tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-167483632011-07-30T18:00:48.548-04:00Jorge Garreton is an award-winning Chile based journalist. In this blog he takes a look at daily life; takes the temperature of the at times overheated Chilean politics; examines local culture, trends and life.Jorge Garretonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12162021343925243553noreply@blogger.comBlogger701100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16748363.post-77415434502437032972010-03-12T23:56:00.006-03:002010-03-13T00:11:04.654-03:00

In a great journalistic coup, reporters of La Tercera newspaper online edition, in the ravaged town of Iloca they met 8 year old Victor Díaz who narrates what happened to him, his family and community after the February 27, 8.8 earthquake and tsunami. Victor is an example of the strength, courage and sturdiness of all Chileans.

Jorge Garretonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12162021343925243553noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16748363.post-86352749299391283732010-01-14T10:38:00.006-03:002010-01-14T10:50:31.596-03:00

With just 3 days before Sunday run off election, between right-wing billionaire presidential candidate Sebastián Piñera, and Centre-left ruling Concertación coalition Senator and former President Eduardo Frei, President Michelle Bachelet said today in a interview on Radio Cooperativa, she will be voting for Eduardo Frei. Bachelet said her option, although clear from the outset

Jorge Garretonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12162021343925243553noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16748363.post-73995480584765919662009-12-31T21:19:00.005-03:002009-12-31T21:27:57.169-03:00

Look at a picture set taken from the streets of Viña del Mar waiting for the arrival of 2010. Dec 31, 2009

Jorge Garretonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12162021343925243553noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16748363.post-91541954869674190312009-12-11T23:39:00.005-03:002009-12-16T13:41:30.847-03:00

Chile's National Elections, may yield for the first time since 1958 a President from the right-wing. Billionaire businessman, Sebastian Piñera is riding high on the polls. It seems that he will end 20 years of centre-left Concertación coalition Presidents. The Concertación coalition has ruled Chile successfully since the country's return to democracy in 1990. It appears that Michelle Bachelet and

Jorge Garretonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12162021343925243553noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16748363.post-2318733499168574582009-09-08T12:17:00.010-04:002009-09-08T12:54:53.939-04:00

THIS IS A COMMENTARY FROM CHILE BASED RISK AND MILITARY ANALYST ARMEN KOUYOUMDJIAN. I AM POSTING HIS COMMENTARY TO GIVE A DIFFERENT CAUSTIC PERSPECTIVE ON CHILEAN POLITICS.As We Are Campaigning Full SpeedBy Armen KouyoumdjianSeptember 8, 2009Though it has been unofficially going on for as long as one can remember, the election campaign is gathering momentum, though according to the law, the

Jorge Garretonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12162021343925243553noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16748363.post-49200250277930691502009-08-29T11:43:00.008-04:002009-08-29T12:46:45.466-04:00

Chile's National Team Football manager Marcelo Bielsa gave this past Thursday, Aug 25, 1 90-minute lecture at a business leadership conference. Bielsa, who rarely gives press conferences or in-depth interviews created great expectations from the public and the media, spoke on leadership, norms and principles. The successful manager, with Argentina, clubs and now with Chile, breaks some of myths

Jorge Garretonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12162021343925243553noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16748363.post-81442576759507447872009-08-25T13:13:00.005-04:002009-08-25T14:04:54.710-04:00

From the Sunday edition of UK newspaper the Independent, reporter Hugh O'Shaughnessy tells the story of Pinochet's lost millions:Two-and-a-half years after the death of General Augusto Pinochet, a report by the Chilean police task force charged with investigating money-laundering has claimed that British authorities and the financial sector were complicit in hiding his massive ill-gotten

Jorge Garretonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12162021343925243553noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16748363.post-15769701106126159152009-03-29T12:16:00.004-04:002009-03-29T12:34:31.990-04:00

A view of the Progressive Governance Summit, that took place in Viña del Mar, Chile. The Summit was hosted by Chilean President Michelle Bachelet. In attendance were the UK Prime Minister Gorodon Brown, Spain President Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, Brazil's President Lula da Silva, the President of Argentina Cristina Fernandez, Denmark's Primer Minister Jens Stoltember and US Vice President Joe

Jorge Garretonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12162021343925243553noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16748363.post-64624985499806273252009-03-06T23:42:00.007-03:002009-03-07T01:28:51.313-03:00

