MercoPress https://en.mercopress.com/ South Atlantic News Agency en Copyright 2026, MercoPress. https://en.mercopress.com/web/img/en/mercopress-logo.gif MercoPress http://en.mercopress.com/ <![CDATA[Falklands Chamber of Commerce backs the Punta Arenas route despite Argentine warnings]]> “Now we need to see this continue and see the ship at sea heading to the islands, and then we can start to talk about it being a success. Success comes when the goods arrive,” Summers said The president of the Falkland Islands Chamber of Commerce, Mike Summers, has defended reopening trade with Chile's Magallanes region despite Argentina's campaign against economic activity linked to the archipelago, and warned that this week's business meeting in Punta Arenas will only be a success once cargo starts crossing the sea.

]]> Sun, 04 Oct 2026 21:19:00 GMT <![CDATA[Scientific workshop on Illex Squid in Vigo with the participation of Falkland Islands]]> The workshop forms part of an international scientific cooperation process that began with meetings held in Chile and Panama and continued with a scientific gathering in Bangkok Argentine unions linked to the fishing, maritime and port industries have complained bitterly to the International Transport Workers Federation against a workshop on the Shortfin Squid (Illex Argentinus) organized by OPPC3, in Vigo with the suppot of the Sustaianble Fisheries Partnership, and to which Argentina allegedly has not been invited, but it does include the Falkland Islands.

]]> Sat, 03 Oct 2026 17:11:00 GMT <![CDATA[Punta Arenas and Falklands businesses hold more than 800 meetings]]> The event precedes a direct sea link using a Chilean-flagged vessel operated by Easter Island Naviera, which the company plans to launch between mid-November and the end of the year Business people from Punta Arenas, in southern Chile, and from the Falklands held 822 business meetings over two days, at an event the organisers described as a success and which serves as a prelude to the reopening of a direct sea route between the Chilean city and Stanley, planned for the coming months.

]]> Thu, 01 Oct 2026 21:33:00 GMT <![CDATA[Chile's defence minister backs trade between Punta Arenas and the Falklands]]> Asked how closer trade ties would fit with regional commitments, Barros said the “potentially most contentious” point is oil and mining exploration Chile's Defence Minister Fernando Barros Tocornal has backed the development of commercial activity between the Magallanes region and the Falklands, saying his country's support for Argentina's sovereignty claim does not imply restrictions on trade with the archipelago. He made the remarks in an interview with Radio Polar in Punta Arenas during a visit to the region on September 24 and 25.

]]> Tue, 29 Sep 2026 09:02:00 GMT <![CDATA[Chile reinforcing its military presence in Magallanes Region and Antarctica]]> Minister Barros said defense requires planning and Chile must have the necessary capacities to protect its sovereignty, territorial integrity and the security of its people. Chile announced the reinforcement of its military capacities in the Magallanes Region, extreme south of the country with a plan that includes renewal of aircraft, modernization of armored vehicles, increased vigilance and presence in the austral territory and Antarctica, updating of military strategy based on experiences from the current war scenarios in Europe and Middle East.

]]> Mon, 28 Sep 2026 08:09:00 GMT <![CDATA[Punta Arenas/Falklands maritime links are based on history, economics and geography]]> El Tratado de Límites de 1881 estableció un régimen excepcional para el paso marítimo bioceánico, que el Tratado de Paz y Amistad de 1984 reafirmó de manera específica The announced maritime and trade link between Punta Arenas in Chile and the Falkland Islands has been strongly argued and supported by the main newspaper from the Chilean austral city on the Magellan Strait and capital of the Magallanes Region.

]]> Thu, 24 Sep 2026 23:47:00 GMT <![CDATA[Chilean Defense Committee meets in Punta Arenas to address pretensions over Magellan sovereignty]]> Chilean Vice-president Claudio Alvarado arrives at Punta Arenas for the Magellan Strait ceremony Chilean Vice-president Claudio Alvarado praised the Defense Committee from the House of Deputies which is planning to hold a formal meeting next Friday at the Austral Naval Command in Punta Arenas, to address the Defense budget, Armed Forces capability and austral sovereignty particularly the Magellan Strait.

]]> Wed, 23 Sep 2026 17:48:00 GMT <![CDATA[Chilean Senate reaffirms Magellan Strait sovereignty and support for Punta Arenas to trade with the world]]> The transversal delegation of five Senators that reaffirmed exclusive, complete sovereignty of the Magellan Strait A delegation from the Chilean Senate was in Punta Arenas to subscribe a declaration reaffirming Chilean exclusive sovereignty over the Magellan Strait and committing extra funds for its maintenance and reinforcement of strategic capacities when discussing the 2027 national budget. Likewise they supported the right of the people from the Magallanes Region to freely trade with whoever they decide in the world.

]]> Wed, 23 Sep 2026 13:58:00 GMT <![CDATA[Bachelet withdraws her UN bid after the third Security Council straw poll]]> “I am convinced that leadership is not only knowing when to move forward. It is also knowing when to step aside,” she said in a video posted on her social media accounts Former Chilean president Michelle Bachelet announced on Saturday that she is withdrawing her candidacy for United Nations Secretary-General, a day after the third informal Security Council consultation, in which she lost ground compared with earlier rounds.

]]> Mon, 21 Sep 2026 04:36:00 GMT <![CDATA[Falklands: official reception to celebrate Chile's Independence Day]]> An evening all about Chile — the official residence lit up in the colors of the Chilean flag. As is traditional in the Falklands, the Governor and the elected Legislative Assembly extended their congratulations and celebrated with great enthusiasm Chile's Fiestas Patrias, and in particular September 18, Independence Day.

]]> Sat, 19 Sep 2026 09:22:00 GMT