Latin America

Tuesday, February 6th 2007 - 20:00 UTC
“Imported farm labour” proposal sparks controversy in Chile

Chile's Exporters Association (Asoex) proposed last week the introduction of foreign workers to make up for “a scarcity of labour” in Chile's agricultural workforce. Critics accused Asoex president Ronald Brown of seeking to profit from poorly paid foreign labour on temporary contracts.
Tuesday, February 6th 2007 - 20:00 UTC
Bill Gates and Paul Allen cruise Antarctica in super yacht

Bill Gates, founder of Microsoft and the world's richest man is currently on an Antarctica cruise in one of the largest and most luxurious private super-yachts belonging to his associate Paul Allen.
Monday, February 5th 2007 - 20:00 UTC
Fatal blazes strike Punta Arenas and Valparaiso

Two devastating fires this weekend in Chile, one Punta Arenas and the other in Valparaiso have taken the lives of at least 13 people.
Thursday, February 1st 2007 - 20:00 UTC
Chile's Foreign Ministry rejects Peru border definition proposal

Chile's Foreign Ministry on Tuesday rejected a proposal from the Peruvian government to redefine maritime borders between the two countries. In a public declaration issued by Foreign Minister Alexander Foxley, Chile's government stated that the Chile-Peru maritime border had already been defined by international treaties in the past.
Thursday, February 1st 2007 - 20:00 UTC
Ecuador names woman as defense minister

The Ecuadorean government named another woman to be defense minister, to take over after the first female to hold the office was killed in a helicopter accident.
Thursday, February 1st 2007 - 20:00 UTC
Chile's first fish farming park to be built in Tongoy

The University of Los Lagos (ULA) is planning to build the first Fish Farming Park in Chile on a 5.5-hectare terrain, in the Tongoy Bay of Coquimbo Region IV, investing more than CLP 450 million (USD 826.400).
Wednesday, January 31st 2007 - 20:00 UTC
US “watchful” of how Chavez exercises special powers

President Hugo Chavez was granted Wednesday by the National Assembly special powers during 18 months, to accelerate changes in broad areas of society and the economy by presidential decree.
Tuesday, January 30th 2007 - 20:00 UTC
Chile's President Bachelet schedules impressive tour

After returning from her summer vacation on Lake Caburgua, Chile's President Michelle Bachelet plans to embark on an impressive tour of Latin American countries to encourage regional cooperation. She will then jet off to Europe to compare notes with “sister” countries famed for their welfare states.
Tuesday, January 30th 2007 - 20:00 UTC
Southern Chile's tremors traced to submarine fissure

The weeks' long tremors that have residents of Chilean Patagonia fearsome of a major earthquake can be traced to a submarine fissure and not the tectonic plaques, according to a group of scientists working in the area.
Tuesday, January 30th 2007 - 20:00 UTC
Record year for world tourism; South America up 7.2%

World tourism registered yet another record last year with 842 million arrivals, a higher than expected growth rate of 4.5% with Latinamerica consolidating its sustained growth tendency reaching 7.2%, according to United Nations figures.