Wednesday Chile’s public TV network, TVN, unveiled its 24-hour all-news channel, called 24 Horas. This new channel comes into the cable TV market to compete with CNN Chile. Chile's version of CNN is a partnership between Liberty Global –owner of Chile’s largest cable provider VTR- and Time Warner.CNN Chile began operations last December with 30 minutes news segments around the hour. The channel

Jorge Garretonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12162021343925243553noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16748363.post-57768717109000110682009-02-27T22:32:00.002-03:002009-02-27T22:36:49.071-03:00

Here are the latest news highlights from Chile.For Friday, February 27, 2009Two Chilean students in a work and travel program were killed by a deranged 60 year old Florida, USA man. Chile defense not compromised says the Minister of Defense. Dakar 2010 Rally to be stated in Chile. Eduardo "Lalo" Parra gravely ill.

Jorge Garretonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12162021343925243553noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16748363.post-15846274996512471582009-02-24T00:41:00.006-03:002009-02-24T19:20:33.684-03:00

Eduardo "Lalo" Parra the 90 years-old musician is gravelly ill, his family reports. Lalo Parra, better known as Tío Lalo, or Uncle Lalo, is in a Santiago Hospital connected to a ventilator to ease his illness. Doctors say Parra has a severe urinary infection that is compromising internal organs. His Family says they will wait 72 hours to determine if he will be disconnected from the ventilator

Jorge Garretonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12162021343925243553noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16748363.post-66379295288996768402009-02-23T16:19:00.007-03:002009-02-23T16:48:33.128-03:00

Mapuche Indian activists face a difficult time as they try to make historical claim to recover their lands. But in their struggle, they have come into a head on collision with forestry companies, large landowners. Also, the Government appears to do little to solve the long-standing conflict.Waikilaf Cadin accuses police and prison officials of torture. He is a Mapuche Indian activist who has seen

Jorge Garretonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12162021343925243553noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16748363.post-42013593170862596172009-02-16T20:58:00.004-03:002009-02-16T21:03:56.905-03:00

Here are the latest news highlights from Chile.For this Monday, February 16, 2009:Cuba trip still makes political noise, Central Bank releases new economic statistic, 13 forestry firefighters killed in helicopter crash.

Jorge Garretonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12162021343925243553noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16748363.post-31223922599430269212009-02-12T23:53:00.004-03:002009-02-12T23:56:07.992-03:00

Welcome to my first video blog outlining the current news from Chile. For this Thursday February 12, 2009, here are the main items: Bachelet in Cuba; 11 year-old Mapuche girl seeks asylum.

Jorge Garretonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12162021343925243553noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16748363.post-52640253349919483492008-09-25T16:58:00.005-04:002008-09-29T20:21:30.810-04:00

Have you tried to speak with a company official on any subject in the news or dealing with company news? No?Well, it is not a pleasant experience. Chilean corporate culture is one of mistrust of the press. Most businesses, large or small, do not have a public relations department nor personnel. Forget about finding a vice president responsible for corporate communications, the closer you will get

Jorge Garretonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12162021343925243553noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16748363.post-41983075110351119802008-08-28T16:44:00.009-04:002008-09-29T20:41:02.606-04:00

A retired elderly man boards a plane from Santiago to spend his time touring parts of Europe during the summer. The man, 83 years-old, is a lawyer from Temuco, his name Alfonso Podlech. He is just another respected looking elderly man travelling and touring sites after a lifetime of successful work. But when Podlech approaches the customs window at Barajas Airport in Madrid a red alert pops up on

Jorge Garretonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12162021343925243553noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16748363.post-27923739670102236592008-08-07T17:25:00.005-04:002008-09-29T20:41:42.153-04:00

The Michelle Bachelet administration got it self into a difficult bind; this after its candidate to occupy a seat in Chile's Supreme Court did not receive sufficient votes in the Senate. Santiago Appeals' Court Judge Alfredo Pfeiffer, a conservative judge, was nominated by the ruling centre-left Concertacion coalition, after a deal was struck with the right-wing opposition to get the ruling

Jorge Garretonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12162021343925243553noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16748363.post-11832296421447523002008-06-09T17:52:00.002-04:002008-09-29T20:42:21.095-04:00

