Chilean Political and Economic Uncertaintyactive

The latest Plaza Pública survey, conducted by Cadem and covering the first week of May, showed a slight increase in the approval rating of President José Antonio Kast, following several weeks marked by a downward trend in public support for his administration. According to the survey results, the President's approval rating rose by four percentage points, reaching 42%, while the disapproval rate decreased by three points, standing at 53%. The study also delved into the reasons behind both the support for and the rejection of the head of state. Among those who approve of his administration, 51% stated that they support the President because "he has made brave decisions, even if they are unpopular," while 46% appreciated that he promotes "a vision of government focused on growth, security, and immigration." In contrast, the main criticisms are directed at the executive branch's economic agenda. Fifty-three percent of those who disapprove of the President cited "the tax reform and the reduction of taxes on companies" as the main reason, while 35% questioned "the cuts in public spending." Economic pessimism continues to prevail. Despite the partial recovery in the presidential approval rating, the survey revealed a scenario of strong public concern regarding the country's economic and labor situation. According to the survey, 53% believe that Chile is heading in the wrong direction, compared to 42% who believe that the country...

In his film Amadeus (1984), Miloš Forman portrays the composer Antonio Salieri, who feels a fierce envy of Mozart and, instead of trying to surpass him with his own talent, dedicates his efforts to scheming to undermine Mozart's reputation. Antonio's actions neither improved his own musical quality nor that of other composers; they only dragged everyone down by stifling Mozart's creativity. The lesson is clear: weakening the best does not elevate the level of the rest; it only lowers the overall standard. Inequality is often addressed analogously to musical talent, as a problem of the "ceiling height," with efforts focused on answering the question of how much is concentrated at the top of the distribution, while forgetting that the focus for achieving progress should be on raising the floor. The metaphor is simple: lowering the ceiling—through taxes, restrictions, or costs—will change indicators of inequality, but it will not raise the floor. In fact, if these measures affect investment, the accumulation of human capital, or productivity, they will limit opportunities for the most vulnerable. Conversely, policies focused on growth, competition, or the quality of education are associated with a higher quality of life, even where inequality persists. The evidence supports this distinction. Studies from the World Bank show that countries with sustained growth in per capita GDP experience faster reductions in poverty, even with changes to…

The regional electoral courts (TREs) are currently accepting registrations to expand and renew the pool of volunteer poll workers who will be working in the general elections in October 2026. Registration can be done permanently with the electoral authorities. The poll worker is responsible for overseeing the voting process in the polling stations. Campaign Related News: Elections: Deadline to obtain or regularize your voter ID ends this Wednesday. Elections 2026: The Attorney General's Office provides guidance to public officials on prohibited conduct. Since March, a campaign by the Superior Electoral Court (TSE) has been calling for volunteers to work as poll workers. The content broadcast on radio and television stations focuses on recruiting new volunteers and has been adapted for social media platforms (Instagram, TikTok, and LinkedIn) to reach a younger audience. Who can be a poll worker? Any voter over the age of 18 can register, provided they are in good standing with the electoral authorities. Those who are running for an elected position in this election, as well as relatives (up to second degree) of candidates, and members of political party committees who hold executive positions, are not eligible to be poll workers. Police officers are also prohibited from being appointed, as they participate in the electoral process in other ways, such as providing security at polling stations and transporting ballot boxes. How to volunteer Registration is done online, preferably through the e-Título application, or on the websites of the regional electoral courts.

Approximately 10 years ago, Flor Yanet Hurtado Perlaza lived in Rancagua. She was murdered there, and her case is being investigated by the Chilean Investigative Police (PDI).

Regarding the youth justice project currently being processed in Congress, the National Attorney General, Ángel Valencia, stated that the Attorney General's Office has been considering creating a specialized team to monitor these cases, similar to the Organized Crime and Homicide Unit (ECOH). "Just as we saw the need to implement ECOH because there was a serious problem with homicides within the context of organized crime, and later with kidnappings within the context of organized crime, we are now going to get involved in this in whatever way we can," the Attorney General assured. In the "Estado Nacional" program, Valencia also added that "we were calling this an ECOH 2, a second phase of ECOH, or a second project with a similar inspiration." According to Valencia, this initiative would be inspired by a British program, which they plan to propose and implement in the country as a pilot project in the second half of this year, with the support of the Inter-American Development Bank. "What comparative experience has shown is that what these young people need is monitoring. That the measures imposed on them are enforced. They need control and oversight, both by the police and by all authorities, to ensure that they comply with the measures imposed on them and to reintegrate them into the school system. They need to feel observed, to feel monitored, and we must not disengage from this..."

The Guarantee Court of Coyhaique ordered a travel restriction for the current senator, Miguel Ángel Calisto, who is under investigation for the crime of fraud against the state, with a history of repeated offenses. The regional prosecutor of Aysén, Hernán Libedinsky, along with the chief prosecutor of Coyhaique, Luis Contreras Alfaro, presented an updated figure for the amount defrauded, which is set at $105,554,697, exceeding the previously calculated $103 million. Libedinsky stated that, at the request of the prosecution, they ordered the travel restriction and prohibited communication with the other individuals implicated in the case, specifically Carla Graf Toledo and Roland Cárcamo Catalán. In addition, the court granted the prosecution's request to extend the investigation period by another 60 days, due to the fact that further investigative steps remain to be carried out by the Economic Crimes Investigation Brigade (Bridec) of the Criminal Investigation Agency (PDI). The Facts According to the charges, the events occurred during the period when Calisto served as a deputy, between 2018 and 2022. According to the prosecution's theory, the parliamentarian allegedly colluded with Roland Cárcamo and Carla Graf, both public officials, to fraudulently obtain state funds through parliamentary consultancy contracts that were not actually executed. The funds received by Graf were allegedly intended for the personal benefit of Cárcamo and Calisto. Furthermore, they were…

Christiane Endler added another title to her collection in France. The Chilean goalkeeper was in the starting lineup for OL Lyon's 4-1 victory over PSG in the final of the French Women's Cup. With this win, the national team goalkeeper reached her tenth title since joining the Rhône-based team and once again emerged victorious against her former team. The match began with Lyon dominating possession and playing in PSG's half. Melchie Dumornay was crucial in this, physically imposing herself and consistently creating problems on the flanks. In the 22nd minute, Lyon opened the scoring. The Haitian forward received the ball near the edge of the area and fired a shot that went past goalkeeper Mary Earps for a 1-0 lead. The team, coached by Jonatan Giráldez, maintained the pressure. A cross from Lindsey Heaps found the French attacker Vicki Bècho, who headed it in. It was 2-0 in the 35th minute. Then, in the 40th minute, the same connection between the two players resulted in a 3-0 lead, sealing Lyon's comfortable lead at the end of the first half. During this part of the match, and specifically in the final moments of the first half, Endler made her first significant appearance. Just two minutes after the second goal, the Chilean goalkeeper won a one-on-one duel against Romée Leuchter, preventing PSG from immediately reducing the deficit. The goalkeeper intervened again in the 42nd minute when Sakina Karchaoui reached the baseline and assisted Jennifer Echegini. The shot forced Endler to react with a save...

Minute-by-minute updates: PSG 0-0 OL Lyonnes Follow the match live The match has begun 1'. PSG and OL Lyonnes are underway in the French Cup final at the Stade du Hainaut in Valenciennes. Background Christiane Endler is set to play in the French Cup final. Read more on El Deportivo. ⚽ Tiane Endler and OL Lyonnes are aiming for their fourth trophy of the season in the French Cup final: https://t.co/4yuwCNrQAp pic.twitter.com/xEzuTrc1zC — El Deportivo LT (@ElDeportivoLT) May 10, 2026 OL Lyonnes Starting Lineup The starting lineup. ✊#PSGOL pic.twitter.com/tDo8jXtDiS — OL Lyonnes (@ol__lyonnes) May 10, 2026 PSG Starting Lineup The starting XI for our Parisiennes in this French Cup final. ⚔️#PSGOLL I #CDFF pic.twitter.com/5SK3pIMFUX — PSG Féminines (@PSG_Feminines) May 10, 2026 Welcome Christiane Endler is in the starting lineup for OL Lyonnes against PSG in the French Cup final, and you can follow the match live with El Deportivo.

"What do they want, a protest march in front of the Ministry of Education?" The fiscal adjustment process has not been easy for the administration of José Antonio Kast. The announced 3% reduction in ministerial spending, along with Official Document No. 16 – both decreed by the Ministry of Finance to ensure the accounts are balanced – created friction and caused significant damage within the newly formed cabinet. The record shows the public rebellion of the Minister of Housing, Iván Poduje, against his counterpart at the Ministry of Finance, Jorge Quiroz. However, there was also strong, albeit less well-known, resistance from other ministries during the process. This is what happened during the week of March 30th – just 20 days after the Kast government began – during a meeting between the Ministry of Education's team and the Directorate of Budget (Dipres). During the meeting, tensions rose to the point that the Ministry of Education, led by María Paz Arzola, even warned of the possibility of student protests. The situation escalated. Government sources reveal that the Ministry of Finance adopted a hard-line stance. The Ministry of Education also insisted on achieving a 3% reduction in the budget. The Ministry of Education argued that 82% of the resources are already committed by law and that these cuts were already in place during the administration of Gabriel Boric. This is a point that Arzola has repeatedly emphasized since taking office. "The reality is that the education budget is already..."

DEAR EDITOR: The government's proposed security measures will include reforms to the police and prisons. We hope that adjustments to the criminal procedure system will also be considered (it's pointless for the police to arrest a criminal if they are subsequently acquitted due to procedural issues). In fact, from time to time, we hear of rulings where the release or lenient sentence imposed on the defendant is difficult to understand. Therefore, it is advisable to reconsider certain legal concepts, such as illegally obtained evidence, or to establish presumptions that would facilitate the judge's work. Furthermore, there are cases where even an academic perspective cannot explain judicial decisions, and there is reason to suspect threats against judges or witnesses, especially in cases related to organized crime. To avoid such situations and ensure fair trials free from intimidation, governments must think outside the box. In Peru, there have even been proposals to reinstate anonymous judges for certain crimes—a measure that is quite complicated from a human rights perspective. Each state will have to find its own solutions, but a review of the procedures must be part of the solution in Chile. Álvaro Paúl

Last Wednesday, President José Antonio Kast made the following statement during a meeting with residents of the Los Lagos region, regarding education: "Sometimes, 500 million is allocated to a research project that ends up as a beautiful book in the library: How many jobs did it create? None." The president's statement was sharp, gratuitous, and, at the same time, imprecise, causing concern and annoyance from the scientific research community to the world of literature. President Kast offered a reflection that seemed pulled out of thin air, lacking any basis in reality regarding the amount mentioned – there is no fund that allocates such a high sum to scientific research – and without even providing an example to clarify how the expressed idea was formed. The crux of the statement is the image it paints of a library as a graveyard for public money, while juxtaposing it with the slippery concept of "generating work" and a "beautiful book." On one side, a sterile luxury; on the other, a practical and productive virtue: choose what you support. This is a reductive and simplistic dichotomy. The president's calm tone does not dilute the violent echo of opinions expressed recently by his close associates, such as the one that labeled public servants as "parasites." It is the same worldview, the same perspective on the value of other people's work, on who deserves to be...

Christiane Endler will play in another final. She participates in them so frequently that it almost seems like an easy achievement. This Sunday, her club, OL Lyonnes, will face PSG in the French Cup final. PSG is the former team of the Chilean goalkeeper and their main rival in the country. This will be only the second of the four trophies they could potentially win this season. The match will be emotionally charged for Tiane and her team. The player, who came through the ranks at Colo Colo, defended the colors of the Paris team from 2017 to 2021, during which time she won two titles: the French Cup in 2017-18 and the league championship in 2020-2021. Meanwhile, the two teams will meet again after the French League Cup final they played in March. This was the first edition of the tournament, which was held in Ivory Coast, and saw OL Lyonnes crowned champions. This Sunday, they will face each other again in the second final that Endler could play this season, a competition in which they eliminated Saint-Étienne in the round of 32, Marseille in the round of 16, Le Havre in the quarterfinals, and Racing Strasbourg in the semifinals; all matches resulting in convincing victories for OL Lyonnes. They are also competing for the league title and the Champions League. And there's more. Following the aforementioned French Cup final, Jonatan Giráldez's team will have to face the semifinals of the Division 1 Féminine (the French women's league). They qualified for this "Final Four" as the top team with...

Beneath the shining white glaciers of the Andean mountains lie valuable deposits of gold, copper and molybdenum which, until recently, were off-limits to the mining companies that have set their eyes on these untapped minerals. That could be about to change, after legislators in Argentina agreed to amend the Glacier Law that has prohibited all mining and exploration activities in the country’s glacier regions since 2010. The legislation defined the country’s 16,000 glaciers – covering an area of...

