Stories for May 2004
Pta. Arenas season: 64 cruise calls and 41,980 visitors
The Punta Arenas port authorities (Empresa Portuaria Austral) described the last cruise season that concluded April 17 as a great success with 64 calls from foreign vessels and 30 from the local “Mare Australis”. Seventeen of the calls were during January and February, the months of most activity.
Chile has trade access to 49% of world's GDP
The expansion of the European Union means Chile now has 38 free trade agreements, second only to Mexico and ahead of Israel.
Argentina launches plan to save energy
Argentina last weekend launched a plan to reduce domestic energy consumption in an effort to confront the country's deepening energy crisis. The government also confirmed that in the coming days it will be announcing an “integral energy plan” to “resolve once and for all Argentina's energy problems”.
Mexico, Peru Recall Ambassadors From Cuba
Relations between Cuba and Mexico continued to worsen Monday when the Fidel Castro regime accused the government of Mexican President Vicente Fox of arrogance, mendacity and stupidity.
Argentina promotes sheep farming recovery
Argentine lamb exports this year jumped 61%, price of wool doubled and sheep are returning to Patagonia but also to the pampas and the province of Buenos Aires.
A 6,3 seism hits Southern Chile
A 6.3 magnitude earthquake shook southern Chile early Monday causing power outages and minor property damage, but no injuries.
Malvinas' sovereignty: “indeclinable objective”
“Recovering sovereignty over the Malvinas Islands is an indeclinable objective of all Argentina and particularly for this administration”, said this Monday Argentine Defence Minister Jose Pampuro during the ceremony to honour the 323 dead when the sinking of the battleship “General Belgrano” by a Royal Navy nuclear submarine May 2nd, 1982.
Mexico is Latin America's major economy
Mexico consolidated in 2003 as the major economy of Latinamerica with a GDP of 626 billion US dollars, ahead of Brazil with 498 billion US dollars, according to a report from consultants Global Invest.
US Jewish Community honours Kirchner
Argentine president Nestor Kirchner travels this Monday to New York and Washington where he will be honoured by the American Jewish community and participate in a Forum on Argentina organized by the Council of the Americas. However Mr. Kirchner is not scheduled to meet any official from the US President Bush administration.
Chile attracts more foreign tourists
Foreign tourists in Chile during the first quarter of 2004 increased 21,1% compared to the same period in 2003, reaching 600,000 according to the Chilean Tourist Service, Senatur.