Friday morning truck owners ended their four day indefinite strike after reaching an agreement with the Government following all night negotiations. Truck owners demanded the Government do something with the high price of diesel needed to power their rigs. The Government agreed to subsidize up to 80% of the diesel tax collected each time a truck fills up at the pump.The strike was called for

Jorge Garretonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12162021343925243553noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16748363.post-12269441986459787922008-05-29T14:37:00.006-04:002008-09-29T20:43:17.021-04:00

Michelle Bachelet was elected President of Chile in 2006, the first woman to hold that post. With her election the long protracted transition to full democracy ended. As she became president, Bachelet invited citizens to become active in their affairs; she said her government would listen to the people. The country's social forces were empowered and began making long postponed demands.A major

Jorge Garretonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12162021343925243553noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16748363.post-26893796359946470632008-05-23T14:00:00.003-04:002008-09-29T20:44:04.377-04:00

In Chile this week, hundreds of high school and university students protested a new education reform bill in Congress that they say prioritizes profits at the expense of education. Demonstrators shut down a number of high schools, and earlier this month protesting students at four universities went on strike.This week's actions and earlier street demonstrations follow years of student opposition

Jorge Garretonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12162021343925243553noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16748363.post-5869760141777152822008-05-13T13:29:00.003-04:002008-09-29T20:44:59.268-04:00

The US war in Iraq has resulted in masses of refugees, many of them Palestinian-Iraqis, who now reside mostly in desert camps in the Iraq Syria border. After the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees pleaded with its member nations, the government of Chile said it would allow 117 Palestinians to enter the South American country. Last April, a handful of Palestinian refugee families

Jorge Garretonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12162021343925243553noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16748363.post-71564820576125033152008-04-15T19:48:00.005-04:002008-09-29T20:45:42.112-04:00

The local daily La Tercera in today's edition publishes that the legal arguments used to impugned the distribution of the morning after pill were taken from a legal opinion written by Constitutional Court judge Raul Bertelsen a few years earlier. Bertelsen wrote a legal opinion against the morning after pill, birth control pills and IUDs that these methods prevent the implantation of an egg in a

Jorge Garretonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12162021343925243553noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16748363.post-82466813360696498222008-04-05T01:29:00.006-04:002008-09-29T20:46:32.163-04:00

In a decision that angered the Government, the Constitutional Court in a 5 to 4 vote declared unconstitutional the public distribution of the emergency contraceptive "morning after pill." The ruling comes after a group of 36 conservative right-wing members of the Lower House of Congress petitioned the Constitutional Court arguing the pill causes abortion.The decision though awaited, it angered

Jorge Garretonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12162021343925243553noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16748363.post-82303724095544766672008-04-03T22:37:00.011-04:002008-09-29T20:47:27.469-04:00

The Lower House of Congress voted to suspend the Minister of Education, Yasna Provoste, for serious dereliction of her Constitutional duties. The Chambers of Deputies voted 59 to 55 to fire the Minister. Now is up to the Senate to either uphold or quash the Deputies' decision.The vote comes after a more than two-months of news and debate on a serious accounting disorders found inside the Ministry

Jorge Garretonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12162021343925243553noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16748363.post-285965711044729582008-04-02T21:35:00.008-04:002008-09-29T20:55:09.977-04:00

The approval rating of President Michelle Bachelet rose for the first time since the implementation of the flawed Santiago public transit system, in February 2007, the polling firm Adimark found in its monthly poll. Bachelet´s approval raiting rose to 46.4%. Adimark, a right wing polling firm tied to the far right UDI party, found the President´s personal rating rose considerably. Adimark found

Jorge Garretonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12162021343925243553noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16748363.post-83292071611992835372008-01-31T17:38:00.003-03:002008-09-29T20:55:55.103-04:00

Jailed Mapuche activist hunger strike Patricia Troncoso jailed to 10 years for terrorist fire attacks reached an agreement with the Chilean Government Monday Jan 30, to end her 112 day hunger strike after strong mediation from the Catholic Church.TV Report that followed the end of the hunger strikeThe Chilean Government agreed to meet the two demands Patricia Troncoso made during her long hunger

Jorge Garretonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12162021343925243553noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16748363.post-76953267454449952362007-12-28T16:59:00.002-03:002008-09-29T20:56:53.769-04:00

