Latin America

• Friday, June 24th 2011 - 19:59 UTC

  Venezuela’s Chavez health and prolonged recovery turns into political controversy

  

  Two weeks after surgery in Cuba, Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez is “stronger than ever” but will not rush home until he is ready, announced Defence minister General Carlos Mata Figueroa.

• Friday, June 24th 2011 - 11:32 UTC

  Chile’s largest indigenous group, Mapuches celebrate New Year

  

  When the sun began to set on Thursday evening, the Mapuche people prepared for one of the most ancient celebrations in their history: the We-tripantu, or the New Year.

• Friday, June 24th 2011 - 10:45 UTC

  Chilean officials fear Bolivia’s car amnesty program will encourage more thefts

  

  Bolivia’s government estimates that 85,000 cars will benefit from its new amnesty program that allows undocumented vehicles to register without prior paperwork. Chileans are not pleased about the path to immunity.

• Thursday, June 23rd 2011 - 13:23 UTC

  Chile’s fourth retail chain collapses under 1bn USD debt; super manager contracted

  

  La Polar, Chile’s fourth largest retail chain is in deep water. Company stock has fallen 80% in the last two weeks and the entire board of directors has offered to resign.

• Thursday, June 23rd 2011 - 09:10 UTC

  “Cork” of lava threatens new explosion at Puyehue volcano warns Chile

  

  Chilean experts warned Wednesday that a “cork” of lava could lead to another explosion at the Puyehue volcano, which has caused major flight disruptions from Argentina to Australia.

• Thursday, June 23rd 2011 - 08:52 UTC

  “Problematic” accounting practices in 37% of Cuban state companies audited

  

  “Deficient” or “problematic” accounting practices have been exposed in 37% of Cuban government companies according to the latest report from the Comptroller General, Gladys Bejerano.

• Thursday, June 23rd 2011 - 08:48 UTC

  LAN becomes best Airbus client in Latam: it ordered 20 Airbus A320neos

  

  Chile’s LAN Airlines has placed a firm order at the 49th Le Bourget Airshow for 20 eco-efficient Airbus A320neos as part of its expansion strategy and fleet-renewal program. The aircraft are expected for delivery 2017/2018.

• Wednesday, June 22nd 2011 - 23:54 UTC

  Solar energy conference in Chile brings together world experts

  

  Chile, a country where the demand for energy has skyrocketed over the past decade, experts are gathering to discuss another answer to Latin America’s increasing energy needs: solar power.

• Wednesday, June 22nd 2011 - 23:47 UTC

  Humala invites Morales to consider the re-unification of Peru and Bolivia

  

  Peruvian president elect Ollanta Humala invited his Bolivian peer Evo Morales to consider bilateral integration, in which both countries would unite into a confederation as happened between 1836 and 1839.

• Wednesday, June 22nd 2011 - 23:08 UTC

  Latam millionaires ‘smarter’ than Asia-Pacific peers during 2007/10 recession

  

  Millionaires in Latin America fared better than their compatriots in other regions during the global recession. A combination of a conservative investing streak and Latin America's brisk recovery helped millionaires in the region minimize losses in the last four years, according to the latest annual Merrill Lynch-Capgemini World Wealth Report.