DNA samples have been taken from relatives of a woman held by Colombian rebels to try to determine if her young son is in a Bogota foster home.
Santiago de Chile residents pay more for their light and water than the citizens of any other capital in South America, according to a recent survey conducted by the EL Mercurio newspaper.
A high-seas tug left Punta Arenas on Thursday to the rescue of the Chilean flagged fishing vessel Antarctic Bay which has gone adrift after the engine broke down, according to naval authorities in the extreme south of Chile.
Chile's Minister of Defence Jose Goñi together with the commanders of the three services and Carabineros called in Punta Arenas before flying to Antarctica on Thursday.
In the midst of the popularity slump confronted by Chilean president Michelle Bachelet and unrest inside the ruling coalition, Interior Minister (Home Secretary) Belisario Velasco resigned on Thursday, anticipating a third cabinet renewal since the current administration took office.
A Venezuelan-led mission to rescue three hostages, including a 3-year old boy, from leftist rebels in Colombia's jungles fell apart Monday as the guerrillas accused Colombia's military of sabotaging the promised handoff.
Venezuela launched a new currency with the New Year, lopping off three zeros from denominations in a bid to simplify finances and boost confidence in a money that has been losing value due to high inflation.
Ailing leader Fidel Castro saluted the Cuban people for their 50 years of resistance against the United States in a written message read on state television shortly before the first minutes of the New Year.
A volcano in southern Chile erupted on Tuesday, spewing lava and ash, and forcing the evacuation of about 150 people, officials said.
The captain of the Norwegian cruise vessel Fram which hit an iceberg in Antarctica confirmed Sunday that the cruise would continue as planned. The passengers are due to fly home after a planned arrival in Ushuaia on January 2.