Argentinian coach Ernesto Corti announced this Friday his departure from Alianza Fútbol Club, bringing an end to a period of success and titles at one of the most important clubs in El Salvador. According to statements collected by Radio Sonora during a press conference, the decision stems from a breakdown in the relationship between the coaching staff and the team, a situation that led both parties to mutually agree to terminate the contract. "We mutually decided to end the contractual agreement we had," Corti confirmed, explaining that the harmony with the players had deteriorated in the days leading up to the quarterfinals of the local tournament. According to Corti himself, the management and the team of Alianza FC held intense meetings throughout the week, including conversations with the club's president, Gonzalo Zibrian. "Some situations occurred that made me reflect and confirmed the breakdown of the harmony that existed between the players and myself," the coach detailed, specifying that it was a meeting requested by the players that ultimately convinced him to make the decision. The coach, who arrived at Alianza in 2016, expressed his gratitude for the opportunity and reviewed the achievements obtained during his tenure. "We have achieved important things with the coaching staff I have had. It has been twelve tournaments, full of successes. We have played eight..."

For this Sunday, May 10th, which marks Mother's Day in Chile, the "Nuestros Parques" group has prepared activities for the over 100,000 people who may visit the various cemeteries throughout the country. The company operates five parks: Parque El Prado in Puente Alto, Parque El Manantial in Maipú, Parque Canaán in Pudahuel, Parque Santiago in Huechuraba, and Parque La Foresta in La Serena. During the weekend, these locations will operate under their normal hours, from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM. However, they will also host religious ceremonies, feature participation from local entrepreneurs, offer entertainment areas for children, and display a commemorative mural where visitors can leave messages in memory of their mothers. Starting at 4:30 PM this Sunday, the Parque El Manantial cemetery, located at Los Agricultores 60 in Maipú, will feature a performance by the group Natalino. Similarly, at Parque La Foresta in La Serena, a tribute concert to Luis Fonsi will be held on the same day, starting at 3:30 PM. The company's general manager, Ericha Sandrock, stated that "the purpose of the 'Nuestros Parques' group is to be a space for gathering to honor the lives and memories of our loved ones, while also providing a comprehensive experience for families to share a moment of reflection and remembrance." She also commented that "this is a very emotional date, and historically, the number of visitors even exceeds that of the traditional [holidays]..."

With an initial focus on soil restoration, the Las Condes Municipality led a day dedicated to restoring the areas affected by the fire that occurred in the San Carlos de Apoquindo park. This was in response to the forest fire that broke out at the end of December 2025 in San Carlos de Apoquindo, a key site for biodiversity. The area also represents a strategic ecosystem for the water balance of the Maipo River basin, which provides drinking water for over 80% of the Metropolitan Region. In this context, and considering the over 1,000 hectares affected, more than 300 volunteers participated in the event on May 8th, focusing on soil recovery, a critical aspect of the restoration process. "We experienced a hopeful morning as we work to restore the sclerophyllous forest and a vital green space for our city. Events like these help strengthen our connection with the environment, with the foothills, and at the same time, raise awareness about the importance of protecting it together," said Catalina San Martín, Mayor of Las Condes and President of the Cordillera Park Association. Through Water and Soil Conservation Works (OCAS), the operation focused on preventing erosion, restoring nutrients, and capturing water on the slopes, with the aim of creating the conditions for the ecosystem to regenerate.

The expectation was that the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for April would be between 1.4% and 1.7%, due to the increase in gasoline prices and their effects. However, it fell below those expectations, reaching 1.3%, accumulating a total of 2.7% for the year, and rising from 2.8% to 4% over the past twelve months, the highest figure since September 2025. As expected, the transportation sector had the greatest impact on the result, with a monthly increase of 8.0% and a contribution of 1.011 percentage points (pp.) to the overall CPI. Within that sector, the category of fuels for personal vehicles increased by 27.9% and contributed 0.978 pp. The second most significant factor was the housing and basic services sector, which recorded monthly increases in six of its ten categories. In terms of specific products, gasoline saw a monthly increase of 25.3%, contributing 0.774 pp., followed by diesel, which rose by 45.7%, contributing 0.204 pp, and liquefied gas, which increased by 5.8% monthly, contributing 0.083 pp, accumulating a total of 3.2% for the year. Intercity bus transportation also contributed to the result, with a monthly increase of 18.6% and a contribution of 0.053 pp. On the other hand, the sector with the most significant monthly decrease was clothing and footwear (-1.8%). Experts agree that the impact on other products was less than expected. In that regard, in Santander, they say that while this is the first complete monthly figure after the international fuel prices were passed on to consumers...

DEAR EDITOR: The falsification of information to gain access to free education cannot be treated as a minor issue, an innocent trick, or a "justifiable" deception. It is an abuse of the system, but also of those who genuinely need this support, of scarce public resources, and of the very concept of justice. Even more concerning is the role of certain "experts" who, despite not being qualified, position themselves as facilitators of this deception, teaching people how to conceal data, minimize income, or fabricate stories to appear vulnerable. When knowledge is used to distort reality, not only is a rule violated; social trust is eroded, and the meaning of professional training is blurred. It is particularly troubling that social workers are implicated in these practices, straining a discipline whose core should be the promotion of social justice and public ethics. Resources are limited, and each benefit has a clear recipient. However, the idea that a "shortcut" is acceptable, even teachable, takes hold, and practices such as falsifying documents, licenses, or records begin to seem like part of the everyday landscape. Education cannot be a space for learning how to circumvent rules. Training professionals also means instilling judgment and ethical responsibility. One must ask whether we still distinguish between what is right and what is convenient, or whether ethics has become dispensable. It is urgent to discuss this without...

SMU, the supermarket chain, announced this Friday that, following the annual review processes of its two credit rating agencies, both decided to reaffirm the company's rating at AA-, maintaining a stable outlook. Moody's Local Chile conducted its annual review in March, while the rating agency Feller Rate completed the process in April. Arturo Silva, Corporate Manager of Administration and Finance at SMU, stated that "we believe that the reaffirmation of the credit rating reflects the company's current financial situation and future prospects. While we experienced a lower operating result in 2025, this was due, in part, to strategic decisions that impacted sales, prioritizing profitability over volume and accelerating the conversion of the Wholesale 10 format to strengthen the company's competitive position in the future. However, the lower sales were offset by a significant recovery in the gross margin, which allowed us to increase our contribution. Furthermore, we faced extraordinary increases in operating expenses, associated with labor costs and electricity tariffs, which should not be repeated in the future. Therefore, we expect a much more moderate growth in the coming periods. During 2026 and the following years, we expect to reap the benefits of the growth and efficiency initiatives that we have implemented..."

During the ChileDay event held today in New York, the Minister of Finance, Jorge Quiroz, presented the main economic actions implemented during the first 50 days of President José Antonio Kast's administration. In a meeting with investors in New York City, the Secretary of State spoke about his ministry's efforts to "better manage fiscal accounts" and addressed the issue of state-guaranteed loans (CAE). "When I took office, we knew there were billions of dollars, literally billions, in state-guaranteed student loans that were not being repaid by the students, and the state had to bear the cost," he explained. "We cross-referenced databases and discovered, although I already suspected it, that many people were earning significantly high salaries and were not paying. We went from collecting US$1 million per month to US$23.5 million per month," he added. Amid the controversy generated by the budget cuts, Quiroz stated that while the government "will not cut social benefits," "not repaying the loan is not a social benefit." The Need for Growth Addressing the weak growth figures of the Chilean economy, the head of the finance ministry assessed that "there were a series of beliefs that clashed with reality." One of these beliefs was "that the state was the engine of wealth creation..."

Poverty in Peru decreased to 25.5% in 2025, allowing over 564,000 people to escape this condition in the past year, according to data from the interactive dashboard of the Peruvian Institute of Economics (IPE). This result reflects a recent improvement in social indicators, although it still presents challenges for consolidating these advances in the medium term. According to an analysis by economist Raquel Godoy Cedeño, director of the School of Economics and Finance at the César Vallejo University (UCV), the reduction in poverty occurred in a context of increased economic dynamism, driven primarily by the growth of private investment and formal private employment. "This result occurred in a context of greater economic dynamism," she noted, emphasizing that the improvement also had a significant regional impact. Indeed, poverty decreased in 19 of the 25 regions of the country, which demonstrates an expansion of growth with an impact on various areas. However, the specialist warned that this progress should be analyzed cautiously, as current levels are still above those of the period prior to the pandemic. Before the health crisis, poverty reached 20.2% in 2019, which means that there are currently 2.3 million more Peruvians living in poverty compared to that year. In this regard, Godoy considered it "fundamental to consolidate sustained public policies that can close the gaps..."

On April 30th, an invitation was sent to several former Chilean Ministers of Health, regardless of their political affiliation. Among them were Michelle Bachelet and Jaime Mañalich. The invitation was sent by the current Minister of Health. The text read: "May Chomali Garib, Minister of Health, cordially greets you and has the pleasure of inviting you to a lunch with former Ministers of Health, in recognition of your contributions to the country's healthcare history." The invitation continued, "This event aims to create a space for meeting and conversation, highlighting the career and experience of those who have led the healthcare sector during different periods." The event took place this Friday at the Ministry of Health headquarters located on Enrique Mac Iver Street in Santiago. As it was a lunch, the invitation also requested that former officials indicate any dietary restrictions. To the surprise of many, former President Bachelet, who served as Minister of Health in the government of Ricardo Lagos, attended the meeting. Her presence was notable, especially considering the decision by the government of José Antonio Kast not to support her candidacy for the position of Secretary-General of the United Nations. Joining her were Ximena Aguilera (government of Gabriel Boric), Helia Molina and Carmen Castillo (second Bachelet government), Álvaro Erazo (first Bachelet government), Carlos Massad (government of Eduardo Frei), and Jaime Mañalich (both governments...).

Higher education has traditionally been structured around a stable framework: in-person classes, fixed schedules, and linear learning paths. Today, this structure is incorporating new modalities, where the change isn't just in the technology, but also in the student. The expansion of online and hybrid courses caters to different profiles than the traditional ones: people who work, those who return to their studies later in life, or individuals who need more flexible and time-constrained learning paths. This transformation is forcing institutions to redesign their educational models. Therefore, the change is not just about format; it's pedagogical, technological, and institutional. According to the OECD, digital technology has moved beyond being a supplement to becoming the fundamental infrastructure for generating and disseminating knowledge. Flipped Classroom: Learning without a fixed location Rodrigo Álvarez, Director of Online Development at Duoc UC, explains that this modality attracts an older audience than traditional in-person classes, with less available time, which necessitates designing more focused courses and shorter academic periods, concentrating on fewer subjects to facilitate faster progress. "Distance learning requires discipline and self-management, but also models that promote an active role for the student," Álvarez notes. This involves experiences centered on participation—such as case studies, projects, and challenges—along with interactive platforms, and…

This Friday, the Court of Appeals of Valdivia issued a unanimous ruling upholding the appeal for protection filed by the Public Defender's Office (DPP). The ruling represents a setback for the government and the Minister of Security, Trinidad Steinert, as it declared the government's attempt to expand the lawsuit inadmissible. This relates to the case involving alleged assaults on the Minister of Science, Ximena Lincolao, where the government had invoked the State Security Law (LSE). This expansion was crucial for the presidential palace (La Moneda) because it would have allowed them to increase the potential penalties for the accused and, for example, seek their pre-trial detention. "It is noted that the Ministry of Public Security lacks the standing to file a lawsuit for the crime on which it based its attempt to expand the lawsuit, since the same law defines the powers of the aforementioned ministry and explicitly maintains the authority to file the aforementioned lawsuit within the Ministry of the Interior, without granting the Ministry of Public Security the same authority," the ruling states. The ruling confirms what several voices had already criticized Steinert for. One of them, Senator Iván Flores, had publicly stated that the minister had expanded the lawsuit while exercising a power she did not possess. At the time, Flores commented that the joint committee that processed the new Ministry of Security explicitly discussed that the power to invoke the LSE...

Just before meeting with former President Michelle Bachelet this Friday, the Argentine legislator Leandro Santoro – who arrived in Chile yesterday – was at the studio of "Desde la Redacción," La Tercera's streaming program, explaining the reason for his visit to the country, which also includes a meeting with former President Gabriel Boric. "The Argentine president (Javier Milei) has been offensive on more than one occasion, not only to President Boric, but also to Chileans. We requested meetings to convey to him that the majority of the Argentine political system, even political parties closer to the right or center-right, do not share those insults," he explains. With Bachelet and Boric, as he did with the former center-right Uruguayan president, Luis Lacalle Pou, he seeks to unite visions to address what he calls "polarization of society and the ungovernability of democracy." What brings you to Chile? We are on a regional tour. We have come from Montevideo, where we have spoken with authorities from the Frente Amplio, and even with authorities from the Partido Nacional, and now we are about to have a meeting with Michelle Bachelet and at noon with Gabriel Boric. We are very concerned about the polarization of society and the ungovernability of democracy. We are seeing that in the region there are processes of intensifying hate speech and a decline in the quality of democracy, even...

