Chile: Hidden Housing Damage Frightens Santiago Tenants

Former dictator Juan Maria Bordaberry was sentenced this week to 30 years in prison for violating the constitution when he led a 1973 coup that ushered in 12 years of dictatorship.

The 81-year-old Bordaberry is the second former Uruguayan dictator sentenced to a long prison term in the past four months. In late October, ex-strongman Gregorio Alvarez was sentenced to 25 years.

The Latin American dictatorships that emerged in the 1970s were largely supported by the U.S. government, locked at that time in an ideological cold war – capitalism versus communism -- with the Soviet Union. The military regimes remained in power and - with the help of U.S. intelligence – killed and tortured thousands of “leftist” sympathizers throughout the region.  

International Atomic Energy Agency director Yuri Sokolov talks about Chile's nuclear energy potential and challenges

In a recent interview, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Nuclear Energy department director Yuri Sokolov said Chile`s President-elect Sebastian Piñera and his administration must change current legislation and win over public opinion if the country wants to seriously realize its nuclear energy potential. 

Looking to benefit the tourist industry

Economy Minister Jean-Jacques Duhart announced plans to invest over US$4 million in improving Chile's English proficiency as part of a larger effort to promote national tourism. This amount doubles the funding in 2009.

The announcement was made during a ceremony in which the first 1,400 students to finish the program received certification.

The initiative will provide 2,500 Chileans working or studying in the tourism sector with government-funded intensive English-language courses.