Nicolas Maduro the new law seeks to "ensure labor rights, give stability to workers and fair redistribution of wealth" and noted that the previous legislation passed in 1997, only intended to "flexible working conditions place in the country and establish conditions for the neoliberal system. "Maduro stressed that establishes LOTTT working conditions "according to a new egalitarian social model, a new economic model of production.