Following the announcement this morning by the National Statistics Institute (INE) that the Consumer Price Index (CPI) registered an increase of 1.3% in April, a figure that, while below market expectations (1.7%-1.8%), represents the largest increase since July 2022 (1.4%), it has been confirmed that the Unit of Account (UF) will reach a new record high. Specifically, the UF will increase by $523.12 this month, rising from $40,240.14 on May 9th to $40,763.26 on June 9th. This new increase comes just a few weeks after, on April 21st, the UF surpassed $40,000 for the first time since its creation. The UF in Chile was created in 1967 under the government of Eduardo Frei Montalva to adjust values based on inflation. Its variation is calculated using the latest monthly CPI data. The first available data from the Central Bank regarding the value of the UF is $389.10 on August 1, 1977, and from that level, it reached $10,000.81 on September 5, 1993. In other words, it took a little more than 16 years, or 5,879 days, to achieve this milestone. Then, it took a little more than 14 years, or 5,360 days, to double, reaching $20,000. On May 9, 2008, the UF reached $20,004.28. For the UF to reach $30,000 (50% more), it took a little more than 13 years, or 4,871 days. On September 9, 2021, the UF reached $30,004.41. To increase by another 33% and go from $30,000 to $40,000, the timeframes were reduced…

A survey conducted by GPS Property reveals the growth of coffee roasting businesses in the Metropolitan Region in recent years, with expansions exceeding 10% in 2024 and 2025. "They continue to establish themselves as one of the most dynamic formats in the local retail sector in the capital. According to market estimates, there are currently over 200 active locations," says the real estate advisor. Notable operators in the market include Piwén, Frutos, and La Estrella, as well as regional players that have begun to expand into the capital, such as those from Talca and Mataquito, along with a broad base of independent businesses. Some of the factors driving this growth include their "low operating costs, high turnover, and an increasingly strong demand for bulk purchases," according to GPS. According to the company, there has been a steady increase in the number of locations, which typically occupy areas between 40 and 90 square meters. The survey shows that they are primarily located in high-traffic areas such as Santiago Centro, Independencia, Recoleta, and Estación Central. Nevertheless, they are also gaining space in shopping malls, strip centers, and commercial galleries. "This format is very efficient in terms of space utilization. They are compact locations with a high density of products and a constant turnover, which allows them to maintain good sales levels even in more challenging economic scenarios," explains the real estate consultancy. "Today, coffee roasting businesses...

The regional prosecutor for the Metropolitan South area and coordinator of the Organized Crime and Homicide Unit (ECOH), Héctor Barros, addressed the increase in kidnappings and the measures to combat it this Friday morning, emphasizing that it requires comprehensive measures from the state. In an interview with Radio Agricultura, Barros stated that "neither the Public Prosecutor's Office nor the Police will ever be able to solve a phenomenon like this unless it is accompanied by a series of other measures and a state-level commitment to overcome it." According to what he explained, "the state must act in various areas, in the preventative area, in the social area, in the educational area; there are a number of factors that precede the commission of the crime, in the immigration area, etc." He also spoke about the increase in this type of crime and the efforts to combat it, noting that the figures have stabilized recently. "I hope it continues to decrease, but when this phenomenon began and when we were asked to take charge of the ECOH unit in 2023, the situation was immense; we were dealing with more than two cases a day, and then, when we started targeting the organizations, we began to have weeks with no cases at all." "It is very difficult to say whether we have it under control or whether it is out of control, because it is cyclical; you strike a blow, it decreases, they reorganize, kidnapping and homicide rates rise again, and we strike again..."

During the first two months of 2026, coffee emerged as a key product in Guatemala's exports to the United States, experiencing a growth rate that was 2.6 times higher in value compared to the same period in the previous year. According to data released by Zumma Ratings, citing the U.S. Census Bureau, the total export volume reached USD 142 million, representing an increase of approximately USD 88 million compared to the same period in 2025. This strong performance made coffee the third most important product in Guatemala's export basket to the U.S. market, surpassed only by two other products: fresh fruits and knitwear. Coffee accounted for 16.7% of the total exports from Guatemala to the United States during the analyzed period. Dominance of Agriculture and Textiles The structure of Guatemala's export basket to the U.S. maintains its traditional agricultural and textile profile. Fresh fruits led the ranking with USD 261 million in exports (30.6% of the total, with a year-on-year growth of 7.6%), followed by knitwear, which totaled USD 224 million (26.3%, with a growth of 6.7%). Together, these three categories account for approximately 74% of total exports during the first two months of the year. The top 25 Guatemalan products accounted for 97.7% of the total exports to the United States, according to the Zumma Ratings report. The i…

It's not easy to understand what progressivism aims to achieve. In recent months, it has exposed its weaknesses in the ability to agree on a common project. A series of difficulties that are now hidden behind circumstantial and empty slogans, often arising from positions taken by the opposition, but far removed from original ideas. Why does progressivism seem to lack a clear vision? I believe, in part, it's due to the absence of strong leaders. Today, those who would naturally be expected to fill those leadership roles—former officials—seem to prefer traveling outside of Chile, finding comfort in discussions and seminars with like-minded individuals, accompanied by the applause and pats on the back of those who are thousands of kilometers away from the presidential palace. In a way, they act as if they have already "fulfilled their duty" over the past four years, as if it's now time to rest, immediately after handing power over to their most formidable opponents. Instead of confronting the challenges, they prefer to "lecture" others. However, to be fair, it's not entirely surprising, considering that those individuals, in practice, primarily focused on managing power. We can agree that little effort was dedicated to offering a long-term project, perhaps because it was quickly realized that the path to the presidency didn't require any sense of shared purpose, but rather a connection with a limited lifespan, functional to the immediate goals being pursued. Given this situation, if I may ask...

"While the results for the first quarter reflect a still challenging environment, the company is dedicating all its efforts to continue improving its competitiveness on a daily basis," concluded Francisco Ruiz-Tagle, CEO of CMPC, in his letter to investors. His message aligns with the results that CMPC reported to the Securities and Markets Commission (CMF) during the first quarter of the year. During the period, the paper company within the Matte group reduced its profits by 50%, decreasing from US$50 million in the first quarter of 2025 to US$25 million in the same period this year. CMPC explained that this was related to a decline in adjusted EBITDA and an increase in net financial expenses. The performance was also lower compared to the previous quarter, at the end of 2025, when profits amounted to US$37 million. The decrease between these successive periods reached 32%. Meanwhile, the company's adjusted EBITDA reached US$255 million in the first quarter of the year, a decrease of 8% compared to the same quarter in 2025. In response, the company stated that "this variation is mainly explained by a lower operating margin in the pulp segment, an effect that was partially offset by the better performance of Softys, which is associated with a more favorable sales mix, with a greater contribution from the personal care unit, which has a higher margin." The company's sales remained…

A new poll from Plaza Pública Cadem revealed that 51% of those surveyed disagree with the major reform being pushed by the government of President José Antonio Kast, while the same percentage opposes the proposed tax cuts for companies included in the initiative. The survey included 1,003 respondents this week. Regarding the question about support for or opposition to the package of measures contained in the plan presented by the executive branch, opposition to the project increased by four points compared to the previous survey, reaching 51%. Conversely, support for the initiative fell by six points, reaching 41%. Opposition to Tax Cuts The polling firm also asked about one of the central pillars of the major reform: the reduction of the first-tier tax rate for companies, which would decrease from 27% to 23%. In this scenario, 51% expressed support for maintaining the current rate, even if it means the country continues to grow at around 2% annually, as proposed in the Cadem survey. Among those who most strongly oppose the tax cuts are women (58%), people between the ages of 18 and 34 (61%), those who identify with the left (91%), and those who voted for Jeannette Jara (93%). Furthermore, 56% of those who stated they did not vote also expressed opposition to the tax reduction. Meanwhile, 43% supported lowering taxes for companies, despite a…

DEAR EDITOR: As mentioned in Javiera Bellolio's letter, the bill seeking to prohibit surrogacy in Chile will be voted on in the Chamber's Family Affairs Committee. For those of us who have formed our families through this assisted reproduction process, this debate directly affects us. It is concerning to see the tone adopted by the committee's president, Juan Irarrázaval, a Republican Party congressman, and by Javiera herself, reducing this reality to an abstract ethical problem, disconnected from children, women, and families, with phrases like "putting a price on children." This is not only unacceptable, but also disrespectful to the families that already exist in our country. This is especially true when some members of the committee have proposed an alternative: to move forward with regulations that protect rights. This difference is significant, as it determines whether this debate is approached with responsibility or based on predetermined talking points. There are two dimensions to consider in this discussion. First, the children, whose well-being should be at the center, without questioning their origins. Second, the women who have been surrogates. Many of them have made this decision consciously, with full information and support, and maintain a bond with the families. It is unfair to speak of them only from a perspective of vulnerability or objectification. Denying them the ability to make decisions about their own bodies also seems incompatible with a moderate approach...

Taiwan power management IC (PMIC) maker Anpec Electronics recently said its 2026 growth momentum will mainly rely on demand in non-PC applications to offset declines in PC-related business, while more meaningful expansion is not expected until 2027. The company also said rising wafer packaging and testing costs will drive a price increase of its products by up to 15% in June-July to preserve gross margins.

President José Antonio Kast participated in a bilateral meeting this Thursday with the future president of Costa Rica, Laura Fernández, ahead of the transition of power that will take place this Friday in the Central American country. The President arrived at the Costa Rican Museum of Art accompanied by Foreign Minister Francisco Pérez. After the meeting, Kast highlighted the historical relationship between the two countries and was asked by local media about whether Chile would support Rebeca Grynspan as a candidate for the position of Secretary-General of the United Nations, considering the withdrawal of government support for the potential candidacy of former President Michelle Bachelet. In that context, the President stated that the executive branch had made a commitment not to support any new candidacies. "If we, as a government, have made a decision in our country to withdraw our support for Michelle Bachelet for that candidacy, for various reasons that we have discussed in Chile, we have also made a commitment not to support other candidacies," he said. Along those lines, Kast stated that this decision is intended to allow the former president to "develop all her ideas for a change in governance at the United Nations." In response to questions about whether Chile's position might change in the future, the head of state reiterated that the commitment remains in place. "We told her (Bachelet) that we would not support another candidacy, so that she can develop her ideas with the support of two..."

The Comptroller General of the Republic issued a ruling this Thursday regarding the use of the Palacio de La Moneda during the administration of President José Antonio Kast, dismissing any irregularities in the holding of religious services or in the use of the building as a presidential residence. The ruling stemmed from a complaint filed by David Silva Bernales, Miguel Yáñez Lagos, Cleiton Dejair Córdova Martins, and other individuals who requested to remain anonymous, who questioned the use of the presidential palace. In the document, the agency headed by Comptroller Dorothy Pérez stated that, since it has served as the seat of government, La Moneda has included various courtyards, halls, offices, and rooms that have historically served not only as spaces for institutional work and the carrying out of official and ceremonial activities, but also as a permanent residence for the President and their family. Furthermore, the Comptroller addressed the holding of religious services and masses within the building, noting that this type of activity has historically taken place there. "Although, according to the law, the State of Chile is secular, this does not prevent the existence, since ancient times and until today, of three chapels within the building that share the same temple," the ruling states. In that regard, it added that these chapels have officially authorized operations...