The Chilean Patagonia is one of the world’s last reservoirs of fresh water and temperate rainforests. Endesa Chile and Colbun have joined forces in creating Hidro Aysen that plans to build 4 hydro dams on the scenic, pristine wild Pascua and Baker Rivers. Part of the plan includes building the world’s longest transmission lines to supply central Chile with much needed energy needs.Chilean TV

Jorge Garretonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12162021343925243553noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16748363.post-65707436754094643542007-12-15T16:28:00.001-03:002008-09-29T20:58:21.782-04:00

The election of President Michelle Bachelet in 2006 ushered in a new era in the conduct of politics. In a highly centralized, strongly presidential country used to authoritarian presidents, Bachelet has altered the way politics is conducted, giving rise to major conflicts and to a perceived lack of political leadership from the Executive Branch. The issue is compounded by Bachelet’s agenda

Jorge Garretonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12162021343925243553noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16748363.post-41896988238413228312007-11-12T18:03:00.001-03:002008-09-29T20:57:44.972-04:00

The words "why don't you shut up", uttered by King Juan Carlos of Spain aimed at Venezuela's Hugo Chavez captured the closing day of the Ibero-American Summit of Heads of State this past Saturday. The spat happened during the closing ceremonies of the 17th Summit of heads of state from Latin America and Iberian leaders.The water had been stirred to a boil Thursday when Chavez during his opening

Jorge Garretonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12162021343925243553noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16748363.post-40601549979368739252007-11-09T13:26:00.000-03:002007-11-12T19:48:34.264-03:00

This morning the 17th Ibero-American Summit of Presidents and Heads of State began with Chile's president Michelle Bachelet welcoming all leaders present. Bachelet began the Summit with a call to adopt the social cohesion agenda to better deliver social welfare protection and social inclusive plans.The presidents spoke in favour of the concept and the implementation of social cohesion. But there

Jorge Garretonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12162021343925243553noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16748363.post-73301882996831631222007-11-08T16:18:00.000-03:002007-11-08T17:29:24.778-03:00

Santiago is home as of this Thursday to 22 Heads of Government and State who are taking part in the 17th Ibero-American Summit. According to the agenda to be debated by presidents and first ministers gathered at Espacio Riesco Conference Centre in the outskirts of the capital, is a frank social agenda that touches on issues of improved taxation to better fund the delivery of health, education and

Jorge Garretonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12162021343925243553noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16748363.post-70383956546192517262007-10-25T12:56:00.000-03:002007-10-25T13:09:19.276-03:00

O'Higgins Antarctic BaseThe London daily The Guardian last week published a story saying the United Kingdom plans to claim more than 1 million square KM (360 thousand square miles) of Antarctica's ocean floor and south Atlantic islands. The claim includes Antarctic territories claimed by Chile and Argentina. The news prompted the Chilean government to action to counter the UK's claim.Following a

Jorge Garretonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12162021343925243553noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16748363.post-28007451248649621172007-06-15T10:12:00.000-04:002007-06-19T14:53:51.367-04:00

This first half of the year I have been unable to write and give a perspective on Chilean stories, because I am in the final semester of a Masters' in Journalism and Communications. I am busy finishing my courses and writing my thesis due at the end of July. Once it is complete I will continue with my writings.

Jorge Garretonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12162021343925243553noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16748363.post-40901180469234504512007-03-22T19:58:00.000-04:002007-03-26T09:33:29.838-04:00

On Saturday February 10, the Chilean Government gave the go ahead for an ambitious plan to reform Santiago’s public system. That day it unveiled the much await public transit system, Transantiago. Transantiago was designed as to replace a public transit system operated by an independent quilt of privateers who owned as many as one bus to a large fleet, part of some of the 8 thousand or so buses

Jorge Garretonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12162021343925243553noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16748363.post-68232541069627281762007-03-22T16:27:00.000-04:002007-03-22T16:30:49.467-04:00

This past March 11, the centre-left Concertación government of President Michelle Bachelet celebrated one year in office. As the country’s first woman to hold the highest elected office, the celebrations were a happy affair by the government and politicians that belong to the ruling coalition.However, the first year in government has been less than stellar. Social conflicts from the get go; a

