President Michelle Bachelet

Chilean President Michelle Bachelet began her holidays this week. The current President traveled to the Caburga Lake, where she will stay in her vacation house until February 15^th. According to Carabineros, Chile’s National Uniformed Police, Bachelet arrived in the location under a high-security operation in order to protect the President from any incidents. Once the President holidays finish, she will immediately start an international tour that will take her to Mexico, where she will attend the Rio Group Summit to later travel to Haiti in support of the Chilean Rescue Programs.

The Department of Public Works, or MOP, received a new construction proposal. Iniciativas Privadas, a Chilean-Spanish company, presented a new construction project to the Chilean Department of Public Works. The project consists of building a high speed train between the two most important Chilean cities; Valparaíso and Santiago. If approved, the project, which is called “Santiago – 5^th Region”, would cost approximately US611 million dollars, with a construction date scheduled for 2013. According to Sergio Bitar, Minister of Public Works, this initiative would definitely enhance tourism and, of course, benefit thousands of Santiago and Valparaíso residents.

A third body was discovered in the aftermath of the tragedy in Chiloé. According to Puerto Montt’s “El Llanquihue” newspaper,  a third body was found after the “Soledad II” ferry, travelling the Chacao channel, sunk last Tuesday and caused ten people to lose their lives. The body, whose gender has not been officially confirmed, was found in the area of Punta Coronel, near the construction site of the new pier for the ferries crossing the channel. The body will be taken to the Forensic Medicine Department of Ancud this week. According to Eduardo Campos, one of the divers who participated in the rescue teams, the body was discovered by locals, who immediately contacted the maritime authorities of the area.

The National Forestry Corporation, or Conaf, has handled forest fires efficiently. According to Conaf’s executive director, Catalina Bau, the citizens of the areas affected by recent forest fires have managed to

The National Forestry Corporation

respect and follow the preventive measurements imposed by the corporation in a very successful manner. Conaf reported that the fires have decreased over the last week, registering only one fire this weekend. In addition, Bau pointed out the hard work by Conaf brigades and national fire departments to put out and control the fires by calling on the population to keep helping as much as they can.

And finally the 2^nd edition of ‘The Pulse’, Chile’s only ALL English print newspaper is available.  In this edition find out more about the President Elect Sebastian Pinera, take a look back at the news headlines of 2009 and get advice on everything from Valentine’s Day and your sunscreen to divorce in Chile.

The Pulse is available for free at the following fine outlets Ruby Tuesday’s, Dunkin Donuts, Conoce Chile as well as the I Love Chile offices located at Av Bucarest 118.  or email us to get your copy of The Pulse delivered to your home or office subscription@ilovechile.cl

News Sources: La Tercera, Noticias 123, Cooperativa, Las Últimas Noticias