The economic results we have seen this week leave no doubt about the state of our economy. A negative Imacec (a Chilean economic indicator) and an unemployment rate hovering around nine percent are very telling. If we want to escape the "middle-income trap" we find ourselves in, we must make some fundamental structural changes. "More of the same" will not work. Around the year 2010, Chile implicitly adopted the economic model that is still in place, following a period of 20 years of high economic growth, known as the "Chilean economic miracle." The current model – which is a variant of a free market system – is characterized by its redistributive objectives and the intention to state-control certain productive sectors. To achieve these objectives, corporate taxation, especially that of the large mining industry, was significantly increased, and labor costs were raised, disproportionately affecting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The worst part is that these measures ultimately created a great deal of uncertainty regarding the limits of this process of state control over the economy, and this has translated into a decline in investment and growth, which we are currently experiencing. To reactivate economic activity, the government has proposed the National Reconstruction Plan to the country. This plan essentially consists of a package of more than 40 measures that, as a whole, are designed to…

A Venezuelan national was placed under preventive detention after being formally charged on Thursday with his alleged involvement in a violent robbery, specifically a "smash-and-grab" incident, that targeted an antique shop in Providencia on the night of May 4th. The suspect, identified as the person who allegedly fired a Uzi submachine gun at the victim, had an active deportation order in place since March 2025. "He entered the country illegally, and based on the information we obtained from his phone, it is clear that he was solely involved in criminal activities," stated prosecutor Jorge Reyes. The Criminal Investigation Agency (PDI) is investigating potential links to international criminal organizations. A coordinated effort and diligent work by the East Flagrancia Prosecutor's Office, in collaboration with the PDI, led to the identification, arrest, and formal charging of the alleged attacker. A 90-day investigation period has been set. The robbery occurred around 10:00 PM on Monday, May 4th, on Eduardo Munita Quiroga Street in Providencia, near number 3700. A group of robbers traveling in a small car intercepted the antique dealer and, threatening him with firearms, forced him to get out of his car. When the victim, Francisco Pizarro, 43, resisted the robbery, he was shot in the chest, just below his right armpit, leaving him in critical condition. The following night, three individuals were arrested in the stolen vehicle. They included two minors, one Chilean and one foreigner, and…

The Salvadoran Football Federation (Fesfut) announced this Thursday the return of beer sales during matches, starting with the next tournament. However, the president of the federation, Yamil Bukele, warned that this measure will be accompanied by regulations. "Beer sales will be allowed in the stadiums. This will begin with the next tournament. We will establish regulations, and it is likely that sales will be suspended at the start of the second half of the matches," Yamil stated in a press conference. He also emphasized that they are working on a protocol with a private company to ensure that the regulations are followed. When was the sale of alcohol suspended in the stadiums of El Salvador? This decision marks a change from the previous policy of prohibiting the sale of alcohol at Salvadoran football matches. The ban was implemented in July 2023, when the competition rules for the Apertura tournament included a provision that explicitly prohibited: "the sale and consumption of any intoxicating beverage, such as beer, liquor, and similar products, in the stadiums or fields where First Division football is played." This regulation was a direct response to the stampede that occurred on May 20, 2023, at the Cuscatlán Stadium in San Salvador, where 12 people died and more than 100 were injured during the quarter-final match between Alianza FC and Club Deportivo FAS. Initial investigations…

The electricity company Enel has announced a series of planned power outages for specific areas within the Metropolitan Region. According to information provided by the company on its website, the power interruptions are necessary for a few hours to carry out maintenance work in the affected areas. Municipalities with planned power outages: These are the municipalities that will experience planned power outages on Friday, May 8th: Huechuraba: from 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM Independencia: from 9:30 AM to 1:00 PM Cerrillos: from 10:30 AM to 4:30 PM Estación Central: from 10:30 AM to 2:30 PM San Miguel: from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM Pedro Aguirre Cerda: from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM La Cisterna: from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM La Florida: from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM The complete map of scheduled work is available at this link. Current outages are shown in green, while planned future interruptions are marked in blue. Enel has announced that it is reinforcing its technical resources and customer service channels to address any potential issues, in anticipation of the upcoming weather events forecast for the Metropolitan Region. The company provides the following contact channels: Via the official WhatsApp number +56994447606, where you can report emergencies and request information. Through the Enel Clientes Chile application, which is available for download…

The president of the Salvadoran Football Federation (FESFUT), Yamil Bukele, announced today a series of reforms that will redefine the structure of professional football in El Salvador. Among the key changes are the restructuring of the First Division, new rules for the sale of clubs, and the creation of the Second Division (Liga de Ascenso), all as part of an effort to improve competitiveness and transparency in national football. During a press conference, Bukele confirmed the elimination of the Second and Third Divisions, and the creation of the Second Division (Liga de Ascenso), which will consist of teams from both former categories and will be managed entirely by the Federation. The Second Division will have its promotion to the top division frozen for two seasons, corresponding to the periods 2026-2027 and 2027-2028. Furthermore, the First Division will reduce the number of teams: in the 2027-2028 season, one team will be relegated, leaving the league with 11 clubs, and the following year, another team will be relegated, ultimately establishing a league of 10 teams for the 2028-2029 season. "As the Executive Committee, we have come to the conclusion that some changes are necessary to promote football and make it more modern, so that it can aspire to professionalization," Bukele stated. He explained that the Federation aims to make football "more profitable, but at the same time, to increase competition in each match." He also addressed the issue of…

At 7:50 AM this Thursday, President José Antonio Kast boarded Latam flight LA0650 to Lima. From there, he would continue his journey to San José, Costa Rica, on aircraft LA2408, to attend the presidential inauguration ceremony in that country. Despite having access to aircraft from the Chilean Air Force (FACH), the President once again chose a commercial flight to carry out an official tour – meaning that the accredited press from the Presidential Palace is not traveling with him – a practice that has begun to repeat itself during his first months in office. This decision had already been tested at the end of March, when Kast traveled to the Araucanía region and the Los Lagos region using commercial flights. Sources within the presidential administration indicate that this decision is a deliberate political move: to prevent the head of state from being "isolated" in the presidency and to maintain contact with citizens in everyday settings. The image that the government seeks to project is that of a President who does not operate solely within the traditional institutional framework and who can interact with passengers, airport workers, or people he encounters in terminals and on airplanes. Some collaborators, speaking privately, describe this as consistent with the style that Kast sought to establish during his campaign and as president-elect, during which he made trips to Argentina, Central America, Europe, and the United States. However, the scheme...

The employment tax credit included in the massive reform proposed by the government of José Antonio Kast has been one of the most criticized aspects among economists and parliamentarians. The main concern is its high fiscal cost of US$1.4 billion per year and its limited impact on new hires. Despite this, the Minister of Finance, Jorge Quiroz, defended the proposal this morning at a seminar organized by Clapes UC. While acknowledging that he is "in the minority" compared to the views of economists, he explained that the goal is to contain the labor costs that have been generated by certain policies, such as the 40-hour workweek and the increase in contributions for the pension reform. "Labor costs will increase by approximately 15%, which is the 15% that this tax credit provides," he explained. He also stated that "it is said that it will not create jobs... No, we are defending what already exists. Look at how many people Walmart laid off in the last 24 months. This is a measure to protect existing jobs and promote formal employment," he justified. The proposal allows companies that employ workers earning between 7.8 UTM (a Chilean unit of measurement) and 12 UTM to obtain a tax credit, which can be deducted through the "Participations and Profits" tax or Value Added Tax (VAT). In practice, this would allow them to reduce their first-category tax rate by approximately three percentage points. In other words, once the law is approved, companies that access this benefit will see their first-category tax rate decrease from the current 27% to an effective rate of...

The war in the Middle East is the dominant theme in the latest edition of the Central Bank of Chile's Business Perceptions Report (BPR), which is set against the backdrop of a sharp rise in oil prices and the historically high levels reached by gasoline. The institution collected the data about a month after the start of the conflict, and the findings are widespread: Chilean companies anticipate more inflation, are compressing their profit margins, and are slowing down hiring. Prices: The increase is coming, but slowly. The energy shock has already altered the cost equation for a significant portion of the economy. The rise in fuel prices has increased the cost of transportation, fertilizers, plastic resins, and agricultural chemicals, which is squeezing already tight profit margins. "The cost of fuel, transportation, all imported agricultural chemicals – these are all going to become much more expensive, with very limited profit margins," warns a manager in the wine industry, quoted in the report. For now, most companies have contained the price increases. The central bank describes the adjustment as "partial, gradual, and/or delayed," citing four main reasons: demand does not allow for price increases, existing contracts prevent it, cheaper inventory purchased beforehand cushioned the impact, and many companies believe the conflict will be short-lived. However, this containment has its limits. "My suppliers have already notified me of the price increase, but I haven't yet passed it on to customers; I have to..."

It was likely his last appearance before the Mining Committee of the Chamber of Deputies, and this virtual farewell was so tense that even the president of Codelco, Máximo Pacheco, was unable to deliver the speech with which he intended to conclude his four years leading the state-owned corporation. By a vote of six to five, the deputies who were members of the committee and present at the meeting voted in favor of preventing Pacheco from delivering his speech, opting instead to go directly to questions. These questions generally revisited topics discussed in previous presentations, such as the explanation for project delays, the comparison of productivity with private mining operations, and workplace safety following the fatal accident on July 31st. Regarding the labor issue, on which he was questioned by the committee's president, Carlos Tapia, Pacheco acknowledged the genuine interest of the parliamentarians, but warned that the intervention of deputies in labor negotiations or conflicts was "constitutionally prohibited and even constitutes grounds for dismissal." The speech that Pacheco was unable to deliver, in any case, anticipated the parliamentary inquiries, as it generally addressed those doubts. However, there was one new development. In the most extensive part of his speech, Máximo Pacheco addressed the criticisms regarding the prolonged process of renovating the corporate building. He announced that, starting last week, the company had...

The company Aguas Andinas has announced details of a series of planned water supply interruptions in specific areas of the Metropolitan Region. According to the company, the interruptions are necessary for a few hours to carry out maintenance work. Municipalities with water supply interruptions: These are the municipalities that will experience water supply interruptions this Thursday, May 7th. Recoleta: Water supply interruption due to valve replacement, starting at 3:00 PM, with an estimated restoration time of 1:00 AM on Friday, May 8th. Santiago: Water supply interruption due to network renewal, starting at 3:00 PM, with an estimated restoration time of 6:00 AM on Friday, May 8th. Ñuñoa: Water supply interruption due to network connection, starting at 3:00 PM, with an estimated restoration time of 6:00 AM on Friday, May 8th. Peñalolén: Water supply interruption due to network connection, starting at 3:00 PM, with an estimated restoration time of 11:00 PM. Padre Hurtado: Water supply interruption due to valve replacement, starting at 3:00 PM, with an estimated restoration time of 2:00 AM on Friday, May 8th. To check for potential water supply interruptions in the Metropolitan Region, Aguas Andinas provides the website "Work in the City," which displays a map showing the reported disruptions. The points on the map indicate both planned interruptions and emergencies, with details of the affected area and an estimated restoration time.

At 10:45 AM, Franco Parisi, the founder of the People's Party (Partido de la Gente), is scheduled to arrive at Teatinos 120 for a meeting with the Minister of Finance, Jorge Quiroz. The meeting between the former presidential candidate and the head of the government's budget is taking place against the backdrop of a rift between the People's Party and the Executive branch regarding a project called the "National Reconstruction" plan. The meeting, which was arranged by Deputy Zandra Parisi, had been planned for two weeks, when an agreement between the two parties was still in place. This Wednesday, the party announced its rejection of the legislative proposal and strongly criticized the government. In fact, the internal struggles within the party had been ongoing since the day after they had agreed to support the President José Antonio Kast's major reform. Deputy and Vice President of the party, Fabián Ossandón, accused the government of "not keeping its word." The representative from Antofagasta added that they were presented with "a bill that does not consider the needs of the middle class at all. We were very clear and emphatic in requesting a refund of VAT on medications and diapers." Parisi, ahead of the meeting with Quiroz, told Tele13 Radio this morning that "the government did not deliver. We were calm, our deputies were already preparing to travel to their regions, and then we received a document around 2:30 PM - 3:00 PM, so everyone had to read it, analyze it, and have very quick meetings, and..."

The president of the Broad Front coalition, Constanza Martínez, defended the opposition's position of rejecting the government's proposed "National Reconstruction" bill. In an interview with radio station 13C, the leader of the Broad Front dismissed the idea that the opposition's stance was intended to obstruct President José Antonio Kast's key reform, and emphasized that it was about being responsible towards citizens, particularly due to the tax adjustments it contains. "It's not about being obstructionist, but about being responsible with a reform that is extremely ideological. There are three things proposed in the first point: the possibility of lowering corporate taxes, tax integration, and the lack of flexibility. These are three elements that close the door to democratic discussion in any context," she said. The Broad Front leader stated that the opposition's concerns about the bill were not just about the specific proposals, but that – according to her – the initiative lacked "a little more social legitimacy and a little more consensus within the academic community." "It also seems strange to me that we are constantly being told what we would be willing to accept, while the question is: what is the government willing to do? They haven't even been willing to change or separate the projects, and they insist on telling people that we are discussing a tax reform when, in fact, it's the reconstruction bill. I find that..."

The new Chevrolet Sonic is poised to enter the compact SUV segment with a proposition that goes beyond design, aiming to make personalization one of its fundamental pillars. With over 70 available options, nearly double the average of its competitors, the Sonic allows for customization of both the exterior and interior without voiding the warranty. Notable features include the illuminated brand emblem (the first to feature this), trim accents on the bumpers and wheels, specific decals, and dual exhaust outlets that accentuate its sporty character. The latest details revealed before its scheduled arrival at dealerships on May 7th in Brazil, focus on the interior, where the design continues with solutions aimed at comfort and technology. The model incorporates ambient LED lighting, a welcome projection displaying the Sonic name, and a high-quality sound system. In addition, the Chevy Link module provides access to streaming platforms and applications directly from the vehicle's screen. The interior stands out for its spaciousness and technological focus. Its horizontal architecture amplifies the sense of space, while the Virtual Cockpit integrates an 8-inch digital panel with an 11-inch multimedia screen. This combination offers advanced connectivity, native Wi-Fi, OnStar services, and remote updates, ensuring a…

Audax Italiano faces difficulties in the Copa Sudamericana. This Wednesday, in the fourth round of the group stage of the tournament, they lost 1-2 to Vasco da Gama at the Bicentenario La Florida stadium, a result that places the Brazilian team at the top of Group G with seven points. Consequently, the media in that country praised the performance of the team from Colina, which initially fell behind with an own goal by Alan Saldivia, but then managed to turn the game around against an Italian team that had won the first match between the two, played in São Januário. O Globo wrote: "Vasco returned the favor after suffering a home defeat, defeating Audax Italiano 2-1 at the Bicentenario de La Florida stadium in the Copa Sudamericana on Wednesday. Saldivia scored an own goal to open the scoring, but Spinelli and Matheus França embodied the 'team of comebacks' and definitively put Vasco in the lead." Meanwhile, Lance, one of the largest media outlets in Rio de Janeiro, highlighted the sending-off of Marcelo Ortiz in the 62nd minute, which led to a penalty that began to change the course of the game for the visiting team: "The numerical disadvantage of the Chilean team, combined with the equalizing goal, completely transformed the match." Renato Gaúcho, from his home The coach of Vasco, Renato Gaúcho, watched the match from the comfort of his home. The strategist was unable to travel to Chile due to a suspension imposed by CONMEBOL. However, this was not the end...

