November 1, 2007        www.LatinEPR.com        

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LATIN AMERICA - NEWS BRIEFS

 

Media and technology

 

Turner Wraps $234 Million TV Deal in LatAm

 

This past month, Turner Broadcasting System completed a US$234 million acquisition of seven pay TV networks in Latin America, Variety.com reported.  The purchase of these networks, which include Fashion TV, HTV, and I. Sat, means that TBS now runs 13 owned and 10 represented networks in the region, and has thereby expanded their reach to 107 million Latin American homes and hotel rooms.  The new networks were bought from Buenos Aires- and Miami-based Claxson.

 

Latin America: Internet Usage in Latin America

 

(Internet Business Law Services) – In Latin America the Internet audience exceeds 53 million, according to data released by comScore. Page views in Brazil are 40 percent higher than the Latin American average. Brazil comprises the largest online population with 15.8 million monthly unique visitors, though Internet penetration is 11 percent. By contrast, the Internet population in Chile is 5.6 million, but registers an Internet penetration of 45 percent.  Internet users across Latin America tend to spend more time online each month than the global average of 25 hours. In June Latin American Internet browsers averaged 29 hours. ComScore EVP of International Markets Bob Ivins called the Latin American market a "rapidly developing market." He said," Because the Internet was more developed as Latin American users became more engaged, they do searches at a higher rate than the U.S. They got on the slope at a different rate."   Yahoo and Google may receive the most unique visitors in the U.S., though in Latin America Microsoft garners the most uniques with 47.3 million visits, and 88 percent reach. Global companies like Google (46.5 million unique visitors); Yahoo (35.1 million); and Terra Networks (27.4 million) follow behind Microsoft. Additional unique traffic goes to MercadoLibre (23.7 million unique visitors); Wikipedia (21 million); UOL Red (14.7 million); Ares Galaxy (14.6 million); Fox Interactive Media (14.1 million); and France Telecom (13.8 million).

 

TRAVEL

 

Bolivia Plans Ruta del Che Tourist Route

 

Bolivians have launched a tourism project called “Ruta del Che”, intended to guide visitors down the jungle paths along which Argentine-born revolutionary Che Guevara fought the Bolivian army in the 1960’s, the Deutsche Presse Agentur recently reported.  The project coincides with the 40-year anniversary of Guevara’s death, around which many events are planned, particularly in Vallegrande, where he remains buried.  Teofilo Baldiviezo Luna, one of the people in charge of the project told the DPA that some 40 people from around the world, but especially Europe, visit the site at Vallegrande every day.  However, “Ruta del Che” should ultimately help to serve not merely as a historical guide, but also to showcase the area’s natural treasures and indigenous culture.

 

Mexico City Launches Tourist Routes on a Bike

 

This month, 25 hotels in the historic center of Mexico City received a municipal bequest of 10 bicycles each, as part of the “Tourist Routes on Bikes” program, which links 79 points of interest on eight routes along the tourist corridor on Paseo de la Reforma.   The program is part of an effort by officials to begin pressing a more environmentally-friendly agenda and reduce motor vehicle traffic.  Mexico City is the world’s second most populated city and its streets are traveled by some 3.7 million vehicles a day, according to official figures. Mayor Marcelo Ebrard is determined to take the initiative and has issued an order that public officials must cycle to work on the first Monday of every month. 

 

Colombia to Host UNWTO General Assembly

 

This upcoming month, Cartagenas de Indias, Colombia, will host the 17th World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) General Assembly, at which time experts and members of the organization will discuss global rules concerning tourism ethics and UN millennium goals regarding sustainable development in the tourism industry.  The event will also be an important forum for the topic of climate change.  Suggestions from this assembly will consequently be presented at the major climate change summit in December in Bali, Indonesia.  With the Kyoto Protocol expiring in 2012, the UNWTO plays an important part in determining how tourism and travel will affect climate change and the global carbon market.

