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The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star
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The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star
The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star
Santiago Montañez Bertoletti

Santiago Montañez Bertoletti, Opinion Columnist

Santiago Montañez Bertoletti is a transfer student majoring in mechanical engineering. Santiago joined the Northern Star staff in the Fall of 2023 as an opinion columnist. He will graduate by 2027 and hopes to finish his initial career in Colombia. From Bogota D.C., Colombia, he enjoys playing soccer, chess and reading about everything on the internet. He is also a huge fan of Star Wars and history.

All content by Santiago Montañez Bertoletti
Chicago law enforcement officers intervene during a standoff with ICE and federal officers Sunday in Chicago. Opinion Columnist Santiago Montañez Bertoletti argues that President Donald Trump's views on immigration hurts the United States. (Reuters | Jim Vondruska)

Opinion: Trump’s policies revive anti-immigrant sentiment in US

By Santiago Montañez Bertoletti, Opinion Columnist
October 8, 2025
The Disney+ Star Wars TV series “Andor” is displayed on a TV. “Andor” originally premiered on Sept. 21, 2022, with the second and final season premiering on April 22, 2025. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)

Star Wars’ Andor draws on real-world history

By Santiago Montañez Bertoletti, Opinion Columnist
October 6, 2025
Students hold a Mexican flag as they march nearby the Holmes Student Center and the Peters Campus Life Building on Sept. 17, 2024. Opinion Columnist Santiago Montañez Bertoletti argues that more people should learn to speak Spanish. (Northern Star File Photo)

Opinion: The real importance of learning Spanish

By Santiago Montañez Bertoletti, Opinion Columnist
September 24, 2025
President Donald Trump speaks at a press conference on Thursday. Opinion Columnist Santiago Montañez Bertoletti argues that negotiations between Trump and Putin are failing. (Reuters | Leon Neal)

Opinion: Negotiations between Trump, Putin are failing

By Santiago Montañez Bertoletti, Opinion Columnist
September 18, 2025
U.S. President Donald Trump adjusts a hat that says USA on it on June 24 as he disembarks Air Force One. Opinion Columnist Santiago Montañez Bertoletti argues that Trump's tactics to bring jobs in the U.S has failed American workers. (Reuters | Brian Snyder)

Opinion: Trump’s tactics fail American workers

By Santiago Montañez Bertoletti, Opinion Columnist
September 11, 2025
President Donald Trump walks from the White House to the Trump National Golf Club on May 22 in Washington D.C., Opinion Columnist Santiago Montañez Bertoletti argues that everything the Trump Administration has done over the summer has been a failure. (Reuters | Evelyn Hockstein

Opinion: Trump’s summer agenda culminated in failure

By Santiago Montañez Bertoletti, Opinion Columnist
September 8, 2025
Fans pack the stands to watch NIU, then-ranked #23 in the nation and then-#2 in the Mid-American Conference, compete against the University of Buffalo on Sept. 21. Opinion Columnist Santiago Montañez Bertoletti believes that students should attend more NIU sports. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)

Opinion: More students should go to NIU games

By Santiago Montañez Bertoletti, Opinion Columnist
August 28, 2025
A pile of phones sits stacked on a desk. Opinion Columnist Santiago Montañez Bertoletti believes that phones should be allowed in schools. (Ethan Rodriguez | Northern Star)

Opinion: Phones should be allowed in schools

By Santiago Montañez Bertoletti, Opinion Columnist
August 25, 2025
A photo depicts former members of the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Opinion Columnist Santiago Montañez Bertoletti argues that people should care about the ongoing war occurring in Congo. (AP Photo/Moses Sawasawa, file)

Why you should care about the war in Congo

By Santiago Montañez Bertoletti, Opinion Columnist
April 10, 2025
A graphic depicts a disco ball, people in a band performing, a graduation cap and a timeline. Opinion Columnist Santiago Montañez argues that defining moments or lessons learned in life are important. (Emily Beebe | Northern Star)

Defining moments

By Santiago Montañez Bertoletti, Opinion Columnist
April 4, 2025
A photo depicts the Northern Star time capsule, set to be open at 4 p.m. April 16. What should be included in the next time capsule? (Ethan Rodriguez | Northern Star)

Poll: What should be in the next Northern Star time capsule?