DEAR EDITOR: This week, the debate begins on the bill that seeks to prohibit surrogacy in Chile, following its general approval in January by a vote of 9 in favor and none against. The debate is timely, as recent media coverage has once again presented this procedure as a way to form a family, using language that often obscures its legal and ethical implications. Surrogacy involves a woman carrying a child with the prior agreement to hand the child over to third parties. However, neither motherhood nor parentage are transferable through a voluntary act, consent, or contract. One cannot contractually dispose of that which forms a person's identity and their fundamental family ties. This does not imply discrimination against those who cannot have children. It is not about ignoring the pain of infertility or denying the legitimate desire to form a family, but rather about affirming that this suffering cannot be resolved by turning gestation into a commissioned task or treating a child as an object of an agreement between adults. The bill is correct in reaffirming that maternity is determined by childbirth and that surrogacy agreements have no legal effect. Chile has the opportunity here to simultaneously protect the dignity of women, the rights of children, and the inviolability of basic family bonds. Javiera Bellolio Universidad de los Andes

The voting period for the bill remains unchanged. This has been the firm stance maintained by the president of the Finance Committee of the Chamber of Deputies, Agustín Romero (Republican). Despite the numerous requests from opposition deputies to extend the analysis and discussion period, given the doubts the initiative raises, especially after the presentation of the Autonomous Fiscal Council (CFA), the deadline remains. For this reason, and to meet the established deadlines, the committee will hold sessions until midnight this Wednesday to hear presentations, with the aim of being able to vote on the bill in general at the end of the session. Subsequently, a period will be opened for submitting amendments until Tuesday, October 12th, and voting on individual articles will begin from that day. In this context, during Wednesday's session, presentations were given by the former Minister of Finance, Mario Marcel, the director of the School of Government at the Catholic University, Andrea Repetto, the former Director of Budgeting in the second Piñera government, Matías Acevedo, and the academic from the Universidad del Desarrollo, Klaus Schmidt-Hebbel. While each presenter offered their perspective, and there were disagreements, there was a certain consensus on the elimination or reformulation of the tax credit for hiring, due to its high fiscal cost and limited impact on creating new jobs. According to Andrea Repetto, this measure represents a significant portion of the fiscal…

While the National Reconstruction Plan is being debated in general terms in the Chamber of Deputies' Finance Committee, the government's flagship initiative has faced a number of challenges. The latest development is the warning issued by the Autonomous Fiscal Council regarding the fiscal sustainability of the plan. Politically, La Moneda (the presidential palace) has seen its support base waver regarding the approval of the proposal to legislate the project. Specifically, the Partido de la Gente (People's Party) has shown internal divisions, having initially reached an agreement with the government regarding the inclusion of projects for the refund of taxes on medicines and diapers. However, this Wednesday, the party announced its rejection of the proposal and strongly criticized the government. Deputy and vice-president of the party, Fabián Ossandón, accused the government of "not keeping its word." "Today, they presented us with a bill that does not consider the middle class at all. We were very clear and emphatic in requesting a refund of VAT on medicines and diapers," the representative from Antofagasta continued. He added: "The People's Party is respected, and we are not lied to." With this situation, the party leader, Juan Marcelo Valenzuela, stated that "regarding tomorrow's vote, I believe that the conditions are not right to move forward." In addition, Valenzuela...

On a rainy day, Audax Italiano suffered a setback. On the synthetic turf of the Bicentenario stadium in La Florida, the team from the colony lost to Vasco da Gama (1-2), further complicating their chances in Group G of the Copa Sudamericana. They once again lost at home. This was a direct clash with implications for qualification, as both teams arrived with four points. After the defeat in Rio de Janeiro, Gustavo Lema's team had the mission of securing a win at home, despite having seven players unavailable for the match (mostly due to injuries). The start couldn't have been better for Audax, as they opened the scoring in the 5th minute thanks to a mistake by the visitors. Alan Saldivia, a former Colo Colo defender and captain of Vasco on Wednesday, scored an unfortunate own goal that gave the home team the lead. The Uruguayan passed the ball back to his goalkeeper, Fuzato, who had a poor reaction. The fast-paced pitch, due to the rain, contributed to the goalkeeper's lack of control. The pressure from Michael Vadulli also forced Saldivia to pass the ball back. Despite the 1-0 goal being the result of a fortuitous action by the Brazilians, Audax deserved the lead because they were the better team in the first 45 minutes. They better understood the conditions in which the match was being played. Their style of play troubled a Vasco da Gama that was without its coach, Renato Gaúcho, due to suspension. In the 15th minute, Vadulli missed a chance to extend the lead. He had a shot that was saved by Fuzato. The former Iquique striker was…

Arauco, the forestry subsidiary of Empresas Copec, part of the Angelini group, experienced a poor first quarter. Between January and March, its losses deepened by 87%, increasing from US$27 million in 2025 to US$50 million in 2026. Arauco's EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, adjustments, and exchange rate fluctuations, depreciation, and amortization) fell by almost 9%, from US$220 million to US$201 million. The company's revenue decreased by 3%. While it recorded sales of US$1.532 billion in the first quarter of last year, this figure fell to US$1.483 billion during the same period this year. This was primarily due to lower average prices for pulp. Pulp sales account for more than half of Arauco's total sales. These sales decreased by 3.4%, from US$801 million to US$774 million. "In China, the pulp market was complex during the first quarter of 2026. The printing and writing paper industry showed a decline in demand, coupled with pressures on production costs. The tissue industry faced a challenging environment, characterized by oversupply and lower demand. Regarding prices, long-fiber pulp decreased in the middle of the quarter, explained by increased supply from Europe and higher local production of long-fiber pulp. On the other hand, short-fiber pulp prices increased throughout the quarter," the company explained in its analysis of the results.

Leaders of political parties and heads of opposition blocs met at the National Congress, after which they announced that they would continue to vote against the government's proposal, known as the National Reconstruction Plan. During the meeting, which included representatives from the Christian Democratic Party to the Communist Party, Constanza Martínez, president of the Broad Front coalition, described the administration of José Antonio Kast as "reckless" and "irresponsible" for insisting on the massive reform despite the opinions of economists and institutions such as the Autonomous Fiscal Council (CFA), which identified nine risks to the public treasury. "It proposes measures that are expensive, poorly conceived, and lack any basis. Neither our Autonomous Fiscal Council nor even the IMF agrees with this bill. That is why we are urgently calling for the government to understand that it needs to ease up and engage in a discussion with society about a project that will have extremely serious consequences for our country," said the leader of the Broad Front. "We urge the government to understand that this is not simply a matter between technical experts, but that it is having a direct impact on families. We must thoroughly discuss the project, and that is why, as the opposition, we are convinced that the most responsible course of action for Chilean families is to reject this bill," she added. Meanwhile, the president of the Party S...

Around 10:00 PM on Monday, May 4th, on Eduardo Munita Quiroga Street in Providencia, near number 3700, an antique dealer's station wagon was stolen by armed individuals. The victim, Francisco Pizarro, 43 years old, resisted, and as a result, he sustained a gunshot wound to the chest, just below his right armpit. The weapon used was a Uzi submachine gun. Inspector Iván Saravia, from the Biro Incri division of the PDI (Criminal Investigation Agency), explained that "the victim, while attempting to prevent the crime, struggled with these individuals, which caused one of them to shoot him in the chest, leaving him lying on the street. Subsequently, the individuals committed the crime and fled." Jorge Reyes, head of the Flagrancia department of the Metropolitan East Prosecutor's Office, reported that three individuals linked to the incident were arrested during the night of Tuesday. Reyes stated that this was a "particularly violent crime, involving the use of military-grade weapons, and the victim was seriously injured." "These three individuals were arrested in the victim's vehicle," the prosecutor detailed, specifying that two of them are Venezuelan citizens. The other person arrested is a Chilean citizen. The prosecutor also reported that, following this arrest, in coordination with the Police Investigations, "a fourth individual, also a foreigner, was identified and is linked to the…".

The National Automotive Association of Chile (ANAC) reported that vehicle sales in Chile increased by 5.5% in April compared to the same period in 2026. During the past month, 27,572 units of light and medium vehicles were sold. Thus, the industry has recorded a total of 102,549 registrations in the first four months, an increase of 5.7% compared to the same period last year. SUVs continue to lead by segment, with 55,169 units (+16.6%), followed by pickup trucks (20,968 +5.0%), passenger vehicles (16,865 and -7.1%), and commercial vehicles (9,547 and -17.5%). In terms of brands, Toyota maintained its leading position with 8,270 units, followed by Suzuki (7,813) and Hyundai (6,763). Regarding the best-selling models, the GWM Poer pickup truck, with 2,864 units sold through April, remains at the top, followed by the Mitsubishi L200 (2,762) and the Toyota Hilux (2,684). Among SUVs, the Suzuki Fronx moved to the top with 2,185 units, surpassing the MG ZX (2,063) and the Chery Tiggo 2 (1,823). In the passenger vehicle segment, the Suzuki Swift (1,804) outperformed the Kia Soluto (1,716) and the Chevrolet Sail (1,381). Finally, in the commercial vehicle segment, the Peugeot Partner continued its dominance with 2,073 units. Top 10 Overall GWM Poer: 2,864 Mitsubishi L200: 2,762 Toyota Hilux: 2,684 Suzuki Fronx: 2,185 Peugeot Partner: 2,073 MG ZX: 2,063 Ford New Ranger: 2,030 Chery Tiggo 2: 1,823 Suzuki Swift: 1,804 Kia Soluto: 1,716 Top 5 Pickup Trucks GWM P…

On Wednesday, a fifth suspect was placed under pre-trial detention for his alleged involvement in a kidnapping and extortion case that occurred on April 21st in San Miguel. The victim was Jorge Vera, a 84-year-old businessman involved in the hardware industry and owner of racehorses. He was held for eight days before being released in Colina following a joint operation by the Public Prosecutor's Office and the Anti-Kidnapping Brigade of the PDI (Investigative Police). Claudio Orellana, Deputy Prosecutor of the Metropolitan South Regional Prosecutor's Office, explained that the fifth suspect was formally charged with kidnapping and extortion. "The evidence was presented to the court, and the court decided to grant the pre-trial detention measure requested by the Public Prosecutor's Office. Regarding the investigation period, it remains in effect for 120 days, starting from April 30th, when the initial charges were filed against a first group of four suspects for the same crime," the prosecutor explained. Orellana detailed that the suspect was involved in logistical activities related to the crime and in the execution of the crime itself. The case remains confidential. The kidnapping is believed to have been ordered from Colombia and involved Venezuelan citizens allegedly linked to the Tren de Aragua criminal organization.

Ben Brereton has concluded his time at Derby County. The Chilean forward bid farewell to the club with a message on social media. He is unsure of his next move, and his post raises more questions than answers about his future destination. "I loved my time here, what a great club. The group of players and the staff were incredible. I appreciate all the support and the song of 'Díaz'," wrote the national team player, in a post that quickly generated reactions among the fans of the English team. [Instagram post image] Brereton arrived at Derby on loan, becoming an important player within the squad during the season. However, the club failed to reach the playoffs for promotion, which ultimately marked the end of his association with the Rams. Throughout the season, the Chilean played 41 matches, scoring eight goals and providing three assists. Now, the future of the forward is in the hands of Southampton, the club that owns his contract, which is valid until mid-2027. The situation is significant, considering that Southampton is currently competing in the Championship playoffs, vying for a place in the Premier League. Depending on the outcome of those playoffs, the scenario for the Chilean could change dramatically. A potential promotion would open the door for his return to the top tier of English football, while remaining in the second division could revive options for…

"During the campaign and before the citizens, we pledged a substantial modification to the School Admission System, one that recognizes merit and also allows schools to participate in the selection process based on their educational project," said the Deputy Minister of Education, Daniel Rodríguez, on Wednesday. He then explained that this measure is a top priority and is of great importance to the government. "The President (Kast) has asked us to resolve this through legislation within the first 90 days, so we are working tirelessly to achieve that," he added. Rodríguez addressed the main challenges facing the education system during a discussion forum titled "Chile in Progress: Debates for the Future," organized by the Faculty of Economics and Business at the Universidad de los Andes. He referred to the four strategic pillars of the Ministry of Education: • Educational coverage, attendance, and continuity. • Learning and educational quality. • Coexistence, well-being, and school safety. • Ongoing reforms and opportunities. In that context, he also reaffirmed that the government is moving forward with measures to correct the structure of the free education system, warning of the existence of "social fraud" and the need to "restore the rule of law." "Our focus is on spending the resources being invested wisely. We know that there is a need, and that what is currently being provided is not enough, especially because..."

