Latin America enters 2007 with renewed political leadership and generally booming economic prospects but highly dependent on the current global bullish market for commodities.
Ecuadorian President-elect Rafael Correa appointed this week seven women to his Cabinet, including the country's first female Defence minister, saying he wanted to promote gender equality.
Chile's government oil corporation ENAP announced this week investments totaling 4.5 billion US dollars in the coming four years, 2007/2011, emphasizing exploration and production and the construction of refineries.
Tourist activity in Chile expanded 11.5% during 2006 and is forecasted to grow an additional 14% this coming summer season (January, February) according to the National Tourism Office, Senatur.
The lack of news about the health condition of Cuban president Fidel Castro who underwent serious surgery last July, Cubans are anxiously waiting for their leader's traditional New Year's message when the island celebrates the 48th anniversary of the revolution, according to press reports from Havana.
Three of Chile's leading environmental scientists are on board the Swedish ice-breaker Oden on a 14-day voyage to study the effects of climate change on the southernmost continent.
An airpower milestone was reached last week when the first ever US Air Force C-17 Globemaster III completed an airdrop mission that delivered about 70,000 pounds of supplies to the South Pole.
Chile's fisheries exports reached 1.24 billion US dollars during the first ten months of 2006, which represents a 7.9% increase over the same period a year ago according to the country's National Fisheries Society, Sonapesca.
The US dollar closed in Chile at its highest in two months last week, 531 pesos, following the continuous drop in copper prices, the country's leading export.
BUENOS AIRES — Chilean private company Sky Airline, which currently serves the Chilean domestic market, said that it is planning an imminent expansion of its route network to Córdoba and Mendoza in central Argentina, as part of wider plans to also fly to Sao Paulo, Lima and Madrid.