Jorge Garretonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12162021343925243553noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16748363.post-47977520360094459872007-01-25T22:31:00.000-03:002007-01-29T16:52:37.349-03:00

Government Spokesperson Ricardo Lagos-Weber, explains away in the hot political summerThe political temperature at the beginning of 2007 is high as is the temperature this summer; this due to political charges of corruption from the opposition to the government, a government official resigns in disgrace, a right-wing politician who claims to fight for rectitude is found to have lied in his CV,

Jorge Garretonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12162021343925243553noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16748363.post-40558072567179090872006-12-18T13:06:00.000-03:002007-01-26T23:55:17.881-03:00

Sunday December 10, 2006 Chile’s former dictator Augusto Pinochet died of a massive heart attack. Pinochet died at 2:15 PM Sunday afternoon. At 10 AM that morning doctors at Santiago’s Military Hospital issued a news bulletin saying Pinochet was progressing and that they were optimistic that he would be released in the next few days. But four hour later, the former dictator was dead.Word quickly

Jorge Garretonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12162021343925243553noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16748363.post-1165192651314738772006-12-03T21:33:00.000-03:002006-12-04T13:02:43.123-03:00

Military Hospital Dr. Juan Ignacio Vergara faces the pressLate in the evening Military Hospital Dr. Juan Ignacio Vergara, said Pinochet did not require by-pass surgery. Dr. Vergara said an examination of the angioplasty procedure determined Pinochet did not required heart by-pass surgery. He said cardiologists found the angioplasty performed early in the morning worked and that fluids build-up in

Jorge Garretonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12162021343925243553noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16748363.post-1165170614872980552006-12-03T15:27:00.000-03:002006-12-03T21:40:08.303-03:00

Santiago's Military HospitalAt around 3 pm local time, 18:00 GMT, Chile’s former dictator is undergoing heart by-pass surgery. An hour early, his five children arrived at the Santiago Military Hospital to give their go ahead on the surgery.In 2001, Pinochet was declared mentally incapacitated, so it is his children who have legal rights over his father’s decision.This morning Military Hospital Dr

Jorge Garretonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12162021343925243553noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16748363.post-1165143992215205992006-12-03T08:05:00.000-03:002006-12-03T21:41:25.716-03:00

Pinochet During His 91rst Birthday CelebrationAt 6:12 Sunday Morning, I was awakened by a call from Karine Mayer the Deputy News Editor at Sky News in London. Karine said that General Augusto Pinochet had suffered a heart attack and asked if I could find more information and go on air with a two-way (question and answer) on their morning show. I quickly called my contacts at Radio Bío-Bío; I

Jorge Garretonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12162021343925243553noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16748363.post-1160513533283072122006-10-10T16:51:00.001-04:002008-04-06T03:00:25.779-04:00

Next October 16, Chile will make known its vote for the Latin American candidate to occupy one of the non-permanent seats in the United Nations Security Council. Chilean President Michelle Bachelet has announced that Chile will make its candidate known on or just before the day of the vote. President Bachelet says her government will vote for the candidate that best represents the region’s views.

Jorge Garretonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12162021343925243553noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16748363.post-1158203674398141012006-09-13T23:10:00.000-04:002006-09-13T23:31:15.880-04:00

President Michelle Bachelet lead Monday Chile’s official ceremonies at La Moneda Presidential Palace that commemorated the country’s own September 11. Former collaborators of deposed President Salvador Allende, ruling Concertacion politicians and Allende family members attended the event. At the most symbolic moment occurred when President Bachelet placed a red rose at a memorial plaque that

Jorge Garretonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12162021343925243553noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16748363.post-1158192054198601092006-09-13T20:00:00.000-04:002006-09-13T21:21:11.503-04:00

Last week the Ministry of Health announced the free distribution of the so-called morning after pill -Postinor-2- in all Public Healthcare Centres in the country to girls 14 and over without needing the consent or with information to their parents. Conservative sectors in society railed against the measure. The ruling Concertacion coalition has been split in two; the Christian Democratic Party

Jorge Garretonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12162021343925243553noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16748363.post-1157081725740017112006-08-31T23:34:00.000-04:002006-08-31T23:45:53.046-04:00