Over the past two weeks, Hassel Barrientos, the head of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit (Bipe Antisecuestros) of the Criminal Investigation Police (PDI), has been closely monitoring the institution's efforts to dismantle and investigate the kidnapping of businessman Jorge Vera, who was released last Wednesday, April 29th, after 180 hours in captivity. It has been an intense period of work, but as the professional points out, they have achieved successful results in a short amount of time. The 84-year-old man not only escaped unharmed from the kidnapping, but five individuals involved have been arrested, and a further group of suspects has been identified. However, this is not a new type of crime for Barrientos. The detective has been investigating these cases for years, particularly since the second half of 2021, when the number of cases surged. According to PDI figures, the number of cases in the Metropolitan Region increased from 70 in that year to 188 in 2024 and 164 in 2025. What is striking now, as Barrientos points out, is that the dynamics have changed. He says that there is now more involvement of Chilean nationals in these crimes, and operations have been detected that are clearly being directed from abroad. How does he define the new cycle of kidnappings that have been occurring in the country? "We refer to this phenomenon of kidnappings within the context of transnational organized crime as an oscillating phenomenon. There was a turning point between the second half of 2021 and the first half of 2022, where..."

Fueled in part by the fear that the icy landscapes of Antarctica may be irreversibly melting due to climate change, tourism to the "end of the world" is booming. Experts warn that with more visitors, the risk of pollution, disease, and other damage to the continent increases. Although the number of visitors remains relatively small – partly due to the high costs and the time involved – it is growing so rapidly that scientists and environmentalists are raising the alarm. A deadly outbreak of an unusual hantavirus aboard a Dutch ship on a multi-week polar cruise has brought attention to this growing trend in tourism. Most expeditions are headed to the Antarctic Peninsula, one of the fastest-warming regions in the world. According to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, approximately 149 billion tons of Antarctic ice melted each year from 2002 to 2020. A common route involves traveling south from Argentina towards Antarctica, before heading north along the coast of Africa, the same route taken by the cruise ship MV Hondius. "The sites you will see in Antarctica are extremely unique and cannot be replicated anywhere else on the planet – the whales, the seals, the penguins, the icebergs – it is all truly breathtaking and leaves a huge impression on people," said Claire Christian, di…

Following the disappearance of a hotelier in South Africa, and with suspicions that his body had been devoured by an animal, local authorities captured and killed a massive crocodile in the Komati River, in the northeastern part of the country. The crocodile was then transported by helicopter to a veterinary center, where an autopsy confirmed the presence of human remains inside. The case began when Gabriel Batista, 59, went missing. The entrepreneur, who owned a bar and the Border Country Inn near Kruger National Park, was swept away by a current while attempting to cross a bridge in his Ford Ranger truck during a flood. The crocodile found in South Africa. According to local media reports, the man ended up downstream, in an area where crocodiles are known to appear after floods. With no trace of the man, police drones that regularly monitor the area detected "unusual behavior" in a crocodile, which was almost twice the size of an adult human, approximately 4.5 meters long. Given this situation, the officers decided to euthanize the animal and extract it using an aerial operation, as shown in the images captured at the time. Once on the ground, the crocodile was opened, and specialists found remains of the missing businessman inside. In addition, they found six pairs of shoes, which may have belonged to…

Before the third day of formal proceedings against him, former congressman Joaquín Lavín León spoke to the press upon arriving at the Justice Center in Santiago this Wednesday, addressing the possibility that his case could affect his father, former mayor, former minister, and former presidential candidate Joaquín Lavín Infante. This is due to irregular payments that the Eastern Prosecutor's Office detected regarding advisors to the former parliamentarian who performed duties at the campaign headquarters of Lavín Infante during the 2021 presidential primary. "The Prosecutor's Office, unfortunately, has the authority to do whatever it wants," he stated in a brief conversation with the press. Following this, the former congressman reflected on the impact of the case on his surroundings. "Obviously, from a family perspective, this is extremely difficult. These are lengthy processes, very tough processes, and obviously, it is a difficult process for the family," he said. The former congressman is under investigation for an alleged fraud involving parliamentary allocations of over 100 million pesos, which reportedly involved the falsification of invoices to simulate operational expenses and submit the funds to Congress. The former legislator said he is confident that he will be able to prove his innocence. "We have all the records and all the evidence," he said. The Eastern Prosecutor's Office has requested his pre-trial detention.

Red Bull Advanced Technologies has begun the final assembly of the RB17, a track-focused hypercar that pushes the boundaries of engineering derived from motorsport. Designed as a purely track-oriented machine, this limited-production model, with only 50 units planned, doesn't aim to replicate a conventional supercar; rather, it seeks to offer an experience close to that of a racing prototype. At the heart of the RB17, a machine designed by the legendary engineer Adrian Newey (now team manager at Aston Martin), is a high-performance hybrid system. It combines a naturally aspirated V10 engine developed by Cosworth, producing 1,000 horsepower, with an electric motor integrated into the Xtrac transmission, adding another 200 horsepower. The result is a total power output of 1,200 horsepower and a top speed of 354 km/h, figures that place it firmly in the absolute elite of high-performance vehicles. Adding to this is a weight of just 900 kg, thanks to its all-carbon fiber construction, which gives it an extraordinary power-to-weight ratio. According to internal simulations, the RB17 is capable of achieving lap times that are even faster than those of a Formula One single-seater on certain circuits, such as Spa-Francorchamps, where it is estimated to achieve a time of around 1'38''. Aerodynamics are another key element. The model incorporates active elements capable of generating up to 1,700 kg of aerodynamic downforce, managed to optimize the balance between grip and…

On Tuesday night, a new homicide involving a firearm occurred, claiming the life of a foreign man who was driving a vehicle in the municipality of Estación Central, in the Metropolitan Region. According to information gathered by this news outlet, the incident took place on Gaspar de Orense Street, where the driver of the vehicle, a Venezuelan national, was intercepted by unknown individuals riding a motorcycle, who opened fire on him. Several shots hit the victim, but one proved to be fatal, striking him in the neck, according to La Tercera. According to preliminary information from the Organized Crime and Homicide Unit (ECOH) of the Public Prosecutor's Office, the victim was with his partner at the time of the shooting. The man, who reportedly purchased the vehicle today, worked as a ride-sharing driver, although he was not providing services at the time of the attack. It was also learned that the man and his partner had been at a birthday party in the municipality of San Miguel and had come to this area to do some shopping. The victim had no prior criminal record. His partner, however, was unharmed by the attack and fled the scene in a state of shock. She does have a prior record for receiving stolen goods. The investigation has been assigned to the OS-9 unit of the Carabineros (Chilean police).

Nearly a week after officers from the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the Criminal Investigation Police (PDI) successfully secured the release of businessman Jorge Vera, who had been held captive for 180 hours, new information continues to emerge regarding those responsible for the crime. The detectives not only effectively negotiated with the kidnappers to ensure the 84-year-old hardware businessman was released alive, but also made progress in the arrest of a fifth suspect and in investigative leads to identify all those involved. According to information gathered by La Tercera, the PDI and the Metropolitan South Prosecutor's Office, headed by regional prosecutor Héctor Barros, are currently investigating the involvement of individuals who are believed to be in Colombia. Sources close to the case, consulted by this media outlet, indicate that the most likely scenario is that the order to kidnap Vera came from leaders of a faction of the Tren de Aragua, who are located in that country. The individuals who have been arrested so far, two Chileans and three Venezuelans, are believed to be lower down in the organizational hierarchy. They were all part of the operational arm of the group, meaning they were the ones who intercepted the victim, used violence against him, transported him, and held him captive. The arrest of the fifth suspect, as confirmed on Tuesday, took place on Saturday, May 2nd, in the Metropolitan Region, and did not…

Beyoncé's appearance at the Met Gala in New York on Monday was notable not only for her outfit, but also for the story of the artist behind her makeup. The mastermind behind this stunning look was Rokael Lizama, an artist of Mexican and Salvadoran descent, who has established himself in the international beauty industry, according to the specialized website Remezcla. Beyoncé's makeup at the gala, one of the most anticipated events of the year, featured a luminous finish with a distinct blending of dark eyeshadows, according to information from the aforementioned source. Lizama, who shared his excitement on social media, expressed: "I am grateful and blessed to have witnessed this. Countless hours of love and hard work were invested in this moment. You are my inspiration forever," he wrote on his Instagram account. At the gala, the artist was accompanied by her daughter, Blue Ivy, marking the young girl's first appearance at the event, with both women sporting coordinated styles. A Story of Resilience Rokael Lizama was born in Durango, Mexico, and of Salvadoran descent, he moved to Los Angeles at the age of four. His passion for beauty manifested itself from childhood, as he created looks alongside his sisters. Although his immigration status initially prevented him from obtaining a cosmetology license, he eventually gained residency and enrolled in beauty school, a...

In the Foreign Relations Committee of the Chamber of Deputies, the parliamentarians Raúl Soto (PPD), Nelson Venegas (PS), Ericka Ñanco (FA), and Lorena Pizarro (PC) left the meeting, accusing the committee's president, Stephan Schubert (REP.), of a lack of dialogue, and of showing "disrespect" towards former President Michelle Bachelet. This occurred in the context of the former president's candidacy for the position of Secretary-General of the United Nations (UN), and following the complaints made by Deputy Venegas, who submitted a formal request to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs after learning that three officials who signed a statement from the Instituto Libertad rejecting Bachelet's candidacy. "For the first time in the Foreign Relations Committee of the Chamber, which has historically been characterized by unanimity, cross-party agreements, and state policy, we, as the opposition, have decided to leave the committee, considering that the conditions are not in place for a democratic dialogue and for a state policy that is built by all sectors and by all political actors," explained Deputy Soto. This was because, during the meeting, opposition parliamentarians mentioned the situation. However, the committee's president, Deputy Schubert, closed the discussion, stating that they were not there to discuss it. In response, the parliamentarians from the PPD, PS, Frente Amplio, and PC stood up and left the session. Afterwards, Soto stated that "the only thing..."

A court in El Salvador has sentenced a member of the organized fan group "Barra Brava" of Alianza F.C. to two years in prison. The verdict was announced this Tuesday after he was found guilty of aggravated public disorder in the municipality of San Juan Opico, in the La Libertad Central department. This sentence adds to the one imposed last week on twelve other members of the same group. According to information from the "Centros Judiciales" account, the San Juan Opico Instruction Court issued the sentence against Jairo Emerson M. following an expedited procedure. The defendant admitted his involvement in the events that occurred on October 25, 2025, which helped expedite the resolution. Because the sentence did not exceed three years of imprisonment, the court authorized its substitution with community service, a mechanism provided for in Salvadoran criminal law for certain offenses and minor sentences. During the same hearing, a provisional dismissal was ordered for another implicated individual, who was also being prosecuted for the same crime. The decision was based on the insufficiency of evidence to prove his responsibility, although the case could be reopened if new evidence emerges. The judicial investigation determined that on the night of October 25th, a dispute occurred between supporters identified as fans of Alianza F.C. and FAS at the overpass on the San Juan Opico bypass. The altercation culminated in an attack on a bus carrying fans of the "tigri" team...

The trial hearing against Claudia González, former prosecutor for the International Commission Against Impunity in Guatemala (CICIG), has been suspended and postponed by more than a year due to the absence of the Public Ministry (MP) and the ongoing, unresolved appeal before the Second Criminal Appeals Chamber. The Guatemalan High-Risk Court has rescheduled the start of the oral proceedings for May 12, 2027, a decision that extends legal deadlines and confirms the trend of delays in high-profile cases related to the former CICIG, according to local media reports. The trial, originally scheduled for May 5, 2026, had been notified to all parties since October 2025. The High-Risk Court justified the suspension, citing "workload," although the schedule had been established well in advance. The absence of representatives from the Public Ministry lacked official justification and raised questions about the intentions behind the omission. The pending appeal has kept the process stalled since January 2026. Among the factors that complicate the case is the unresolved appeal regarding the request to include the deceased plaintiff's son as a party to the proceedings. Claudia González stated that the Second Criminal Appeals Chamber has had the case file since January 2026 and claimed: "This is not the first time this court has delayed the case. We deeply regret..."