 

Buenos Aires Wins Best Americas City

 

This October, Buenos Aires was chosen Top City in the Americas by Conde Nast Magazine 20th annual Reader’s Choice Awards.  This year’s poll was voted upon by a record 28,000 readers.  Within its category, Buenos Aires was followed by Vancouver and Victoria, Canada, in second and third place, respectively.  The top island in the Caribbean was Bermuda, followed by St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands, and St. Barthelemy, French West Indies.

 

Economy and Politics

 

Costa Rica Rules on CAFTA

 

(AFP) – Costa Rica has backed a free trade agreement with the United States, with voters overcoming deep reservations to hand a narrow referendum victory to President Oscar Arias on the issue. Turnout was 60 percent -- far above the 40 percent threshold needed for the result to be binding and the deal automatically ratified.  The Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) has been ratified by several other countries in the region, but faced widespread opposition in Costa Rica, where Arias was forced to call a referendum after three years of debate. Many in Costa Rica, a highly literate, relatively prosperous nation in a poor part of the world, fear that assets such as the state's lucrative public telecom and insurance monopolies would be sold off under the deal.  Businesses fear they would have to shift production to poor neighboring countries such as Nicaragua and Honduras. CAFTA supporters meanwhile say that accepting it would boost Costa Rica's exports by half a billion dollars from the first year.

 

Uruguay and Argentina Reach Long-Sought Agreement in Paper Mill Conflict

 

Uruguayan President Tabare Vazquez plans to sign an agreement with Argentine President Nestor Kirchner this November to end the conflict surrounding the Botnia paper mill on the Uruguay River, according to a report in Stratfor.  The conflict over the construction of the paper mill has been raging for over two years and stems from the fact that the river on which it is built forms a natural boundary between Argentina and Uruguay.  Since residents on the Argentine side of the river first protested against the mill’s construction, on account of environmental concerns, the cellulose plant has been at the heart of a diplomatic battle.  Argentina has claimed that the mill defies a treaty which obligates either country to notify the other of any projects that affect the river, while Uruguay has countered with objections against the Argentine roadblocks on the river’s bridges, claiming these tactics have disrupted tourism and transportation to the country, violating Mercosur principles and costing the Uruguayan economy upwards of $400 million in losses.  Recent applications to Mercosur and the International Court of Justice for some mediation or arbitration in the conflict have not been successful for either side.  It is perhaps this impasse which has led to the recent truce.  The agreement would obligate both governments to commit to design a program for joint economic development and environmental sustainability.

 

Brazil 5th Most Attractive Country for Investment

 

A survey conducted by the United Nations Conference on Trade and development (Unctad) has ranked Brazil the fifth most attractive country for foreign direct investment, ANBA recently reported.  Brazil was only surpassed by India, China, the US, and Russia in the survey, conducted among 192 of the largest transnational companies in the world.  According to the report, companies cited Brazil’s market size and growth, and natural resources, as reason’s for its positive investment climate.  Indeed, preliminary data from the Brazilian Central Bank shows that Brazil already received $24.2 billion in FDI between January and August of this year, an amount that already surpasses total investments made last year ($22.7 billion).  Most funds appear to come from the Netherlands, the US, Luxembourg, Spain, and Germany.  In terms of the region, Brazil is joined in the ranking’s top 10 by Mexico, which placed 9th.  Other Latin American countries placed lower: Argentina, 29; Venezuela, 31; Chile, 37; and Peru in 40th position.

 

Argentina Chooses First Woman President

 

First Lady of Argentina Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner made history this past month by being elected the first woman president of her country.  Mrs. Kirchner captured about 46% of the vote, beating out 13 other presidential hopefuls and eliminating the need for a voting run-off.  Argentina’s prosperity under her husband, current President Nestor Kirchner, likely had a positive effect on her campaign.  His policy of increasing Argentina’s economic independence by separating from such global entities as the IMF, for example, are regarded by many as having contributed to the country’s current stability.  Throughout her campaign, it was this economic independence which Mrs. Kirchner promised to ensure for the future.