By Colton Peterson and Santiago Montañez Bertoletti
April 2, 2025
A photo depicts protesters holding signs at a Pro-Palestine rally. Opinion Columnist Santiago Montañez Bertoletti argues that the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas will only be temporary. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)

Ceasefire between Israel and Hamas will not last

By Santiago Montañez Bertoletti, Opinion Columnist
February 28, 2025
A prison cell and a prisoner sit beneath the words “Look Both Ways” and above the topic of the week. Is the El Salvador prison system necessary? (Emily Beebe | Northern Star)

Look Both Ways: El Salvador prison system

By Santiago Montañez Bertoletti and Ethan Ernst
February 20, 2025
President Trump stands behind a podium and speaks Thursday at the White House. Opinion Columnist Santiago Montanez argues that Trump winning the 2024 presidential election may not be what people want, but it is not the end of the world. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Trump’s presidency is not the end of the world

By Santiago Montañez Bertoletti, Opinion Columnist
January 31, 2025
A profile picture and a rectangle with the word "upload" sit beneath the words “Look Both Ways” and above the topic of the week. Should TikTok be banned? (Emily Beebe | Northern Star)

Look Both Ways: Should TikTok be banned?

By Gray Edelstein and Santiago Montañez Bertoletti
January 30, 2025
DuSable Hall sits Friday evening as the sun sets in the background. Which building on campus is the best to have classes in or study in? (Sofia Howell | Northern Star)

Poll: Which NIU building is the best to take classes at or study?

By Santiago Montañez Bertoletti, Opinion Columnist
January 20, 2025
President Donald Trump wears a Make America Great Again hat, which shadows his face. On Aug. 11, Washington, D.C. was put under military occupation as part of an effort by President Donald Trump to crack down on crime in the nation’s capital. (Associated Press)

Trump’s plans for Ukraine should worry you

By Santiago Montañez Bertoletti, Opinion Columnist
December 2, 2024
A tax form and two arrows – one pointing up and the other pointing down – sit beneath the words "Look Both Ways" and above the topic of the week. Should taxes be lowered? (Jackson Shields | Northern Star)

Look Both Ways: Taxes

By Santiago Montañez Bertoletti and Lalita Rai
November 20, 2024
A protestor holds the Israeli flag during a protest following Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s dismissal of the Israeli Defense Minister Nov. 5. Opinion Columnist Santiago Montañez Bertoletti warns that if Israel continues to navigate conflicts with little regard for human life, it’ll be no better than the terrorist organizations it aims to defeat. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco, File)

Israel crosses dangerous moral lines

By Santiago Montañez Bertoletti, Opinion Columnist
November 18, 2024
Nuclear reactors, a solar panel and a wind turbine sit beneath the words “Look Both Ways” and above the topic of the week. Is nuclear or renewable energy more beneficial and realistic? (Lucy Atkinson | Northern Star)

Look Both Ways: Nuclear and renewable energies

By Ethan Ernst and Santiago Montañez Bertoletti
November 13, 2024
A graphic shows a man contemplating between two different sides: one filled with images of books and tests, the other with football and partying. Opinion Columnist Santiago Montañez Bertoletti believes that homecoming's placement in late fall semester presents unnecessary conflicts in a college student's life. (Jackson Shields | Northern Star)

Homecoming’s timing should change

By Santiago Montañez Bertoletti, Opinion Columnist
November 10, 2024
A graphic depicts a circle broken into two halves – one containing the Republican elephant, the other containing the Democratic donkey – as it explodes from within. Opinion columnist Santiago Montañez Bertoletti believes that America's two-party system should be broken up in favor of a flexible multi-party one. (Jackson Shields | Northern Star)

Third parties deserve more voice in US

By Santiago Montañez Bertoletti, Opinion Columnist
November 5, 2024
The word "Vote" is surrounded by various symbols representing issues important to the American public this presidential election. With just a few days until the election, which issue is most important to your vote? (Lucy Atkinson | Northern Star)

Poll: Which issue is most important to you this election?

