Beaches near the city of Osorno in southern Chile have closed due to swarms of jellyfish populating the shores. At least 40 people have reported being stung by the tiny jellyfish. According to health reports, the stings produce a painful skin inflammation.
Magallanes region in the extreme south of Chile received in the twelve months of 2009 an estimated 600.000 tourists which is almost the same number than in 2008, according to primary data from Chile’s Tourism Office, Sernatur.
Honduras de facto leader Roberto Micheletti responded harshly to US suggestions that he resign weeks before a new president takes office on January 27.
Chile’s economic activity index, the IMACEC, rose a bigger-than-expected 3.1% in November from a year earlier, the central bank announced this week, the first monthly increase in a year. The market expected the economy of the world's top copper producer to expand by 2.5%, according to a median forecast from a Reuters’ survey.
Puerto Madryn in Argentine Patagonia expects a considerable fall in the number of cruise calls following Norwegian Cruise Lines decision to stop operating in the Valparaíso/Buenos Aires tour in the next 2010/2011 season.
Quellón, a small Chiloé Island community in the south of Chile that once was entirely dedicated to the salmon industry, is hoping growing interest in marine tourism will bring the local economy back to life. The bottom fell out of Quellón’s economy last year when the salmon industry went under, leaving half the community out of work.
On Sunday evening Chile’s two presidential hopefuls – billionaire businessman Sebastian Piñera and Senator Eduardo Frei – began airing five-minute TV spots designed to win votes for the January 17 run-off presidential election. The spots will run through January 14.
The Dakar Rally that began in the Southern Cone on New Year’s Day has some people applauding, but others not so happy. The Dakar Rally is divided between Argentina and Chile and includes eight days of racing in Chile before concluding January 16 in Buenos Aires.
The Concertación’s leaders don’t understand the country they helped create.
By Andrés Allamand
Venezuelans have received 2010 with the announcement of an extremely severe power-saving program forcing all shopping malls, bars, restaurants, discos and cinemas to close business several hours a day.