With a 93 percent approval La Escondida mine workers accepted the contract that ended their 25-day strike that paralyzed production in the largest private copper mine. La Escondida owned by the Anglo-Australian mining conglomerate BHP Billiton, buckled under the pressure of the three-week strike. Workers agreed to a 5 percent pay increase and a one time after tax bonus of US$ 17,000. The workers

Jorge Garretonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12162021343925243553noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16748363.post-1156974637523554742006-08-30T17:50:00.000-04:002006-09-06T12:36:10.266-04:00

At the end of July, the Foreign Minister Alejandro Foxley said on a television interview that the Michelle Bachelet Government had been sounded off by European countries on the possibility of this country taking part in a military stabilization force on the Lebanese/Israel border. President Bachelet was outraged following the revelations of Israel's killings of dozens of innocent civilians in

Jorge Garretonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12162021343925243553noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16748363.post-1156962138450243502006-08-30T12:27:00.000-04:002006-08-30T14:22:18.563-04:00

Chile’s public high school students announced this Saturday they will remain on the Presidential Education Reforms Commission. Students had threatened to walk away from the negotiating table because of the slow pace of reforms talks. The decision came at the end of a daylong meeting where they discussed their options that included walking out from the Commission’s work and begin the second

Jorge Garretonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12162021343925243553noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16748363.post-1156876308681877412006-08-29T14:31:00.000-04:002006-08-31T23:18:55.586-04:00

The more than 2,000 striking of mining workers at the Chilean copper mine La Escondida entered their third week of labour stoppage with no end in site. Mine owners broke off negotiations 8 days ago and began searching for replacement workers but it has been unable to get production going. La Escondida owned by the Anglo-Australian mining conglomerate BHP Billiton is the world’s largest copper

Jorge Garretonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12162021343925243553noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16748363.post-1153108343138199212006-07-16T23:52:00.000-04:002006-07-17T20:27:21.490-04:00

In a new twist in the Pinochet news front last week the Santiago daily La Nación, published that the jailed former head of Chile’s secret police during the Augusto Pinochet dictatorship, Manuel Contreras, has reportedly told a investigating judge that the former dictator’s millions of dollars came from drug trafficking.Contreras, who is serving a number of life sentences, told an investigating

Jorge Garretonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12162021343925243553noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16748363.post-1151961601950685262006-07-03T17:20:00.000-04:002006-07-03T17:20:58.463-04:00

The Chilean government has introduced changes to the country's controversial anti terrorist law. The law which passed during the Augusto Pinochet dictatorship has been used in the past few years against Mapuche Indians who are fighting to reclaim their lands. The reforms to the anti terrorist legislation seek to strike from the books certain actions, like arson. And keep only statutes that

Jorge Garretonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12162021343925243553noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16748363.post-1149898609314865692006-06-09T20:16:00.000-04:002006-06-09T20:25:15.510-04:00

Picture Kallejero: To view more from Kallejero visit the complete galleryHigh school students after three weeks in strike ended this Friday, student spokesperson Juan Carlos Herrera says the students will return to school Tuesday. Herrera says the students will agree to join the Presidential Education Commission that will debate reforms to the educational system. Herrera says the students will

Jorge Garretonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12162021343925243553noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16748363.post-1149870843864155162006-06-09T12:34:00.000-04:002006-06-09T17:27:56.680-04:00

Bachelet with Bush in the White HouseChilean President Michelle Bachelet arrived in Washington Thursday, for an official visit with U.S. President George W. Bush. Later yesterday afternoon, she travelled to Congress to meet with House Leaders and Senators. In the evening, the President dined with women leaders part of the White House Project. Dining with President Bachelet were Senator Hillary

Jorge Garretonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12162021343925243553noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16748363.post-1149869265369312352006-06-09T12:07:00.000-04:002006-06-09T20:17:27.916-04:00

Picture Kallejero: To view more from Kallejero visit the complete galleryAfter a long silence due to work, I have returned to post stories on and about Chile. I hope they provide an outlook about Chile.For a chronology of events read the previous postIn April, public school high school students took to the streets in efforts to have their demands heard by the new Michelle Bachelet government.