By Santiago Montañez Bertoletti, Opinion Columnist
October 31, 2024
Emma Alquicira, a junior elementary education major, responds to a street interviews prompt in Spanish. What impact do you hope to make in your career? (Northern Star Graphic)

Spanish Street Interviews: What impact do you want to make?

By Lucy Atkinson and Santiago Montañez Bertoletti
October 21, 2024
A letter that reads “Por los que no están con nosotros,” or in English “For those who are not with us,” floats over a path of footprints surrounded by 20 Latin American flags. As Latino Heritage Month comes to an end, Opinion Columnist Santiago Montañez emphasizes the need to both celebrate the cultural impact of Latin American communities in the U.S. and remember the sacrifices made by Latin American immigrants. (Lucy Atkinson | Northern Star)

Por los que no están con nosotros

By Santiago Montañez Bertoletti, Opinion Columnist
October 16, 2024
Five segments display different popular board games, including checkers, chess, Clue, the Game of Life and backgammon. What is your favorite classic board game? (Jackson Shields | Northern Star)

Poll: What’s the best classic board game?

By Santiago Montañez Bertoletti, Opinion Columnist
October 15, 2024
Ukrainian soldiers honor fallen comrades from the Russo-Ukraine war Oct. 4. Opinion Columnist Santiago Montañez Bertoletti encourages American voters to consider each candidates’ goals for international policies, particularly concerning America’s role in international conflicts, this election. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)

International policies should influence your vote

By Santiago Montañez Bertoletti, Opinion Columnist
October 13, 2024
An alien head, a ringed planet and a trio of stars sit beneath the words "Look Both Ways" and above the topic of the week. Does life exist out in deep space? (Jackson Shields | Northern Star)

Look Both Ways: Life in Space

By Santiago Montañez Bertoletti and Jackson Shields
October 7, 2024
Former Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos speaks at a podium July 26, 2016 in Medellín, Colombia. Opinion Columnist Santiago Montañez Bertoletti witnessed the fight for Santos’ peace process with the guerrilla group FARC in the 2010s, which required the willpower of the people to achieve. (Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons)

Fight for peace

By Santiago Montañez Bertoletti, Opinion Columnist
October 6, 2024
North Carolina, a ballot box and a comment symbol sit beneath the words “Look Both Ways” and above the topic of the week. Mark Robinson, the Lieutenant Governor of North Carolina, is facing controversy after multiple offensive comments were traced back to him by CNN. (Lucy Atkinson | Northern Star)

Look Both Ways: Mark Robinson

By Santiago Montañez Bertoletti and Will Thiel
September 30, 2024
Many countries across both hemispheres of the globe are marked with black star symbols on a map. Each marking represents a country experiencing some level of conflict, from governmental repression to insurgency and border conflict wars, as mentioned by Opinion Columnist Santiago Montañez Bertoletti. The size of markings does not indicate level of conflict, and the placement of markings does not indicate regional zone of conflicts within countries, only the country itself. (Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons | Northern Star Graphic)

Expand your political activism beyond one issue

By Santiago Montañez Bertoletti, Opinion Columnist
September 25, 2024
Students wave Latin American flags during the Latino Resource Center’s parade for Latino Heritage Month on Monday. How are you celebrating Latino Heritage Month this year? (Marco Alvarez | Northern Star)

Poll: How are you celebrating National Latino Heritage Month?

By Santiago Montañez Bertoletti, Opinion Columnist
September 17, 2024
A rescue worker walks through the wreckage of a home after twin Russian bombings Sep. 1 in Kharkiv, Ukraine. Opinion Columnist Santiago Montañez Bertoletti believes supporting Ukraine in the Russia-Ukraine war is crucial to peace in Europe. (AP Photo/George Ivanchenko)

Ukrainian war, the cost of peace

By Santiago Montañez Bertoletti, Opinion Columnist
September 12, 2024
A figure in bed sits between a map icon for school and a map icon for home beneath the words "Look Both Ways" and the subject of the week: first-years on campus. Should first-years be required to live on campus? (Lucy Atkinson | Northern Star)

Look Both Ways: First-years on campus

By Santiago Montañez Bertoletti and Will Thiel
September 9, 2024
A plane symbol flies from the Colombian flag and an outline of Colombia to the United States' flag and an outline of Illinois. Opinion Columnist Santiago Montañez Bertoletti emigrated from Colombia three years ago. (Lucy Atkinson | Northern Star)

