Stories for January 16th 2013
Maduro delivers state of the nation speech and announces new Foreign minister
Venezuela President Hugo Chávez has decided to appoint Elías Jaua as the new Minister of Foreign Affairs, announced Venezuelan Vice-President Nicolás Maduro during the Tuesday session at the National Assembly when he submitted the Yearly Report for fiscal year 2012.
Chile mining industry expects 100bn dollars investment in next twelve years
Chile is expecting investments in the mining industry of 100 billion dollars in the next twelve years, of which 48bn in the eight year period to 2020 and mostly in cooper according to the National Mining Society, Sonami.
Cristina Fernandez has hand-written copies of Chavez political testament, says Bocaranda
Argentine president Cristina Fernandez in her recent visit to Cuba declined to see the ailing Hugo Chavez but surprised her hosts, the Castro brothers, when she revealed having received two letters from the Venezuelan leader which she considered to be his political testament.
Argentina and United Arab Emirates sign nuclear energy agreement
Ministers from Argentina and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have signed a memorandum of understanding on peaceful uses of nuclear energy during the official visit to Abu Dhabi of Argentine president Cristina Fernandez.
Last year’s official inflation in Argentina: 10.8%, less than half private estimates
Official inflation in Argentina was 1% in December ending the twelve months at 10.8%, which is less than half private agencies average estimate regularly released as the Congressional index, which was 2.1% and 25.6%, respectively.
Maradona declares devotion to Cristina, as he did to all previous presidents
Diego Maradona came on stage in the United Arab Emirates to defend President Cristina Fernández saying that “all Argentines must be proud of the government we have” and attacked some members of the opposition arguing they “can’t even cook a decent stew”.
Chilean government in contacts with Mapuches to find solution to the conflict
The Chilean government started contacts in an attempt to ease tension and find solutions to the escalating conflict with the indigenous Mapuche in the southern province of La Araucania which has seen killings and properties torched.
Record tourist arrivals in Chile during 2012: 3.5million. Target for this year: 4m
Chile received a total of 3.5 million foreign tourists in 2012, a 13% hike over the year before and an all-time record. The 13% gain far outpaced the 6% increase that Latin America scored as a whole last year, Chile's deputy secretary for tourism, Jacqueline Plass, said.
Statement on Falklands expected from South Atlantic peace zone meeting
Representatives from 21 African and South American countries are debating in Uruguay the consolidation of the South Atlantic as a zone free of massive destruction arms and its “improper militarization”, as a result of the growing tension between the UK and Argentina over the Falkland Islands.
