Chile

Monday, August 24th 2020 - 08:25 UTC
Covid-19 controversy in Punta Arenas: Chief Medical Officer resigns following ministerial criticism

The Chief Medical Officer from Magallanes Region, extreme south of Chile resigned following an outbreak of Covid-19 cases in Punta Arenas and serious statements from the Chilean minister of Health which were interpreted as criticisms towards the management of the pandemic
Monday, August 24th 2020 - 08:23 UTC
Chile slaps record fine of US$ 6 million on Norwegian salmon farming company for the escape of 700,000 fish

Chile's environmental protection service said on Friday it had slapped a record US$ 6.6 million fine on a Norwegian salmon producer for the 2018 escape of 690,000 antibiotic-fed fish.
Friday, August 21st 2020 - 10:59 UTC
UN water rights expert questions Chile for placing economic development over human rights

Chile on Thursday faced questioning by a United Nations water rights expert who suggested the government could be placing economic development over human rights through controversial agriculture and energy projects.
Friday, August 21st 2020 - 09:07 UTC
Chile preparing protocols to regulate the October plebiscite voting

The Chilean congress passed a measure to ensure that safety protocols will be regulated at voting booths during the plebiscite this October. The measure states that the Electoral Service will dictate safety rules regarding social distancing for voting throughout the country.
Wednesday, August 19th 2020 - 09:40 UTC
Chile's GDP plunged 14,1% in the second quarter; mining the only positive sector

Chile's gross domestic product (GDP) plunged 14.1% in the second quarter, the Central Bank said on Tuesday, after the coronavirus pandemic mauled economic activity with the exception of the vital mining sector. Among the worst-hit sectors were manufacturing, construction and the hotel and restaurant sector. In the first quarter, the Chilean GDP had increased slightly by 0.2%.
Wednesday, August 19th 2020 - 09:10 UTC
Mapuche leader on hunger strike reaches understanding with Chilean government

A Chilean indigenous leader who has spent more than 100 days on hunger strike over his detention during the coronavirus pandemic has agreed to end it after negotiations with the government, the justice minister said on Tuesday.
Monday, August 17th 2020 - 08:52 UTC
Indigenous people in Chile fighting to have top lithium miner permits revoked

Indigenous groups in Chile´s lithium-rich Atacama salt flat, fresh off a resounding legal victory earlier this week, said they will push to see top lithium miner SQM´s environmental permits revoked and its operations shut down.
Monday, August 17th 2020 - 08:49 UTC
UN sends fact finding mission to Chile where Mapuches are on hunger strike

The United Nations has sent a fact-finding team to Chile's restive Araucania region where a jailed Indigenous Mapuche leader has spent more than 100 days on a hunger strike over his detention during the coronavirus pandemic.
Saturday, August 15th 2020 - 09:22 UTC
Chile: some 14 million have received some form of social support

Chilean President Sebastian Pinera said on Friday that more than one million people had received the government's US$ 626 spot payment aimed at staving off the economic effects of the coronavirus pandemic and it had approved more than 550,000 requests for soft loans of up to US$ 815.
Thursday, August 13th 2020 - 06:57 UTC
Chilean central bank allowed to buy treasury bonds, as “a tool of exceptional use”

Chile’s Congress has approved a law to allow the central bank to buy bonds issued by the country’s treasury in the secondary market, potentially giving the bank added firepower to help offset fallout from the COVID-19 crisis.