What I left behind in Colombia

By Santiago Montañez Bertoletti, Opinion Columnist
August 29, 2024
A computer in the Founder’s Memorial Library displays NIU’s 2024-2025 academic calendar. Some universities outside the United States rely on year-round academic calendars different from the calendar used at most American universities, like NIU. (Lucy Atkinson | Northern Star)

Consider year-round academic calendar

By Santiago Montañez Bertoletti, Opinion Columnist
August 25, 2024
Protesters march with Palestine flags during the first intifada in Dec. 1987 within the Gaza Strip. Hamas was formed as a Palestinian militant group in 1987 by Ahmed Yassin during the intifada, which was a Palestinian rebellion against Israeli occupation. (Efi Sharir / Dan Hadani collection / National Library of Israel / The Pritzker Family National Photography Collection)

Understand Hamas’ origins before condemning Israel

By Santiago Montañez Bertoletti, Opinion Columnist
April 29, 2024
An exam paper and six floating question marks rest under the word "Look Both Ways" and the topic of the week: standardized testing. Should standardized testing be eliminated or embraced? (Lucy Atkinson | Northern Star)

Look Both Ways: Standardized testing

By Santiago Montañez Bertoletti and Will Thiel
April 29, 2024
The University of Southern California lines up against the University of Louisville during the American football 2023 Holiday Bowl (left), and Atalanta soccer player Isak Hien charges for the ball alongside Verona player Federico Bonazzoli during the Italy Serie A soccer match on Monday. Which “football” deserves the title more: American football or soccer? (Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons and Spada/LaPresse via AP)

Poll: Which ‘football’ deserves the title most?

By Santiago Montañez Bertoletti, Opinion Columnist
April 16, 2024
A video surveillance camera and a school building rest under the words “Look Both Ways” and the topic of the week: Cameras in classrooms. Should there be cameras in classrooms? (Lucy Atkinson | Northern Star)

Look Both Ways: Cameras in classrooms

By Santiago Montañez Bertoletti and Alberto Briones
April 8, 2024
Two figures hold the Costa Rica and Puerto Rico flags while two figures in the back ask, "¿Estamos pintados o que?" which translated to English means "Are we paint on the wall or what?" to indicate someone is being ignored. The NIU Latino Resource Center needs to provide recognition of all Latino students – not just those with Mexican heritage – to truly be Hispanic-serving. (Christa Kim | Northern Star)

Represent all Latinos, NIU

By Santiago Montañez Bertoletti, Opinion Columnist
March 6, 2024
A mouse peers outward beneath the words “Look Both Ways” and the topic of the week: Animal testing. Is animal testing justified? (Lucy Atkinson | Northern Star)

Look Both Ways: Animal Testing

By James Bennett and Santiago Montañez Bertoletti
February 26, 2024
Santiago Montañez Bertoletti (left), Angelina Padilla-Tompkins, Emily Beebe and Ian Halterman sit in the Northern Star's podcast studio. Star Notes episode 5 discuss Star Wars: Bad Batch ahead of the third season's upcoming release. (Olivia Zapf and Brynn Krug | Northern Star)

‘The Bad Batch’ coming soon, Disney’s Star Wars vision

By Angelina Padilla-Tompkins, Emily Beebe, and Santiago Montañez Bertoletti
February 16, 2024
A screenshot from this week’s street interviews shows Opinion Columnist Santiago Montañez interviewing students Kennedy Smith (left) and Kailyn Williams. Senior Opinion Columnist Emily Beebe and Opinion Columnist Santiago Montañez asked students about the El Niño winter. (Anna Scanlan | Northern Star)

Street interviews: El Niño

By Emily Beebe and Santiago Montañez Bertoletti
January 18, 2024
An illustrated photo of Christopher Columbus sits behind the words, "Warning: This guy did not discover America." Columbus was no more than an infamous man in the newly unified Spain of the 15th century. (Daniela Barajas | Northern Star)

Christopher Columbus should not be celebrated

By Santiago Montañez Bertoletti, Opinion Columnist
October 8, 2023
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