Three birds One shot

The consequences of Edward Snowden

Edward Snowden arrived at Hong Kong from Hawaii with four laptops and walked into the country as any businessman would do. The four computers allowed the ex-National Security Agency worker (NSA) to access some of the most highly classified and top secret documents of the US government. Once in Hong Kong he disclosed the information from a hotel at Hong Kong, within days he brought the media attention and became one of the most influential whistleblowers on the US history.

How did this happen? Snowden contacted a commentator of The Guardian who lived in Brazil and by encrypting e-mails he started to send him the first revelations like the existence of Prism. Prism is a program that allows the NSA to collect all information of the World´s leading technology companies. The Guardian was interested on listening more on what Snowden had to say and so they sent two journalists to meet him at Hong Kong.

After being interviewed Snowden started to release information. He talked about Prism; a program to spy on US citizens, he also said the US was spying on some European countries by using bugs and microphones. All this declarations produced a reaction over the world and Snowden said he did it because he felt that freedom was not being respected. Immediately US citizens and EU countries asked Washington to respond these accusations. Washington reacted and said this was made in order to protect their country.

After making these revelations, Snowden became the most wanted person of the US government. Snowden knew he had to move somewhere else. He went to Moscow airport but he remained on the transit zone what means he wasn’t on Russian territory. Snowden asked for asylum to different countries. Bolivia could be one of his options. Evo Morales was at Moscow attending a meeting. When he wanted to return to Bolivia his plane had a detour.

When Morales was going back to Bolivia; France, Spain, Portugal and Italy closed their air space what meant he couldn’t fly over these countries. The reason: A rumor that Edward Snowden was on board. He had to made an emergency stop at Vienna were the plane was checked voluntarily and it was proved that Snowden was not there. Morales finally made it to La Paz, but there was a new international conflict.

Many countries reacted angrily after this aggression. Morales declared the US was to blame and he showed defiant “Message to the Americans: The empire and its servants will never be able to intimidate or scare us" he said. South American countries felt humiliated after the behavior of the countries involved. The South American Nations Union (Unasur) convoked an extraordinary meeting to discuss this offense towards Morales. The objective of the meeting is to discuss if Unasur would take any actions after these events.   

Sebastian Figari

"I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities."

NELSON MANDELA “South African revolutionary and politician”

Rolihlahla Mandela was born on july 18th 1918, into the “Thembu” people of the “Madiba” clan in Qunu, Transkei, South Africa. His father Henry Mgadla Mandela, a local chief and counselor to the royal family died when he was nine and the boy was trained to become the next chief; but he chose to follow his political ideals. He was given the Christian name “Nelson” by a teacher at primary school. He went to Fort Hare University for a Bachelor in Art degree, but he participated in a student strike and was expelled in 1940. In 1941 he escaped from arranged marriage and went to Johannesburg where he completed his BA degree by correspondence. In 1943 he started to study law at Witswaterand University. That year he joined the “African National Congress” and later cofounded the African National Congress Youth League. (ANC: a national liberation movement, formed to fight for a united, non-racial, non-sexist and democratic society. Mandela has held various positions in the ANC: ANCYL secretary (1948); ANCYL president (1950); ANC Transvaal president (1952); deputy national president (1952) and ANC president (1991).

In 1952 he opened the 1st black law firm in Johannesburg with his partner, Oliver Tambo; they campaigned against apartheid, (oppression to black majority). In the 50´s, he received constant banning’s to resign officially from the ANC. From 1956 to 1961 he went on trial for treason. He defended himself and won. But in 1960, after a massacre of black South Africans at the town of Sharpeville the ANC was banned and he was detained until 1961 when he went underground to lead a campaign for a new national convention. He proposed to create the “Umkhonto we Sizwe” (MK), the military wing of the ANC, that made sabotages against government and economic installations.

In 1962 Mandela was sentenced to 5 years imprisonment with hard labour. During these years, he was charged in trial, with sabotage and sentenced to life imprisonment. He was jailed in Robben Island for 18 years and then transferred in 1982 to Pollsmoor Prison. He maintained his political principles and continued firming and diffusing his ideals into prison. His reputation grew and he became the major black leader of the country and was a symbol of resistance (meanwhile the anti-apartheid movement was strengthening). In the 70´s and 80´s he refused to compromise his political position and to renounce violence to obtain his freedom. But after difficult negotiations, President FW de Klerk raised the ban on the ANC and freed Mandela on February 11th 1990. Soon after, he and his people stopped armed struggle. Talks on creating a new multi-racial democracy for South Africa began. In 1993 Nelson Mandela and President de Klerk were awarded with the Nobel Peace Prize.

On May of 1994, Nelson Mandela became the 1st democratically elected State President of South Africa. For the 1st time all races voted. He governed until June 1999. Then he officially retired from public life and returned to live Qunu. Despite, he retired, he continued travelling, meeting leaders, collecting awards, assisting to forums, around the world. He has been working mostly in the Mandela Charitable Foundation and with “The Elders”, a group he founded that reunites leading world figures that offer their expertise and guidance "to tackle some of the world's toughest problems".

Nelson Mandela has been married with Evelyn Mase, in 1944 and divorced in 1958, after having two sons and two daughters; one daughter died as a baby and his son Makgatho died with 54 years of AIDS, that's why Mandela encourages people to prevent and fight AIDS. Then he married in 1958 Winnie Madikizela; she had an active role in the battle to free him, and had two daughters with her, before divorcing in 1996. And in his 80th birthday he married Graça Machel and they are married until today that he is 94 years old. Sadly he is suffering of recurring lung infection and was taken to the hospital last June 8th. By today, his health situation is very critical but stable. 

He represents struggle, sacrifice, empathy, charisma, integrity, and cleverness… He is very beloved and admired by his people and globally.

Alonso Padilla