Latin America

by Robert Valencia

Nikki Froneman is a South African arts producer and occasional theatre director. She holds an Honours degree in Drama from the University of Cape Town and a Marketing and Business Management Diploma from Damelin College. Nikki has been living in Latin America since April 2006 and currently lives in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

In an unnamed Latin-American country, a group of archaeologists work patiently on a site deep in the jungle. An older man leads a team of what seem to be archaeology students or trainees. A few older women are at the site as well, although they seem not to be taking part in the dig.

Another man is summoned to the site, although not to assist the team. His arrival stirs up the friendly atmosphere of the expedition, and long-suppressed emotions surface.

In many ways, Oliver Stone’s latest documentary film South of the Border is a mirror image of the 2004 film adaptation of The Motorcycle Diaries. In this latter film, based on the journals of a young Ernesto “Che” Guevara, two young idealists strike out across the South American continent on a motorcycle in search of adventure, but instead find passion, resilience, and a Latin American identity that transcended all political borders.

Audio interview with Emilio Betances, a Professor of Sociology and Latin American Studies at Gettysburg College. He has published two books on the Dominican Republic and currently does research on social movements in Latin America.

Further Resources:

Gettysburg College Faculty Author Series

The gathering of Latin American leaders in Cancun, Mexico on February 23 grabbed the headlines after its 32 participants pledged to create a Community of Latin American and Caribbean States. The new alliance, which includes Cuba and excludes the United States and Canada, was conceived as an alternative to the Organization of American States (OAS), a regional institution established in 1948 to fight communism and promote democracy and human rights.