Following a meeting with representatives from the National Agricultural Society (SNA), Agriculture Minister Jaime Campos criticized Iansa for its decision not to purchase sugar beets from the local market for the 2026-2027 season. The minister stated that the government was unaware of the company's decision and, while acknowledging that it was not his place to "evaluate the economic or commercial reasons behind Iansa's decision," he described it as "regrettable." The minister assured that they would seek to have a conversation with Iansa, but indicated that he believed the company owed the country an explanation. According to farmers and representatives from the SNA, the sugar producer's decision would affect more than 250 farmers and over 7,000 hectares of land. Furthermore, Minister Campos emphasized the history of Iansa in Chile, a company created by the state in 1953 and which, until now, has produced sugar using Chilean sugar beets. "This could mean the end of sugar production in Chile using locally sourced raw materials. It represents over 70 years of history that would be coming to an end. This is very, very unfortunate news," he declared.

The FI Renta Comercial fund managed by BTG Pactual has put one of the main logistics centers in Quilicura up for sale. This property, named Cargo Park, covers an area of 77,385 square meters and has direct access to Route 5 North. It includes warehouses, offices, and potentially, a commercial area. According to BTG Pactual's financial statements as of December 2025, the property is valued at approximately 1,600,000 UF, which is equivalent to roughly US$70 million. The decision to sell is part of a planned divestment process for the fund, and the process is being managed by the real estate advisory company CBRE. The center, located at Presidente Eduardo Frei Montalva 9950, has 77,300 square meters of warehouse space, of which approximately 50% is already leased to 26 companies, including Schneider, Repuestos Center, Loginsa, Itsanet, and Honda. Additionally, it has a restaurant area that could be used as a strip mall. The logistics park is located in the Buenaventura sector, one of the most consolidated industrial areas in the Metropolitan Region. Rental rates range from 0.16 to 0.22 UF per square meter, reflecting the high demand and limited availability in the area. "This transaction takes place in a context of growing interest in logistics assets in Chile, driven by the expansion of e-commerce and the need for efficient supply chains. The Buenaventura sector currently has 11 warehouse centers that..."

The Canadian company Capstone Copper is planning to invest US$29.5 million in its Mantoverde operation, located in the Atacama region. This is one of the two mines the company operates, along with Mantos Blancos in the Antofagasta region. Last year, Mantoverde produced 95,000 tons of refined copper, while Mantos Blancos produced 62,000 tons. Together, they achieved a total production of 157,000 tons, according to a report by Cochilco. Through a "pertinence request" submitted this Tuesday to the Environmental Impact Assessment System (Seia), the mining company expressed its interest in making modifications to Mantoverde through the project "New Optimization of the Mantoverde Tailings Dam Design." In the document, the company details the operational need to optimize the design of the mine's tailings dam, which is the area where solid waste from the leaching phase is deposited. Leaching is a mining process used to recover the desired mineral from rock using chemical solutions. Therefore, Capstone will redistribute the volumes of material stored internally, taking advantage of the available space and postponing the development of the southern part of the tailings dam until 2030. The project will transfer 45 million tons of material from the southern sector – 18% of the total capacity of the tailings dam – to the northern sector, which will require a reconfiguration of the height in the latter area. "According to the proponent, the design optimization..."

The government not only has a critical view of Codelco's management. The management of the National Mining Company (Enami) is also under scrutiny by the Kast administration, as evidenced by the Deputy Minister of Economy and Mining, Daniel Mas. "Enami was created to promote mining, but in recent years, it has lost its focus, and the promotion aspect has been lost," the Secretary of State said in a conversation with Radio Duna. Mas stated that "a few years ago," approximately 2,000 miners benefited from the management of this state-owned company, but that number is now less than 900. "We have accumulated enormous debts and liabilities, which are also difficult to pay. These are companies that need to be managed differently so that they can continue to contribute something as important as mining promotion," he commented. Mas said that "there has been a lot of mismanagement" at Enami, which explains its current situation, recalling that it has led to the accumulation of debts of US$600 million. "Today, the debt is a little more than US$250 million. We need to prioritize, we need to manage, and we need to modernize. It has been a long time since any money has been invested in the plants, and the plants need to be efficient in order to provide a good service to small miners. There is a lot to be done," the Deputy Minister added. It should be remembered that Mas, along with the Undersecretary of Mining, Álvaro González, joined the company's board of directors just two weeks after the inauguration of the José Antonio Kast government, and they removed the company's vice president.

A man lost his life late at night after being shot by unknown assailants in a public street in the municipality of Independencia. The incident occurred around 1:00 AM on Escanilla Street, where the victim was approached by unknown individuals who fired multiple shots at him. According to Commissioner Marcelo Navarro of the Central North Homicide Brigade of the Criminal Investigation Agency (PDI), "police officers are currently reviewing security camera footage to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident and to identify the perpetrators." "There is a significant amount of ballistic evidence at the scene, approximately 20 to 25 bullet casings," he stated, suggesting that more than one weapon may have been involved. Regarding the actions of the perpetrators, prosecutor Marcela Adasme explained that it is possible they were following the victim. "This is a possibility, considering that the ballistic evidence is scattered throughout the entire block. One hypothesis is that they were chasing the victim until they killed him here at the corner." In addition, two vehicles parked in the area were damaged as a result of the gunfire.

The funeral will be held at the Basilica of Santa Giustina in Padua. The coffin will be preceded by a handcycle bike from London and by Paralympic athletes from the 'Obiettivo3' organization.

The funeral will be held at the Basilica of Santa Giustina in Padua. The coffin will be preceded by a handcycle bike from London and by Paralympic athletes from the 'Obiettivo3' organization.

DEAR EDITOR: Every time a proposal is made to lower taxes on businesses, the same argument arises: "it's a gift to the rich." It's a catchy slogan, but it's wrong. Businesses are not vaults where the wealthy store their money. They are places where Chileans work. When a company grows, it hires more people. When a company shrinks – or never gets off the ground – those who lose out are not the owners, who always find somewhere to invest. Those who lose out are the workers who can't find jobs, the small and medium-sized enterprises that lack customers, and the families that struggle to make ends meet. Chile currently charges a 27% tax on investment. The average for OECD countries is 23%. The result is well-known: a decade of growth around 2%, and nearly 860,000 people searching for jobs without finding them. Lowering that tax to the level of developed countries is not rewarding anyone. It's about stopping the punishment of those who want to invest in Chile and create jobs. It's about recognizing that investment doesn't just appear out of thin air; we have to attract it by competing with reasonable rules. The real debate is not whether the rich deserve to pay less. The real debate is whether we want Chile to grow again, to have more opportunities, and more jobs. That's what's at stake. Not the pockets of business owners. Francisco Carrillo M. Economist Fundación Ciudadanos en Acción

The Mexican Agency for International Development Cooperation (AMEXCID) and the government of El Salvador launched the second phase of the "Sembrando Vida" program on Monday. This bilateral project aims to strengthen food security and promote sustainable rural development through direct actions in local communities. The launch took place in the department of La Libertad, with the official opening of registration for participants, and was attended by Mexican and Salvadoran officials. This marks a renewed commitment to local communities and their autonomous development, according to AMEXCID. The implementation of this new phase seeks to significantly expand the scope of the program. According to the Mexican Ambassador to El Salvador, Ricardo Cantú, the project is expected to reach approximately 10,000 farmers, a scale that, as the diplomat highlighted to AMEXCID, surpasses the usual beneficiaries of other cooperation initiatives: "When I review reports of international cooperation from other countries, the beneficiaries are usually 100, 200, or 300 people, not thousands. That is one of its strengths: the benefit reaches the farmer directly." The central objective, according to the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Adriana Mira, is to "contribute to food security and increase productivity, especially for people in situations of return." The follow…

On June 3, 2026, the El Salvador national team will face South Korea in an international friendly match that will serve as part of their preparation for the CONCACAF Nations League in September, as confirmed by Yamil Bukele, president of the Salvadoran Football Federation (FESFUT), through a statement released on the social media platform X. The match, which will be held at the America First Field in Sandy, Utah, United States, was announced by FESFUT after the rescheduling of a previously planned match against Morocco. This series of matches is intensifying with the confirmation of a second friendly: the Salvadoran national team will also face Qatar on June 6 at the BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, California. The addition of both matches reinforces El Salvador's international presence during the June 2026 FIFA window, FESFUT announced in an official statement. Qatar, the announced opponent after the cancellation of the match against Morocco, hosted the 2022 World Cup and has qualified for the 2026 World Cup in Group B, according to Bukele's announcement on his X account. The match against South Korea takes on additional significance, as the Asian team is among the teams qualified for the 2026 World Cup and will be in Group A with Mexico, South Africa, and the Czech Republic, as detailed by FESFUT in its official announcement. South Korea, coached by Son H…

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has published the results of its economic assessment of Chile for 2026, as part of the traditional Article IV consultation process between the organization and the country. The document, released this Monday afternoon, is a preliminary report reflecting the opinions of the IMF's technical staff, who visited Chile over the past two weeks. The team was led by mission chief Andrea Schaechter, and included staff members Si Guo, Myrto Oikonomou, Jocelyn Boussard, and Bikas Joshi. The opinions of the IMF's Executive Board, which are based on the information gathered in this report, will be issued several months after the release of this initial document. In its extensive statement, the first report from the international organization under the new government of José Antonio Kast, highlights measures such as the major reforms aimed at boosting economic growth and cuts to public spending. However, it also warns about risks related to revenue collection and recommends taking further measures in the labor sector, particularly concerning the "universal childcare program." The IMF also discusses the worst-case external scenario, due to the war in Iran, and states that the Central Bank must be prepared to raise interest rates if inflationary pressures persist. However, it also acknowledged the government's decision to pass on the increase in fuel prices in March. In this context, the IMF has also adjusted its growth projections for...

"Playing only with the guitar is like singing in the shower: just as bare, just as pure, ideally," explains Martín Buscaglia about the format he will be using for his concerts in Chile, on Friday, May 8th, and Saturday, May 9th, at Espacio Incluir (Alcalde Jorge Monckeberg 581, Ñuñoa, Santiago) and Taller Blanco (Blanco 1146, Valparaíso), respectively. After six years away from the country, the Uruguayan musician is returning as part of the celebration of the 20th anniversary of "El evangelio según mi jardinero," his fourth album, and the three decades since his debut, "Llevenlé," with two shows in a "solo performer" format, where he will revisit songs from different stages of his career and preview parts of his upcoming album, which he hopes to record in the middle of the year. "I'm going solo with the *criolla* guitar, an instrument with which I have a very close relationship. In the last album I made, there's a song called "The Instruments," which talks about how one must master an instrument and also be mastered by it. That's the relationship I have with the guitar, and I believe that performing in this format creates a type of concert with more possibilities for freedom and emotional expression; something important in these times of constant doubt in the face of the proliferation of artificial intelligence and the many masks and make-up that are applied to music," comments the author of "Basta de música." With a career that crosses candombe, funk, rock, songwriting, and...

For next Saturday, May 16th, at the Civic Plaza in Huechuraba, the government of President José Antonio Kast is preparing an event that aims to go beyond a simple commemoration. Under the banner of "Family Festival," the Ministry of Social Development is working on an activity that seeks, among other things, to reinforce the core values of this administration: to establish the family as the central pillar of its project and of public policy. In addition to the Minister, María Jesús Wulf, the event is expected to include the participation (pending confirmation) of the President and the First Lady, María Pía Adriasola. They will be joined by undersecretaries from the ministry and local authorities, in an effort to demonstrate inter-sectoral coordination. The organizers state that the event aims to "highlight that the family is not just a statistical concept, but the fundamental core where vulnerability is prevented and social cohesion is built." With this, the executive branch is attempting to reinforce – in conjunction with Family Day, celebrated on Friday, May 15th – an identity marker that has characterized President Kast's discourse since his arrival at La Moneda. In line with this, one of the main highlights will be the keynote speech, where the announcement of one of the government's key commitments related to the topic is anticipated. The narrative being developed internally aims to establish that "the success of Chile depends on strong families protected by a state that..."

