Latin America

Wednesday, October 14th 2009 - 03:57 UTC
Chilean government announces major Mapuche land repatriation

Chile’s government last week announced plans to purchase and return 33,000 hectares (more than 80,000 acres) to indigenous communities in southern Region IX, paying record prices for estates that have become emblematic to the native Mapuche cause
Tuesday, October 13th 2009 - 23:46 UTC
Bachelet celebrates Chile’s qualification for World Cup in South Africa

President Michelle Bachelet this weekend celebrated Chile’s 4 – 2 victory on Saturday over Colombia, a victory that assured Chile a berth at the upcoming World Cup soccer tournament in South Africa in 2010.
Tuesday, October 13th 2009 - 05:02 UTC
Chilean Tierra del Fuego to promote tourism as the main industry

An innovative and aggressive program to promote Chilean Tierra del Fuego tourism as its most dynamic industry is to be implemented between government, the private sector and international advisory organizations, according to reports in Punta Arenas La Prensa Austral.
Tuesday, October 13th 2009 - 04:50 UTC
Pickets lifted for the crucial World Cup qualifier Uruguay/Argentina

FIFA has more country members that the United Nations and is proving more effective than even the International Court of The Hague: Argentine pickets blocking for almost two years an international bridge will lift the ban so Argentine fans can cross to Uruguay for the South Africa Soccer World Cup qualifier.
Tuesday, October 13th 2009 - 04:01 UTC
Mexican government fights waste, inefficiency and takes over energy plant

Mexico has closed a state-run energy distribution firm with about 40,000 employees and 25 million customers, blaming the scale of its losses. Federal police seized the offices of Luz y Fuerza del Centro on Saturday night when the city was celebrating Mexico’s qualifier to the South Africa World Cup.
Monday, October 12th 2009 - 10:53 UTC
Chile, Costa Rica, Uruguay best performers in democratic development

Chile, Costa Rica and Uruguay have the highest democratic development in Latinamerica while Guatemala and Bolivia stand at the opposite end of the ranking. The index measures among other things respect for political rights, civil liberties, institutional quality and the capacity of the different governments to deliver.
Monday, October 12th 2009 - 10:50 UTC
Avianca and Taca create a major Latinamerican airlines holding

Two of Latinamerica's best known airlines are set to merge in a deal aimed at cost-cutting. Avianca of Colombia and El Salvador's Taca will join forces, but have said that each will maintain its own identity and operate separately. The two airlines have about 130 planes and some 13,000 employees.
Monday, October 12th 2009 - 08:28 UTC
Punta Arenas anticipates a weaker 2009/2010 cruise season

Punta Arenas in the extreme south of Chile is anticipating a weaker cruise season for this 2009/2010 summer because of the global crisis. The number of calls is expected to drop 12.3% (17 less) totalling 79.950 passengers and 38.357 crew members, according to Punta Arenas Austral Port Authority, EPA.
Monday, October 12th 2009 - 08:22 UTC
ALBA summit in Bolivia to speed economic integration

The ALBA, Bolivarian Alternative for the Americas, meets this week in Bolivia with economic integration as the main issue of the agenda.
Monday, October 12th 2009 - 08:03 UTC
Chilean safeguard 15% tariff on dairy imports does not apply in Punta Arenas

The 15% safeguard tariff imposed by the Chilean government on imports of powder milk (whole and skimmed) and certain types of cheese from Argentina and Uruguay, does not apply to Punta Arenas in the extreme south of the country.