Jorge Garretonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12162021343925243553noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16748363.post-1149868967398607852006-06-09T12:02:00.000-04:002006-06-09T16:13:03.620-04:00

Picture Kallejero: To view more from Kallejero visit the complete galleryThis is a loose chronological set of the penguin revolution that has rocked Chile and the Bachelet Government. It is called the penguin revolution, because of the traditional school uniforms worn by most students. Boys wear a blue blazer, white shirt with a tie with school colours and grey slacks. Girls wear a blue jumper

Jorge Garretonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12162021343925243553noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16748363.post-1137462175851876442006-01-16T22:42:00.000-03:002006-01-16T22:42:55.936-03:00

Chileans made history this Sunday, when they elected Michelle Bachelet as the country's first female president.The voting took place in the middle of the summer season, so Chileans had to put their vacations on hold to take time to vote in a run-off presidential election, following the December 11th general elections did not produced an outright winner. Bachelet a Socialist becomes the fourth

Jorge Garretonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12162021343925243553noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16748363.post-1137266590406993312006-01-14T16:23:00.000-03:002006-01-14T16:23:10.913-03:00

Chileans got to the polls Sunday in a run-off election with a clear option of electing for the first time a woman president or a billionaire businessman for the post of president on the country for the next four years. For the second time in four weeks Chileans will vote for a President, following the December 11 vote that did not produce a majority candidate to lead the country into its

Jorge Garretonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12162021343925243553noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16748363.post-1136224228405937382006-01-02T14:50:00.000-03:002006-01-02T17:01:27.316-03:00

The British Monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, described 1992 in her year-end speech as Annus Horribilis, or horrible year. The same quote can be used to describe 2005 for former dictator General Augusto Pinochet’s year. 2005, was the year where the wheels of justice finally caught up with aging former dictator.Pinochet spent Christmas and the New Year under house arrest pending a resolution in the

Jorge Garretonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12162021343925243553noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16748363.post-1135898738959101342005-12-19T20:25:00.000-03:002005-12-29T20:26:17.780-03:00

The World Trade Organization's meeting in Hong Kong have brought a small agreement to developing nations seeking to export their products to the developed world. Developing nations want First World Nations to remove subsidies to their farmers so Third World nations can export their crops. In exchange the United States and European Union want an opening of the service industry to foreign

Jorge Garretonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12162021343925243553noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16748363.post-1135897618403186172005-12-11T20:06:00.000-03:002005-12-29T20:07:38.453-03:00

Chileans went to the polls Sunday for the 4th time since the end of Pinochet's dictatorship. Michelle Bachelet the candidate of the ruling Centre-left Concertación coalition will have to wait until next month to see if she'll become Chile's first female President.She received 46 percent of the vote in Sunday's election so she will face a runoff next month against billionaire businessman Sebastian

Jorge Garretonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12162021343925243553noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16748363.post-1134329302138362002005-12-11T16:28:00.000-03:002005-12-11T16:28:22.143-03:00

Michelle Bachelet: is running for the successful centre-left Concertación coalition that has governed Chile since the return to democracy in 1990. Bachelet hopes -and is expected- to become Chile's first woman president trained pediatrician, epidemiologist, and public health specialist, Dr. Bachelet is a University of Chile graduate who also holds degrees in Military Science from renowned Chilean

Jorge Garretonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12162021343925243553noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16748363.post-1134328412596106692005-12-11T16:13:00.000-03:002005-12-11T16:13:32.626-03:00

This Sunday Chileans went to the polls for the fourth time since the return to democracy in 1990. According to polls Chile a generally socially conservative country is about to elect its first woman president. Michelle Bachelet is the presidential candidate of the ruling centre-left Concertación coalition; she leads in all polls and is poised to become Chile's first female president this Sunday

Jorge Garretonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12162021343925243553noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16748363.post-1133477268457926532005-11-25T19:47:00.000-03:002005-12-01T20:15:16.850-03:00

This Friday, Chile’s former dictator turned 90. A large party with some 300 guests in his posh Santiago home was cancelled because he is spending his 90th birthday under house arrest on two separate criminal cases. Former close advisors traveled to Pinochet’s home in an exclusive Santiago neighborhood at the foothills of the Andes to wish the elderly former dictator a happy birthday. Meanwhile a

Jorge Garretonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12162021343925243553noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16748363.post-1133473159651145452005-11-11T18:38:00.000-03:002005-12-01T19:01:06.993-03:00

