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Cristina Fernandez has over 2.2 million Twitter fans.Photo: AP

Tweets are tops for Latin America’s new leaders

When Argentina's President Cristina Fernandez uses Twitter, controversy often follows. Although tweet discussions range in content and frequency, there's never a lack of debate.

AP

When Argentina's President Cristina Fernandez uses Twitter, controversy often follows. Although tweet discussions range in content and frequency, there's never a lack of debate.

Fernandez, who almost never gives interviews or takes questions from reporters, often uses her official Twitter account, which claims more than 2.2 million followers, as a direct connection to the people.

There was that time when she sent more than 60 tweets in a single day after a wide protest by thousands of Argentines critical of her government. Or the many times she has attacked her political opponents and media outlets, accusing them of twisting the truth and defaming her.

Then, there are lighter tweets: pictures with Pope Francis, a boxing champion, her dogs, and even musings over her favourite TV show.

"I'm a fan of the series . I love it," Fernandez tweeted on April 28.

"When the DirecTV people came to see me to announce some investments I asked them if they could please get me season three. I'm sure that tomorrow someone from the opposition will denounce me for asking and receiving gifts."

In a major departure from Fidel Castro's four-hour speeches, Twitter's 140 characters or less have become a leading communication tool for presidents throughout Latin America.

An example of this was seen recently when Bolivia's Evo Morales' plane was grounded in Vienna amid incorrect suspicions that National Security Agency leaker Edward Snowden was on board. The region's leaders used Twitter to express their disapproval.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has used Twitter to argue with former Colombian president Alvaro Uribe and Puerto Rican singer Ricky Martin. He often slams Venezuela's rich, makes grammatical errors, and fondly remembers his mentor and predecessor, the late Hugo Chavez.

For many Venezuelans, monitoring Twitter became a must after Chavez joined the social-media platform in April 2010.

Venezuelan officials "don't communicate first by television, radio or a speech, but through Twitter," said Javier Pereira, the newspaper's website coordinator.

"That has caused us to be alert, monitoring constantly."

Venezuela, along with Brazil and Argentina, ranks among the world's top 10 users of Twitter.

This article appeared in the South China Morning Post print edition as: Tweets are tops for new generation of leaders
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