Latin America

• Saturday, January 9th 2010 - 14:01 UTC

  Mr. Bean, the Spanish EU presidency and the next six months

  

  Spanish diplomacy, authorities and the press have repeatedly insisted, with a certain degree of optimism, that with Madrid holding the six-month presidency of the EU, Latinamerica will be a priority.

• Saturday, January 9th 2010 - 13:58 UTC

  Peruvian president anticipates “electoral crisis” but promises stability

  

  Peruvian president Alan García forecasted an “electoral crisis” in 2010 because of the political appetites of the opposition, but promised Peru will successfully overcome the situation it as it has done with the global economic turbulences.

• Saturday, January 9th 2010 - 13:52 UTC

  Chile to test first deep-water salmon farming project

  

  A new system for deep-water salmon farming is planned to rock the waters of Chile and Latin America.

• Saturday, January 9th 2010 - 13:45 UTC

  Morales chooses former Miss Bolivia to run for governor in opposition stronghold

  

  Former Miss Bolivia Jessica Jordan, 24, accepted an invitation from President Evo Morales to run for governor of Beni province as a member of his Movement Toward Socialism party in April 4 regional elections.

• Saturday, January 9th 2010 - 13:30 UTC

  Almost 500 Cuban doctors defected to the US while serving in Venezuela

  

  Around 500 Cuban doctors have defected to the United States while serving on aid missions in Venezuela, according to members of Cuban exile groups in Miami. The latest case occurred this week when seven Cuban physicians managed to leave Caracas’ Maiquetia International Airport, after being held there for several hours and after paying hundreds of dollars each to officials.

• Saturday, January 9th 2010 - 08:23 UTC

  Central Bank of Chile is releasing a new 10,000 Pesos note

  

  After 20 years in circulation, the current 10,000 Chilean peso bill will be replaced this coming year, courtesy of commercial banks.

• Friday, January 8th 2010 - 12:49 UTC

  Barrick Gold mine project threatens glaciers claims Chilean government

  

  Canadian mining giant Barrick Gold, the owner of what would be Chile’s largest gold mine, Pascua Lama, could face legal sanctions after Chile’s national water commission (DGA) reported that the company is failing to comply with Chile’s environmental laws.

• Friday, January 8th 2010 - 06:48 UTC

  Latinamerica’s 2009 trade contracts 24% in value, the worst since 1973

  

  Latinamerica and Caribbean exports plunged 24% in value last year compared to 2008 because of the international crisis, according to the latest estimates from the United Nations Economic Commission for Latinamerica and the Caribbean, Cepal, released Thursday in Santiago de Chile.

• Friday, January 8th 2010 - 05:59 UTC

  Chilean bottled wine sales soar 60% in November; UK and US main markets

  

  Confidence is high among Chilean winemakers with information released this week showing a 60% increase in exports for November 2009, compared to the same month in 2008.

• Thursday, January 7th 2010 - 17:24 UTC

  Beaches in south Chile closed because of swarms of jelly fish

  

  Beaches near the city of Osorno in southern Chile have closed due to swarms of jellyfish populating the shores. At least 40 people have reported being stung by the tiny jellyfish. According to health reports, the stings produce a painful skin inflammation.