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MercoPress, en Español

Montevideo, January 18th 2026 - 17:16 UTC

Chile

  • Monday, January 13th 2025 - 08:44 UTC

    Chile: Starwatching endangered by industrial project

    The Paranal Observatory is arguably South America's main such facility given the geographical conditions surrounding it which may be spoilt by the electricity company's plan

    The clarity of Chilean skies in the Atacama Desert may be in jeopardy given a project entertained by the electricity company AES Andes which could significantly affect the operations of the Paranal Observatory.

  • Wednesday, January 8th 2025 - 10:00 UTC

    Former Chilean guerrilla set free by Bolivian authorities

    Muñoz Hoffman was convicted in Chile for the murder of Senator Jaime Guzmán, among other crimes

    Former Chilean guerrilla Pablo Muñoz Hoffman of the Manuel Rodriguez Patriotic Front (FPMR), who was captured in Bolivia on Monday after 29 years at large, was set free on Tuesday instead of being extradited to his country as previously announced. He had escaped from prison in 1996 in a movie-style flight after which he vanished into thin air until this week.

  • Tuesday, January 7th 2025 - 09:45 UTC

    Fugitive Chilean guerrilla captured in Bolivia

    Muñoz Hoffman was the last fugitive of the four guerrillas who staged the legendary “Flight of Justice” in 1996

    Former Chilean guerrilla fighter Pablo Muñoz Hoffman was arrested Monday in La Paz, Bolivia, after 29 years at large following a movie-style jailbreak using a helicopter. Together with Mauricio Hernández Norambuena, Ricardo Palma Salamanca, and Patricio Ortiz Montenegro, all members of the now-defunct Manuel Rodríguez Patriotic Front (FPMR), they staged the so-called “Flight of Justice.”

  • Saturday, January 4th 2025 - 10:47 UTC

    Boric reaches South Pole

    “From here everything is north,” Boric said

    Chile's President Gabriel Boric Font Friday became the first Latin American leader and the third worldwide to reach the South Pole, thus consolidating his country's commitment to Antarctica. His feat followed in the footsteps of those authorities from New Zealand in 2007 and Norway in 2011. Boric dubbed his trip “a diplomatic, scientific, environmental and aeronautical milestone.” It also Chile as “the gateway to Antarctica,” he said.

  • Friday, January 3rd 2025 - 10:16 UTC

    Boric South Pole bound after weather problems ruled out

    Boric's journey is supported by the British Antarctic Survey and the UK's Antarctic Program, among other international partners

    Chilean President Gabriel Boric Font's trip to the South Pole was confirmed Thursday by the La Moneda Palace in Santiago after its feasibility had been questioned due to poor weather. The journey between Jan. 2 and 4, will include other officials as well as a scientific team to tour the Union Glacier Joint Scientific Polar Station and the Amundsen-Scott Base.

  • Friday, January 3rd 2025 - 10:10 UTC

    Covid-19 resurfaces abruptly in Bolivian Dept. of Santa Cruz

    Last week 14 Covid-related deaths were reported in Chile

    Health authorities in the Bolivian Department of Santa Cruz Thursday said that an “abrupt” increase in Covid-19 cases had been detected, due to which they encouraged residents to update their vaccination schemes and adopt all biosecurity protocols. A total of 290 infections were reported last week, 11 of which required hospitalization, including three under ventilation in intensive care units, and one death on Dec. 28. All 11 are unvaccinated patients, it was also explained.

  • Tuesday, December 24th 2024 - 10:23 UTC

    Chile apologizes for military helicopter flying into Argentine airspace

    “There was indeed an unauthorized overflight over Argentine airspace,” van Klaveren owned up

    Chilean authorities admitted Monday that a military helicopter had flown into Argentine airspace last Friday in the Patagonian province of Santa Cruz. Foreign Minister Alberto van Klaveren described the incident as “a mistake” and insisted that the case had been handled through the proper diplomatic channels. Argentina sent a consultation note on this matter, to which “a response has been given,” he explained.

  • Saturday, December 21st 2024 - 10:56 UTC

    Boric chooses brotherly approach after derogatory remarks from Argentine gov't

    “I prefer to speak positively,” Boric insisted

    After heavy criticism from the Argentine government of Javier Milei, Chilean President Gabriel Boric Font sought to calm down the diplomatic waters because heads of State “come and go but the people remain.” Boric also insisted that Argentina was “a brotherly” country.

  • Thursday, December 19th 2024 - 10:53 UTC

    Chile angry over “inaccurate” words from Argentine Economy Minister

    Chile neglected the cultural battle and is now ruled by a Communist who is about to sink the country, Caputo argued

    The Chilean Government of President Gabriel Boric Font sent a protest note through diplomatic channels to Argentina after Economy Minister Luis Toto Caputo dubbed the leftwing leader a “Communist” who was sinking his country. Santiago said Caputo made “inappropriate and inaccurate statements” during a radio interview with a Buenos Aires broadcaster.

  • Thursday, December 19th 2024 - 10:07 UTC

    Chilean lawmakers want steps taken to protect tourists

    “Australia's report comes to ratify previous warnings from the United States. This is no coincidence,” said Congressman Stephan Schubert of the Republican Party

    Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade issued a report warning travelers to Chile that “muggings, armed robberies, pickpocketing and bag snatching are common” there. Tourists need also be aware of scams targetting them such as staining their clothes to distract them and then stealing their belongings. In response, Chilean lawmakers requested a special session of the Foreign Affairs Committee in Congress.