Colombian elections 2022: Petro or Fico?
Colombia’s presidential elections are just around the corner (with a second round in June if no candidate obtains more than 50 per cent of the vote). With two main candidates on opposing sides of the political spectrum, what do…
The Day That Time Stopped: The Springs of Semuc Champey
Semuc Champey is one of Guatemala's most beautiful natural monuments: a natural 300 metre limestone bridge, under which passes the Cahabón River, and a series of the most incredible turquoise natural pools. It is, according…
‘Sully Night’ at the DARC Collective
‘Drawing is metaphysical striptease’ says Chilean artist Pato Bosich, one of three artists including Raul Pina Pérez and Jorge Rojas Goldsack, exploring the practice and experience of “Drawing.”
Convoque Seu Buda Criolo (Sterns)
The Latest album form the increasingly respected Brazilian rapper and soul singer.
Ana Moura at the Cadogan Hall
Ana Moura’s last week’s show in London sold out weeks in advance. Yet the selection of the Cadogan Hall in the heart of Chelsea – home of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO) – seemed a good choice. The venue provides the…
'City of a Thousand Trades', 'Imminent' and the 'Chacona'
Consisting of a 3 piece performance, including the works 'City of a Thousand Trades', 'Imminent', and the 'Chacona', a new piece curated by Carlos Acosta, this enjoyable and thought-provoking triple…
Things That Matter to…Carlos Paul
Carlos Paul is an award-winning singer songwriter, guitarist, producer and composer. Born in Quito- Ecuador, Carlos has been recording and performing and winning awards since 2000 including Best Latin Album and Male Vocalist,…
Voice in Residence
In the often vacuous world of Reggaeton, Residente has stood out as one of its most outspoken artists. Even at the Grammy Awards, where he has, perhaps surprisingly, won more than any other Latin artist, the former Calle 13…
Imagining Orwell
Award-winning Uruguayan photo-journalist Julio Etchart is one of the UK’s best known documentary photographers covering news, social and environmental issues for the international press and NGOs. His latest project is a…
‘MY IMAGINARY COUNTRY’ 2022, by Chilean director Patricio Guzmán
“When you want to film a fire, you have to be ready to be where the flames will first appear”. (Chris Marker) Chilean director Patricio Guzmán has created a moving documentary film, ‘My Imaginary Country’ in which he records the…
Leonor: The Story of a Lost Childhood
What the FARC? Women are the silent victims of Colombia’s conflict, exploited and abused by guerrillas as much as their enemiesGavin O’Toole reviews the book Leonor: The Story of a Lost Childhood by Paula Delgado-Kling. The…
Can “La Scaloneta” Do It Again? Argentina’s Road to the 2026 World Cup
In the first of our series on Latin American teams in the World Cup, we start with Argentina. It’s been over three years since that night in Lusail, but for many of us, the image of Messi finally lifting the trophy still feels…
The Charm of Old-School Spanish
If you like unpretentious class and great food, then Mayfair's back street secret Spanish hideout is for you, says Amaranta Wright
THE OCTOBER REGGAETON RECAP
Autumn is here in full force and it brings with it a mixed bag of artists with conflicted opinions. Ana Mena's latest single sees her moving on from her former lover and seeking revenge, o while Tini is craving her past…
New Spanish Cinema - Daniel Monzon and Film Philosophy at its best
On the DVD release of Cell 211, Latinolife interviews Daniel Monzón, one of the new great directors of Spanish Cinema, Daniel Monzón reveals his passions and fears during the making of his film, which ended in some unexpected,…
David Bisbal's Fantasy Island Tracks
If you were stranded on a desert Island, which tracks would you absolutely need to have to get you through those times of loneliness and despair? Man cannot live on sun and fish alone right? Our castaway, Spain's biggest…
Danilo Perez' Fantasy Island Tracks
If you were stranded on a desert island, which tracks would you absolutely need to get you through those times of despair? Our castaway this month is Danilo Perez, the composer and pianist who has put Panama on the map of…
VAN VAN Tracks That Rock the Dancefloor
Call it Salsa or Songo, Los Van Van is the most iconic post-revolution Cuban band. They combine that high-octane, adrenaline-fuelling energy driven by their salsa cum funk rythmns, and the sweetness of their melodies provided by…
CULTURA CIRCULAR: WHEN THE BEAT SPEAKS PORTUGUESE AND ENGLISH
What happens when a South London artist who raps in Portuguese, English and Spanish with roots in Angola meets one of Brazil’s foremost percussion outfits? “It feels like the circle is closing,” answers Afrocidade, the…
The Amazon: Biden and Bolsonaro's no- deal
The United States and Brazil have been conducting closed door negotiations to broker an Amazon rainforest protection agreement — with the U.S. and other nations tentatively to provide significant funding, and Brazil possibly…
Mexico Unlimited
Amaranta Wright basks in the stunning combination of ancient civilisations and Caribbean luxury in a family trip to the Yucatán peninsular, combining road trip adventure and resort comforts.
