
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is backing a project in the Andean mountains of Peru to promote the traditional practice of textile weaving as a commercial venture.
Chile is working hard in the elimination of land mines along its borders with Argentina, Peru and Bolivia but still has over 100.000 explosives to deactivate, which at the current rate won't make the 2012 deadline, according to reports in the Buenos Aires press.

Chile's Chamber of Deputies voted unanimously last week to declare the country's coastline a whale sanctuary. The vote is a major step in protecting whales from hunting in Chilean waters – 200 miles from the coast, along the entire length of the country.

Chile's Health Ministry quarantined four more pork factories last Thursday after Canadian health officials confirmed high levels of the carcinogenic chemical dioxin in their pork meat products.

President Leonel Fernandez promised to boost agriculture production but warned of dire economic times as he was sworn in for a third term on Saturday
Economic activity in Magallanes Region, extreme south of Chile, has fallen dramatically during the second quarter of this year compared to the same period a year ago according to the latest data from the country's official Statistics Office.

Brazil's aircraft manufacturer Embraer signed a contract on Friday to provide the Chilean Air Force (FACH) with 12 Super Tucano for tactical training missions. The first should be delivered in the second half of 2009.

Chile's director of tourism bureau, SERNATUR Oscar Santelices said that the country's tourism industry is worried about potential negative effects of the HidroAysén dam project slated for Chilean Patagonia.

Bolivian President Evo Morales and opposition regional governors agreed on Wednesday to meet in an attempt to ease the bitter power stand off that has paralyzed the country for most of the year.

Although most Latinamerica and United States officials deny the existence of an arms race in South America, large increases in military expenditure have been taking place in several countries of the region, points out the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, SIPRI: