Latin America

Tuesday, May 24th 2011 - 22:04 UTC
New York Times says sacrificing Chilean Patagonia for a power is an irreparable mistake

The New York Times has joined the Aysén region project controversy in Chilean Patagonia which was recently approved but has triggered massive protests from environmentalists and an overwhelming rejection from the majority of the population according to public opinion polls.
Tuesday, May 24th 2011 - 18:59 UTC
Former president Allende’s family petitioning return of the AK47, a gift from Fidel Castro

The family of Chile’s former president, Salvador Allende, petitioned for the rifle AK-47 used on his alleged suicide to be found. Allende is supposed to have committed suicide in the midst of a violent army coup led by general Pinochet in September 1973.
Tuesday, May 24th 2011 - 18:46 UTC
US imposes sanctions on Venezuela’s PDVSA for engaging in trade with Iran

United States announced new sanctions on Venezuela's state oil company PDVSA and six other smaller oil and shipping companies for engaging in trade with Iran in violation of a US ban.
Tuesday, May 24th 2011 - 06:39 UTC
Korean conglomerate LGI secures oil block in southern Chile

GeoPark oil and gas company with operations in Latin America announced in a joint release the definitive sale of oil and gas exploration and production blocks in the south of Chile to the Korean conglomerate LG International Corporation.
Tuesday, May 24th 2011 - 06:30 UTC
Massive demonstrations in Chile to protest Piñera’s annual speech to Congress

Citizens protested on the streets of 27 Chilean cities on Saturday. The demonstrations were strategically planned to coincide with President Sebastián Piñera’s annual May 21 speech. In many areas, peaceful demonstrations morphed into violent riots.
Tuesday, May 24th 2011 - 06:08 UTC
Chile and Argentina probe alleged bribe case involving Lan and President Piñera

Chilean prosecutors have opened an investigation into an alleged bribe paid to a former Argentine minister by Chile’s flag carrier Lan sometime in 2006/2007 to help with the opening of operations in Argentina. At the time Chilean president Sebastián Piñera was the main share holder of the airline.
Tuesday, May 24th 2011 - 03:19 UTC
Chile exhumes Allende’s remains to end a long standing controversy

Investigators in Chile exhumed Salvador Allende’s remains on Monday as part of an inquiry into the former president’s death in a military coup 37 years ago. Allende died during a September 1973 military attack against the presidential palace that led to 17 years of dictatorial rule.
Tuesday, May 24th 2011 - 00:54 UTC
Euro troubles and slower growth in China and EU hit Latin American markets

Latin American stocks fell to an eight-month low on Monday triggered by concerns that the Euro zone debt problem was deepening and signs of slower growth in China. The region’s largest market Brazil’s Bovespa ended at its lowest since July 2010
Monday, May 23rd 2011 - 06:04 UTC
Colombia’s oil company makes new discovery; plans to drill another ten wells in the block

Colombian state oil company Ecopetrol said it made a new discovery at a well in the south-eastern Caño Sur block, of which the company is the sole owner and operator.
The Mito-1 exploratory well yielded an average of 200 barrels per day of heavy oil in initial testing, Ecopetrol, which plans to drill another 10 wells at that block in the near future, said.
Monday, May 23rd 2011 - 06:01 UTC
Mexico Casterns throws his hat into the IMF MD election ring

Mexico central bank Governor Agustin Carstens will be presented as a candidate for managing director of the IMF, the Finance Ministry said in an e-mailed statement Sunday.