Latin America

Thursday, March 4th 2010 - 04:31 UTC
Santiago airport reopens domestic terminal and activity should reach 50%

Passenger traffic at Santiago de Chile’s main airport should reach 50% of normal activity on Thursday following the increase in commercial airlines flight numbers and the reopening of the domestic air terminal, reports the Chilean Civil Aeronautic Agency.
Thursday, March 4th 2010 - 00:52 UTC
Venezuelans reluctant to save power and generation approaching critical situation

The water level of Venezuela’s El Gurí dam which provides 75% of the country’s power is rapidly approaching the “critical zone” having dropped to 254 metres, just 14.45 metres from “collapse point” warned President Hugo Chavez.
Thursday, March 4th 2010 - 00:33 UTC
Cement maker shares soar in Chilean markets on reconstruction expectations

Chilean cement maker Melon led earnings in the IPSA stock market Wednesday operations with shares soaring 68% on expectations that the company would benefit from reconstruction efforts. Nevertheless, the IPSA select index fell 1.36% to 3708.91.
Thursday, March 4th 2010 - 00:31 UTC
Chilean navy accepts responsibility for untimely warning on tsunami

“The epicentre is on land, therefore there should be no tsunami”. That was the information that the Chilean Navy -through its hydro-graphic and oceanographic office “Shoa”- delivered to President Michelle Bachelet in a communication at 05:20 am on Saturday.
Wednesday, March 3rd 2010 - 07:26 UTC
Falklands send message of sympathy and support to the Chilean people

The Falkland Islands government sent on Tuesday a message (in English and Spanish) of sympathy and support to the Chilean people “at this terrible time of tragedy”.
Wednesday, March 3rd 2010 - 07:19 UTC
Santiago airport gradually returns to activity: mounts two huge tents

Santiago’s airport is gradually resuming activity recovering from Chile Saturday’s devastating quake and on Tuesday should complete 20 domestic and 20 international flights, (12% of its normal activity) according to Jose Huepe, head of the country’s Civil Aeronautic agency.
Wednesday, March 3rd 2010 - 07:14 UTC
US pledges long term relief for earthquake ravaged Chile

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton arrived in Brasilia Tuesday night for meetings with Brazilian leaders after a stop in Chile where she pledged long-term US relief help for the earthquake-ravaged country. Chilean officials say damage estimates range in the billions of dollars.
Wednesday, March 3rd 2010 - 07:03 UTC
Hillary meets President Bachelet pledges US support for quake-stricken Chile

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton pledged U.S. support Tuesday to earthquake-stricken Chile during the third stop on her six-nation tour of Latin America. Clinton told reporters in Santiago the US stands ready to help Chile in any way the government needs.
Wednesday, March 3rd 2010 - 06:53 UTC
Uribe’s presidential candidate leads in polls but could face run-off

Former Colombian Defence Minister Juan Manuel Santos leads the race to succeed President Alvaro Uribe in a May election after a court barred the president from seeking re-election, according to a public opinion poll released this week.
Wednesday, March 3rd 2010 - 06:51 UTC
Venezuela’s economy contracts 3.3% in 2009; modest forecast for 2010

Venezuela's economy fell by 3.3% in 2009 after contracting 5.8% in the last quarter, informed the Central Bank of Venezuela (BCV) which blamed the global crisis and falling prices for oil the country’s main export.