Latin America

Wednesday, September 2nd 2009 - 13:48 UTC
Colombian lawmakers pass Uribe re-election bill

Colombian lawmakers passed a bill on Tuesday aimed at allowing President Alvaro Uribe to seek a third consecutive term if the conservative U.S. ally chooses to run for re-election next May.
Wednesday, September 2nd 2009 - 13:23 UTC
Amnesty International calls for an end to the US embargo against Cuba

President Barack Obama should take the first step towards dismantling the US embargo against Cuba by not renewing sanctions against the island under the Trading with the Enemy Act, said Amnesty International in an official Tuesday release.
Wednesday, September 2nd 2009 - 13:16 UTC
Unemployment in Punta Arenas remains the lowest in Chile: 4.6%

Magallanes in the extreme south of Chile remains as the region with the lowest unemployment in the country, 4.4% according to the latest release from the regional branch of the Statistics Office.
Wednesday, September 2nd 2009 - 13:03 UTC
The “morbid obsession” of Cuban censors to protect their perks

An article published Sunday in the official Cuban daily Juventud Rebelde criticizes the “morbid obsession” and “paranoia” of some officials for censuring information and rejecting criticism by other officials in an attempt to maintain the image of the Castro ruled island or their own positions.
Wednesday, September 2nd 2009 - 13:00 UTC
Torturers of Pinochet era still on Chilean government payroll

Chilean Defence Minister Fransisco Vidal confirmed Monday that the Military still employs people accused or convicted of human rights abuses under Chile’s military dictatorship (1973-1990). The state employees receive monthly salaries of up to 2,200 US dollars.
Tuesday, September 1st 2009 - 13:36 UTC
Chavez takes time to reply to Peruvian President García ironies

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said that his country will continue exporting oil to the United States because it is in interest. In a statement published in the Lima daily El Comercio that “many people don’t know” that Venezuelan state oil giant PDVSA, through its Citgo subsidiary, has seven large refineries and more than 10.000 service stations on US soil.
Tuesday, September 1st 2009 - 12:28 UTC
Chile launches trucks’ scrappage plan to boost economy and fight pollution

The Chilean government will subsidize the purchase of more fuel-efficient trucks for citizens through a program set to start later this year. The program, called “Cambia tu Camión,” or “Change your Truck,” will offer a bonus of 4, 8 or 12 million pesos (7.200, 14.500 or 21.700 US dollars respectively), toward the purchase of a new, more fuel efficient car, with the trade-in of a truck over 25 years old.
Tuesday, September 1st 2009 - 00:25 UTC
Between 1.600 and 1.700 vessels cross the Magellan Strait annually

An estimated 1.600 to 1.700 vessels cross the strategic Magellan Strait annually according to the Chilean Navy that last week celebrated the 161th anniversary of its patrolling task along the country’s coastline of almost 6.500 kilometres.
Monday, August 31st 2009 - 12:16 UTC
Falkland/Malvinas experience repeatedly recalled in Unasur summit

South American leaders “frank and crude” debate last week on the controversial agreement to deploy US forces in seven Colombian bases brought back memories and experiences of the Falkland Islands war between Argentina and Britain in 1982.
Monday, August 31st 2009 - 12:14 UTC
Listeriosis strikes Chile again, claims nine victims

Listeriosis, a food-borne bacterial disease, has claimed nine lives and infected 45 in Chile so far in 2009, health authorities confirmed this week. The disease, which stems from the bacteria Listeria monocytogenes, is often borne from contaminated water and foods and usually infects pregnant women, newborns, the elderly, and people with auto-immune diseases.