 

General Interest

 

Venezuela’s Youth Orchestra Draws World Attention

 

Venezuela has invested $27 million in a new academy for what is arguably its most successful social program, “the system” – a network of youth orchestras that has defied political upheaval, expanding to 75 centers across the country over the past three decades and producing world-acclaimed talent.  This past month, The Economist reported on the new academy, which will be composed of a 1,100-seat concert hall and 90 classrooms, providing teaching facilities for over 2000 children at a time.  The article highlights the fact that the academy is not an elite conservatory, but one that offers free tuition for students of all backgrounds.  Currently, four-fifths of the children are from poor families and many have physical or mental disabilities.  The “system” has been so successful in fostering talent, it has received UNESCO’s international music prize and been replicated by other countries, most recently Scotland.  One product of the system is renowned conductor Gustavo Dudamel, who just this August conducted the Simon Bolivar National Youth Orchestra of Venezuela in London and Edinburgh, to rave reviews, and will be leading his charges in San Francisco this month.

 

3-Year Old Survives 12 Days Lost in the Amazon

 

This past month, 3-year old Neilson Oliveira Lima was found alive after being lost alone in the Brazilian Amazon forest for close to 12 days.  The child, who lives in the rural community of Pupuai, had tried to follow his father, a farmer, to work when it lost its way.  He was found again by his cousin two miles from his home, dehydrated and covered in thorns but otherwise unharmed.  The family assumes the child must have fed on wild plants while out in the forest, which is known to be inhabited by jaguars, hawks, and a variety of snakes.

 

40th Anniversary of Che Guevara

 

This October countries in Latin America and around the world commemorated the 40th anniversary of the death of Argentine-born revolutionary Ernesto Guevara, better known as “Che” Guevara.  An asthmatic doctor with no formal military training, Guevara rose to prominence as a political activist and guerilla leader after the Cuban Revolution of 1959, when together with Fidel Castro he deposed the Batista government.  Since then, the man and the legend have been surrounded by controversy and mystique, his story immortalized in literature and film, his face made instantly recognizable by countless t-shirts.  Articles this past month have all asked the question of why Guevara remains such an iconic figure despite the controversy of his life.  Regardless of the answer, it is clear he still represents a spirit of change and social reform in the minds of millions, Latin America commemorating him with a 5-day festival in Bolivia, art exhibitions and concerts in Venezuela and Mexico, and a giant chess match in Cuba.  In Spain, Madrid hosted a special film festival, and there were numerous other tributes across Europe, the US, and Africa.   

 

Rainforest under Fire

 

Last month, intense fires extended from Santa Cruz in the east of Bolivia to the Brazilian frontier city of Porto Velho, burning so intensely they blocked out the sun and caused widespread respiratory disorders, according to the Independent.  Roberto Smeraldi, head of Friends of the Earth Brazil, attributes the severe situation to cattle ranchers who set fires at the end of the dry season to clear the land.  The age-old practice is now having serious repercussions as cattle ranching grows into an ever larger industry and encroaches on forested areas.  The Independent report reveals that although Brazil does not appear on industrial indices of the world’s leading polluters, it is among the world’s top four carbon emitters when deforestation is factored in. Needless to say, the ailing Brazilian airline industry is not helped by these fires, which have also forced the cancellation of flights.

 

Chile Creates Childhood Rights Council

 

The Chilean government has created a Childhood Rights Council to focus on children rights laws, the Santiago times reported this past month.  The new council, which incorporated representatives from 31 public and private institutions like UNICEF and the National Television Council, is an important step in safeguarding children and adolescents in Chile, as it will not only monitor existing laws but also propose legislation and gather reliable information to direct public policy.  Council director, former National Children’s Service Minister Paula Fernandez, who was interviewed by the Santiago Times, explains that this is part of President Michelle Bachelet’s overall focus on social issues.  The council is also a great general stride for Chile in terms of protecting human rights.  Similar councils already exist in Europe and are seen by UNICEF as important in integrating a country’s social efforts and eliminating disparities.