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Ivan Fernandez

A.k.a. Afroxander; Weekend Editor at L.A. Taco and a lecturer at San Diego State University. He has covered arts, culture, history, politics, and sports with an emphasis on Latin America and its U.S. diaspora for over two decades.

Iran Hasn’t Officially Dropped Out Of The FIFA World Cup. But Will They Still Compete?

The back-and-forth between FIFA, Donald Trump, Iranian Sports Minister Ahmad Donyamali, and the Iranian National Team left plenty of doubt as to what will actually happen come June.

March 15, 2026

The World Cup is Still Happening This Summer, But It May Not Look As Planned

There’s a lot of confusion about what has and hasn’t happened with the World Cup in the past month. L.A. Taco separates the fact from fiction.

March 8, 2026

From Prison to Major Museums and His First Book, Mr. Wash Is Now Building a Community Art Center

Mr. Wash will celebrate the release of his book, “Artists In Space,” with a launch and artist conversation at his studio in Compton on March 7.

March 6, 2026

Who Had a Better Opening Weekend Tailgate: LAFC vs L.A. Galaxy? We Checked Out Both

Whether you root for Team Son, Team Reus, or Team Let’s-All-Have-A-Good-Time, last weekend’s back-to-back games and tailgates were bangers.

February 28, 2026

How Jim Henson’s Forgotten ’90s Puppet Entered Foo Culture and Is Feeding Our Endless Nostalgia Craving

Could the Sesame Street creator have ever imagined Baby Sinclair rocking a pair of Nike Cortez’?

February 21, 2026

Thousands March on City Hall in Support of Iranian Crown Prince’s Global Day of Action

Reza Pahlavi, son of the former Shah, has publicly supported and called for protests in Iran and abroad to support regime change against the Islamic Republic.

February 14, 2026

A Running List of Everyone Participating in the January 30 National Shutdown

Activists, businesses, nonprofits, and political groups in southern California will take part in various actions on Friday, January 30 as part of a nationwide effort in solidarity with the people of Minneapolis and the nationwide efforts to rein ICE and the DHS.

January 29, 2026

From World Cup Supporter to ICE Staging Area: The Two Faces of The Home Depot in 2026

“We Give Back” unless ICE calls: the hypocrisy behind The Home Depot’s family-friendly brand.

January 24, 2026

Protestors Rally in Pershing Square Against ICE and the Donroe Doctrine

A coalition of activist and political groups brought people out to the streets to protest ICE and the Trump administration’s attacks on Venezuela. Many also paid tribute to Renee Nicole Good, killed by ICE agent Jonathan Ross in Minneapolis, and Keith Porter, killed by an off-duty ICE agent in Northridge.

January 11, 2026

As the World Cup Nears, Bodies Pile Up in Guadalajara 

Authorities are currently investigating human remains found in nearly 500 bags spread across nearly two dozen clandestine grave sites.

December 23, 2025