In Praise of the Transitional
The half-Argentine, half-Chilean journalism student turned film-maker is emerging as one of a generation of Latin American directors taking over Hollywood. With his deeply moving film 'A Fantastic Woman' about love,…
Gay Marriage Legalized in Argentina Despite Huge Opposition From Church
On Thursday the 15th of July, Argentina became the first country in Latin America to legalize gay marriage, granting to gay and lesbian couples the same legal rights and benefits that heterosexual couples have traditionally…
Love Is (Not) All You Need?
Some say that people of all cultures use the word ‘love’ to describe a feeling they get when someone meets their needs. In the view, we invest emotions in what is in fact a transactional affair. So what is love between Cubans and…
LatinoLife's Christmas Wish List
Winter is upon us, Christmas is near, and nothing cheers us up more than bringing a bit of Latin American pazzazz to our very British Christmas menus. Here’s our selection of must haves from the Latin Xmas hamper
The Two Faces of Norway’s Rainforest Policies
Norway's government gives millions to Brazil for rainforest conservation, while Norsk Hydro's mines and smelters clear, pillage and pollute.
Don Chezina, Wisin and Jon Z will put you on the beat of "3G
In the firstly, Wisin has united his voice to that of the Puerto Ricans Don Chezina and Jon Z for a new song that promises to make all reggaeton lovers to dance.
LEON KING
For a country that has given Latin America its most phenomenal and popular male vocalists (and songwriters), it is no surprise that Mexico has also produced some of the world's greatest operatic tenors, such as Ramón Vargas,…
FILMS TO WATCH BEFORE YOU DIE #10: AMORES PERROS (2000) Dir. Alejandro González Iñárritu
“To make God Laugh, tell him your plans.” In this intense and gritty debut feature by Academy Award-winning director Mexican Alejandro G. Iñárritu (who went on to make Birdman, The Revenant) and starring Gael García Bernal, no…
In Colombia, Who Needs to Invent a False Victim, President Santos?
While Santos enjoys an official visit to the UK, his inflamatory remarks about a group of human rights lawyers who have worked for years to end impunity in Colombia, has left them fearing for their lives in Bogotá. What does this…
London Londoner #15...Graciela Sanchez
Born in Mexico City, a slight and pretty 17-year-old joined the Ballet Folklorico. Fifty years on Graciela is one London’s outstanding Latin citizens, and her LUKAS award-winning cultural consultancy Mexicolore, that she runs…
Brazil’s MST: challenging power structures and the need for ‘historic patience’
In the wake of an alleged 'political coup' in Brazil, which has seen former left-wing president Ignacio Lula da Silva convicted and his successor Dilma Rousseff impeached, Movimento Sin Terra leader Gilmar Mauro…
When Fado met Rock ‘n’ Roll, and Beyond
Ana Moura first burst onto the international scene in 2011, when she was hailed by the media as a ‘prodegée’ of Prince and Mick Jagger. But beyond this rather colonialist view (the Portuguese singer was a fully-fledged artist…
Emotional Estuaries
Emotions fly on the waterways of London. ANCHOR & HOPE (Tierra Firme), the second feature by Carlos Marqués-Marcet who wowed audiences with his debut feature film ‘10.000km’, a drama about friendship and motherhood. Set in…
The Good Vibe
Not only did he showcase Bossa Nova to the world, Sergio Mendes personifies how you don’t have to be a shark to succeed in the global music business. The Brazilian music legend reminisces with Amaranta Wright on an amazing music…