From the party's national headquarters, the consensus list of the "Party for Democracy" addressed its position regarding the government of José Antonio Kast. Last Thursday, "Juntos al Futuro," led by Congressman Raúl Soto, was the only group registered for the national elections on May 31st. Regarding this process, the congressman stated that in the coming weeks, they will be traveling throughout the country to encourage participation from party members. "We cannot continue to only look to the past, but we must also start looking towards the future, and we want to be the driving force behind the reconstruction of the center-left and progressivism in Chile," Soto said. On the other hand, regarding the party's position towards the administration of José Antonio Kast, the congressman explained: "We want to be a constructive opposition capable of providing certainty to the country, and we will always keep our doors open for dialogue with all political actors, even if we have different views, because that is the foundation of democratic practice." "At this particular point, we are very concerned today about the direction the government is taking and the direction our country is heading. We feel a sense of disillusionment and despair among citizens. We believe there is also fear and uncertainty about the future. The government has made mistakes time and again in its decisions," he detailed…

Marcelo Ríos made headlines again this weekend after an incident that occurred at a restaurant in the eastern part of the capital. The former world number one appears in a video conversing with police officers while clearly intoxicated, following an evening with his partner, Tamara Cornejo. Amidst this controversy, the left-handed tennis player called the morning show "Mucho Gusto" on Mega to clarify what happened and to discuss other topics. "I admit that I drank too much, I admit that I remember very little, and it's strange because sometimes I remember everything and other times I don't remember many things that happened," he said. "I had an argument with my girlfriend, yes, we argued, we spoke loudly, and I think everyone knows that when you drink, you become more hoarse," he added, explaining what happened: "They took me outside, and the police officers spoke to me, and you can see that they patted me a few times. I haven't been detained, and I wasn't even driving." "I told Tamara, 'Leave, because the police are coming, the press is coming,' and she left. But there's no evidence of any punches or any complaints," he continued. In that context, he also appreciated that the establishment didn't take further action and reiterated his apologies. "I'm a well-known person, and this happened. What makes me feel better is that Taringa said, 'Okay, we'll leave this here.' I apologized to the people at Taringa, and if there's anyone who felt wronged, I apologize, it just happened..."

Over the past two weeks, there have been two kidnapping incidents in Santiago, which received relatively little attention in the media coverage. One of them was resolved quickly; the other, after a week, was resolved through a large payment and the collaboration between the Chilean and Colombian police forces to identify the perpetrators of the extortion. This type of activity, which was once rare and attracted significant attention, now appears to be more frequent. This is corroborated by the figures in the "Security Outlook 2025" report, prepared by the Observatory of Organized Crime and Terrorism at Andrés Bello University, which, while noting a decrease in homicides, confirms an increase in crimes of high public concern. How should the Ministry of Public Security address this escalation? Pablo Urquízar, coordinator of the Observatory of Organized Crime and Terrorism at Andrés Bello University, and Gonzalo Parra, a professor at the University of Chile and researcher at the Milenio Institute for Research on Violence and Democracy, discussed this and other issues in a recent broadcast.

For the first time, a team of scientists from the United States, Switzerland, and Canada has captured direct images of the ocean floor, revealing a tectonic plate in the process of breaking apart beneath the Pacific Ocean, off the coast of Canada. Subduction is the process by which an oceanic plate sinks into the Earth's mantle, the hot, semi-solid layer beneath the crust. This sinking generates a pulling force, which is the primary driver of the movement of tectonic plates. The researchers documented this process on the small Explorer plate, a fragment of oceanic crust formed approximately four million years ago off the coast of Vancouver Island. The findings were published in the journal *Science Advances*. Today, this plate is sinking more slowly beneath the North American plate and is in the final stages of its detachment. The research was led by Brandon Shuck of Louisiana State University, with colleagues from Columbia University, Auburn University, the Institute of Geophysics at the University of Texas at Austin, the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Dalhousie University, the University of British Columbia, the University of Geneva, and the University of Washington. The Plate That Lost Its Way The Juan de Fuca plate, which is adjacent to and larger than the Explorer plate, sinks at a rate of more than four centimeters per year beneath North America. This is more than double the rate of the Explorer plate, which moves at just over two centimeters per year.

The group of Socialist Party (PS) deputies, led by Nelson Venegas, has launched a harsh accusation against officials at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, accusing them of allegedly conducting a smear campaign against the candidacy of former President Michelle Bachelet for the position of Secretary-General of the United Nations. In a letter addressed to the President of the Chamber of Deputies, Jorge Alessandri, the Socialist Party parliamentarians request that the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Francisco Pérez Mackenna, be informed about the potential action. The letter refers to "the public statement issued by the Libertad Institute on March 26, 2026, which is signed by three officials from that Ministry, namely Cristián Sanhueza Carvajal, Cristián Jara Brito, and Francisco Devia Aldunate, and in which they express their rejection of the candidacy of our compatriot and former President of the Republic of Chile, H.E. Michelle Bachelet Jeria, for the position of Secretary-General of the United Nations (UN)." The congress members mention the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' decision to "neither support nor reject" Bachelet's candidacy, and emphasize that this position "would be compromised by the existence of public statements from three officials from that Ministry." Specifically, the Socialists accuse these officials of having signed a declaration that stated that the former president's candidacy "originated as an initiative of the Puebla Group..."

"In a few months, we will be launching a comprehensive plan for prison infrastructure," announced the Minister of Public Works, Martín Arrau, in a conversation with the streaming program of La Tercera. According to him, the plan aims to create an additional 20,000 prison spaces. When asked about the location of these facilities, he stated that they would be built in "more remote areas, where we will have less impact." In this regard, the former Minister of Security from the previous government, Luis Cordero, responded to Arrau and said that "the government can make all possible efforts, but it will not build 20,000 prison spaces before the end of its term."

The Constitutional Court (CC) of Guatemala has established a new legal precedent by declaring, through case file 7745-2024, the unconstitutionality of two key provisions of Regulation 40-2010 regarding foster care. The ruling requires juvenile courts to prioritize keeping minors in a family environment and orders the National Adoption Council (CNA) to adapt its procedures to promote the continued placement of children within existing, established family bonds. The central objective of this ruling, according to the CC, is to strengthen the right of girls, boys, and adolescents to grow up within a family and to avoid institutionalization, which negatively impacts their overall well-being. Elimination of Time Limits and Adoption Restrictions The Constitutional Court, in its analysis of Regulation 40-2010, eliminated two fundamental restrictions. First, it deemed the maximum six-month time limit for foster care to be unconstitutional. This rigid time limit prevented individualized assessments and violated the principle of the best interests of the child. It failed to consider the specific needs and circumstances of each minor, which could lead to decisions that did not promote their stability or emotional well-being. According to Diario Soy2502. Second, the ruling eliminated the prohibition on adoption by foster families. The ruling recognizes that the emotional bonds formed during…

Depression is a mental health disorder that affects mood, thoughts, and behavior. It can cause persistent sadness and a loss of interest in daily activities. Now, scientific research is uncovering new ways to understand this condition, particularly in adolescents and young people. A study published in The Journals of Gerontology, Series A, shows that blood can reveal important clues about mental health. By analyzing the aging of certain white blood cells, scientists from various institutions in the United States detected indicators related to mood and thoughts, often before physical symptoms appear. This finding is crucial because depression is one of the most common mental health problems. Global Reality of Depression Worldwide, it is estimated that approximately 5.7% of adults suffer from depression, representing over 330 million people across the globe. In adolescents, it can manifest as intense sadness, irritability, loss of interest in activities, changes in sleep or appetite, and difficulty in social interactions. Depression is not simply feeling sad for a few days. It is a disorder that affects how a person thinks, feels, and acts, and can cause isolation, difficulty concentrating, and changes in sleep or weight. It can lead to anxiety, feelings of worthlessness, and, in severe cases, thoughts of self-harm…

The name of Neymar continues to be a topic of discussion within the Brazilian national team. Although the Santos player has not worn the green and yellow jersey since October 2023, his teammates remain hopeful and desire that he will be included in the squad for the 2026 World Cup in North America. The most recent player to express this sentiment is Raphinha, who believes that Neymar could be the key to leading the Brazilian national team to their sixth World Cup title, not only for his sporting abilities but also for the confidence and morale boost his presence can bring to the team. He also fondly recalled his early days with the national team and the role that the former PSG player played in his adaptation. "He welcomed me into the national team as if he had known me my whole life. He gave me the confidence to play football. He truly embraced me," he confessed in an interview with Globo. This bond has translated into a cherished memory for Raphinha. "(The most important trophy) is this one, Neymar's boot from when he surpassed Pelé in the national team. He had a limited edition made, and he gave them to friends, teammates, and he gave one to me." Now, with the 2026 World Cup drawing closer, the discussion about Neymar's physical condition is ongoing. "For me, Neymar is the right person to achieve the sixth title. We need to understand what..."

Social violence in Costa Rica has seen a sustained increase in recent years, increasingly manifesting in school environments and causing alarm among experts and educational authorities who warn of the urgent need for comprehensive intervention. The Education Observatory of the American University (UAM) points out that the social pressures faced by children and adolescents are clearly reflected in classrooms, where the increasing number of reports of bullying and aggression confirms the severity of the situation. In 2024 alone, firearm-related homicides rose to 684 cases, a significant increase compared to the 405 recorded in 2020, according to the Ministry of Justice, illustrating the expansion of a structural environment of violence. This deterioration occurs while poverty shows only minimal progress, continuing to weigh heavily on a large segment of the population, particularly vulnerable children, according to data from the INEC (National Institute of Statistics and Census). The educational environment has become the primary space for social interaction for young people: 95% of the population between the ages of five and eighteen attends school, according to the INEC, which underscores the need for these spaces to be safe and capable of containing the escalation of violence. Between 2022 and 2025, the Ministry of Public Education recorded nearly 2,938 reports of bullying and other forms of aggression in educational institutions, highlighting a chronic problem…

The latest Plaza Pública survey, conducted by Cadem and covering the last week of April, revealed a decline in support for President José Antonio Kast, whose approval rating fell to 39% (-1 point), reaching its lowest level since he took office on March 11th. At the same time, his disapproval rate remained at 57%, solidifying a challenging situation for the government during its first 50 days in office. The survey also shows a general decline in the evaluation of his personal attributes and leadership qualities over the past month. Among the aspects that continue to be viewed positively, he is still considered "responsible" (47%, -4 points), "courageous" (46%, -6 points), and possessing "authority and leadership" (45%, -8 points). However, more significant declines are observed in areas such as charisma (36%, -7), approachability (33%, -4), and empathy (32%). Regarding his performance in government, all indicators registered declines compared to April. Despite this, the areas that are still rated most favorably are his ability to grow the economy (53%, -6), manage international relations (50%, -4), and address immigration (50%, -3). It should be noted that the largest declines are concentrated in his ability to maintain order within his political coalition and in the evaluation of his government team, both of which fell from 39% to 31% (-8 points). Crime: The Main Concern for Citizens In terms of security, the survey reveals that 67% of respondents...

DEAR EDITOR: In recent months, we have been receiving a great deal of information about the devastating effects that the indiscriminate use of screens and social media has on our children and young people: pornography, addiction to online gambling, anxiety, depression, and even suicide. All of these misfortunes become visible at a central point: young people are losing sight of the purpose that defines this stage of their lives. The "task" that every teenager should undertake is to discover and solidify their identity. This translates into having ideals, cultivating interests, and undertaking projects based on a recognition of their own abilities and talents to improve society. How can we ensure that they fulfill this "task" in a solid and authentic way, remaining true to their traditions, culture, tastes, and roots, when every action they take must be validated by what social media tyrannically evaluates? For all of this, I commend the government, especially the Ministry of Social Development, for combating this evil that is so intimately harming young people. Alejandra Figari Vial

The concept of free higher education is based on a flawed diagnosis, which justifies our efforts to reform it. The underlying assumption is that the primary obstacle preventing people from pursuing tertiary education is a lack of financial resources. However, since this diagnosis is incorrect, the consequences of free education have often been undesirable. Regarding the reasons why more people don't pursue tertiary education, two explanations are commonly offered. The first is that the problem lies in a lack of access to credit: people are unable to enter the tertiary system because they cannot afford to finance their studies. The second is that people are not accessing the tertiary system because they lack the necessary knowledge and skills to successfully complete a degree program. Both explanations lead to very different public policies (although they are not mutually exclusive). International empirical evidence suggests that both explanations play a role, but that the primary factor is a lack of knowledge and skills. If the problem were indeed a lack of funding, then policies like free education would help to solve it. However, if the problem is that people are not adequately prepared to benefit from university courses, then free education is ineffective. In fact, it encourages individuals who lack the necessary qualifications to enroll in programs that may not necessarily improve their employment prospects.

After 35 days of waiting, Formula 1 returned in a big way. Following the suspensions of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix, due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, the top category of motorsport convened in Miami to celebrate the fourth race of the season. As is becoming customary, the winner was once again Kimi Antonelli. The Italian, who is already making history as the youngest driver to lead the championship, secured his third victory of the season (all three consecutively) and continues to place Mercedes at the top. The dominance continues. Due to a concerning forecast of rain in the state of Florida, the race had to be moved forward by two hours. The FIA was keen to avoid a repeat of an accident like the one involving Oliver Bearman, which caused a great deal of criticism during the Japanese Grand Prix. However, despite the organizers' efforts, the start of the race was not without its problems. The cold felt on the Hard Rock Stadium circuit quickly contrasted with the lively atmosphere that developed during the first lap. Antonelli, who was leading the pack after his pole position on Saturday, lost the lead to Charles Leclerc. Behind him, Max Verstappen's car collided with something and spun out. The Dutchman narrowly avoided a major incident but dropped back to P10. Later, Isack Hadjar and Pierre…

Threat of heavy rainstorm in Miami causes organisers to move up race start time to 17:00 GMT on Sunday.