Chile-Peru bilateral relations have gradually turned sour because of a number of irritants that have created difficult relations that at times have become tense. Every couple of months a new problem would arise from Chile’s northern border. Slowly Peruvian nationalist circles began taking control of the Peru’s relations with Chile; and this was helped by silly actions by Chileans in Peru. When

Jorge Garretonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12162021343925243553noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16748363.post-1131650970872948012005-11-10T16:28:00.000-03:002005-11-10T16:59:39.293-03:00

The surprising arrival of the former president of Peru Alberto Fujimori in Chile’s capital, the already tense relations between Chile and Peru got more difficult with his arrival Sunday last from Japan. The former leader is wanted on more than 20 charges that include corruption and human rights abuses, Fujimori’s charter jet plane left his self-imposed exiled in Japan, made an hour stop-over in

Jorge Garretonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12162021343925243553noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16748363.post-1131068109267099892005-11-03T22:34:00.000-03:002005-11-04T12:50:36.563-03:00

Chile and Peru have become entangled in a border row after Peru’s Congress passed this Thursday, legislation redrawing its sea border with Chile, contravening two treaties signed in 1952 and 1954. The view from Santiago is that Peru wants to claim 35,000 square kilometres of sea from Chile, home to rich fishing grounds.This began when the Peruvian government of President Alejandro Toledo sent

Jorge Garretonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12162021343925243553noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16748363.post-1129855497018368222005-10-20T21:44:00.000-03:002005-10-25T19:10:45.626-03:00

Chile’s vast export industry has come into question by non-governmental organizations (NGO) due to the serious labour and environmental conditions faced by workers. Chile is rapidly becoming one of the worlds major producer of agricultural products and salmon consumed in Europe, Canada and United States. Local NGO’s charge that poor labour and environmental conditions give Chile an unfair

Jorge Garretonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12162021343925243553noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16748363.post-1129776112933942362005-10-19T23:41:00.000-03:002005-10-20T20:55:02.703-03:00

This Wednesday morning the Chilean Supreme Court gave the green light to prosecute former dictator Augusto Pinochet for fiscal crimes. The Supreme Court lifted the former dictator’s immunity in the so-called Riggs Bank case. Pinochet is charged with tax evasion, illicit enrichment and forgery of official documents.The Supreme Court decision read this morning at Santiago’s Palace of Justice, stems

Jorge Garretonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12162021343925243553noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16748363.post-1128039544219831412005-09-29T20:16:00.000-04:002005-10-01T20:56:03.990-04:00

The presidential election campaign got into full swing this week, when conservative presidential candidate Joaquín Lavín, accused ruling Concertación centre-left coalition presidential candidate Michelle Bachelet, as being “soft on crime” and that “criminals will vote for Bachelet” in the upcoming presidential election. Lavín accused the Concertación coalition as being “soft on crime and keeping

Jorge Garretonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12162021343925243553noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16748363.post-1127019817739825382005-09-17T12:30:00.000-04:002005-09-22T17:12:06.430-04:00

A day before Chile’s 195th Independence Day celebrations, President Ricardo Lagos signed into Law the country’s revised Constitution that does away with authoritarian enclaves inherited from the military dictatorship 1980 Constitution. The signature and name of former dictator General Augusto Pinochet’s name no longer appears the country’s Constitutional text replaced today by the signature of

Jorge Garretonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12162021343925243553noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16748363.post-1126826683420315652005-09-15T19:21:00.000-04:002005-09-16T02:19:01.300-04:00

Chile’s former dictator General Augusto Pinochet, had mixed results in court this week. On Wednesday, the Supreme Court in a 10 to 6 vote gave the go-ahead for Pinochet’s prosecution on human rights crimes in the Operation Colombo case. But twenty-four hours later a panel of Supreme Court justices ruled Pinochet was not criminally responsible in another human rights crimes case; known as

Jorge Garretonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12162021343925243553noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16748363.post-1126747673787638982005-09-14T21:23:00.000-04:002005-09-15T20:53:39.263-04:00

In this corner I will interpret to the reader about the goings-on of Chile. Its reality, its politics, its economy, its environmental reality, its people, its challenges. Chile is vast country bounded by the imposing Andes Mountains to the east, by the vast Pacific Ocean to the west, by the driest desert -the Atacama- in the world by north and by the Antarctic continent in the south. In “The

Jorge Garretonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12162021343925243553noreply@blogger.com