ARGENTINA: South America’s Most Developed Yet Volatile Economy
By Shirley Alaba – While it doesn’t guarantee the best living standards among all the countries on Earth, Argentina is one of the best, if not the best, place to live…
Chile
SPORTS: Copa America Winners Chile to Play Portugal in New Proposal
South American football chiefs have put pressure on UEFA to hold a one-of match between the winners of the Copa America Centenario, Chile, and Portugal – winners of Euro 2016….
ARGENTINA: Macri Opens Door to US Military Bases
Argentine President Mauricio Macri has sent a Ministry of Defense delegation to the United States for talks regarding the installation of a US base in Ushuaia, in Tierra del Fuego; …
CHILE: Cold-Blooded Crimes of Passion
“Love and jealousy killed her” announced the front page of Chilean tabloid newspaper La Cuarta last month. Above the headline, smaller writing reads: “The story of Andrea Aguirre, the Colombian…
Latin America: Cause for concern after China’s ‘Black Monday’
China stock fall spells more worry for Latin America; Latin-Chinese trade shrinking; Latin American economies heavily dependent on China On Monday global stock markets recorded some of the worst losses…
South America: Region’s middle class has grown 50 percent on average in last decade
Pew Research Centre study reports Latin American middle class grew by 50 percent between 2001 and 2011; 63 million people left poverty; Argentina’s middle class records strongest growth of 114…
Latin America: IMF significantly lowers 2015 growth forecast
IMF significantly lowers growth forecast; World Bank predicts 2015 to be worst year since financial crisis; Overall Latin American economy shrinks for fifth consecutive year; Economic problems caused by lower…
Chile: Symbolic Estadio Nacional home to Chile’s first major international football trophy
Chilean football side celebrates its first ever victory in Copa América over Argentina; Win takes place in Estadio Nacional, a symbol of the dark days of repression under Augusto Pinochet…
Guatemala: Corruption scandals spark social protests
Corruption scandals spark social protests; Guatemala and Paraguay sign agreement on tourism; Guatemalan drug trafficker is secretly sentenced in the US Corruption scandals spark social protests A high-profile corruption case linking Vice-President…
MERCOSUR: “Empty rhetoric?”
Founded in 1991, Mercosur is one of South America’s largest economic blocks. Comprising of Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and most recently Venezuela as member states, it represents a variety of the…
CHILE: Two Peruvian naval officers accused of spying for Chile
Last week, Military courts in Peru arrested two officers and are investigating a third for allegedly spying for historic rival Chile, according to Defense Minister Pedro Cateriano. If found guilty,…
CHILE: Bachelet calls for an end to universal ban on abortion
At the end of January, Chilean President Michele Bachelet officially drafted a bill to end the blanket ban on abortion that has recently seen a revival of controversy with the…
CHILE: Health Minister resigns over controversial abortion comments
In a shockingly rapid escalation of events, on the 30th December 2014, the Chilean Health Minister (now ex-Minister) Helia Molina officially resigned from her duties. This comes after a universal…
Ecuador: Correa calls for continental unity at Unasur summit
Correa calls for continental unity at Unasur summit; Ecuadorian primary education improving says Unesco study; President and Quito’s Mayor clash on metro funding Correa calls for continental unity at Unasur summit Ecuadorian…
CHILE: Former President Lagos calls for legalization of drugs
On the 7th of November 2014, former Chilean President Ricardo Lagos, currently a social democrat politician, called for a relaxation of Chile’s drug laws and more specifically, the legalization…
CHILE: Miners’ four-year anniversary of triumphant escape
CHILE: Miners’ four-year anniversary of triumphant escape Monday, 13th October 2014, marks exactly four years to the day “Los 33” (the 33 Chilean miners) were rescued from 700 metres underground, in…
Latin America’s presidents speak out on climate change at UN
Latin American presidents address international leaders at UN summit; Leaders call for united and ‘equal’ global action to combat climate change impacts; Several presidents take opportunity to highlight their own…
Just how ‘natural’ are natural disasters? Examples from Latin America
Latin America & Caribbean are especially vulnerable to natural disasters; human interference can affect overall impact of disasters; climate change biggest manmade influence on disasters. Natural disasters are a phenomenon…
Latin America: leading the way on renewables?
Several countries standing out on global scale; high proportion of energy mix comes from renewable sources; unconventional sources such as geothermal and tidal energy being developed. Recent stories emerging from…
Chile: World Cup fever
Much has been written recently about the cost of the World Cup or corruption in FIFA. In the midst of this it is easy to lose sight of the euphoria…
Arts: Exhibition of indigenous cinema will take place in Santiago
Exhibition of indigenous cinema will take place in Santiago; Fifth “Iguazú en concierto” Festival brings together young musicians Exhibition of indigenous cinema will take place in Santiago The eighth Exhibition of…
Chile: HidroAysén – chronicle of an environmental victory foretold
Controversial HidroAysén project stalled by Chilean government; questions remain over Chile’s long-term energy strategy. #ChaoHidroAysén. For at least a week before the Chilean government’s final decision, on 10 June, to throw…
Sport: Latin American World Cup Guide
As the World Cup kicks off this week in Brazil, Pulsamerica examines the chances of the Latin American teams participating in the tournament this year Cafu holds aloft the 2002…
Chile: Artist destroys student debt
The story is so absurd it is hard to believe. Two weeks ago, the 31-year-old visual artist Francisco Tapia known as Papas Fritas (Fried Potatoes) stole and set fire to…
China/Latin America: Peru-China trade up 20% since 2009
Peru-China trade up 20% since 2009; Brazil seeks Chinese investment for railways; Chile’s stock market surges amid optimism about Chinese demand