Curfew lifted as peace restored in Chillán

Translated By Brian Schwarz

Originally published in Friday, March 5, 2010 in "Diario La Discusión" of Chillán, Chile (diarioladiscusion.cl) under the heading Con una hora menos prosiguió Toque de Queda en la intercomuna

CHILLAN, CHILE – Authorities and community leaders have evaluated the “state of calm” being enforced in the area of Chillán and Chillán Viejo and this morning should decide if the measure will continue to be employed.

Twenty-four people were detained during the first night the curfew was in place in the adjoined towns. The measure, which places restrictions on individual rights, had been implemented due to the mood of unrest experienced in the city following the earthquake.

Local authorities and leaders detailed the positive effects of the measure, which effectively brought an end to the practice of neighbors arming themselves to defend their villages and homes for fear of looting.

Commander Juan Jose Diaz of the 9th Infantry Regiment of Chillan said during the first night of vigilance of the exception measure there was absolute calm in the city.

Earthquake in Chile kills 82; death toll expected to rise

Translated by Brian Schwarz

Originally published Saturday, February 27, 2010 in "La Segunda Online" of Santiago, Chile (lasegunda.com) under the heading Terremoto sacude centro sur del país: gobierno confirma 82 muertos

SANTIAGO, CHILE – The Chilean government raised to 82 the number of deaths caused by the earthquake that shook the south central region of Chile this morning.

According to Minister of the Interior, Edmundo Pérez Yoma, 34 of the dead were reported in the region of Maule. He added that the death toll reached 13 in Santiago, 10 in the region of O’Higgons, four in Valparaiso and three in La Araucanía, some 415 miles to the south of Santiago.

In the region of Bío Bío, where the epicenter of the earthquake was reported early Saturday morning, 10 were confirmed dead. But according to sub-secretary of the Interior, Patricio Rosende, that figure is expected to rise.

For now communications problems persist, the official said, confirming too that the government declared a state of emergency for the entire area affected by the quake, including the regions of Valparaíso and La Araucanía, which spans some 500 miles of the country.

No property damage estimates have been given, however, the international airport in Santiago was closed due to some damages to its facilities and it has been reported that several secondary bridges have collapsed.

The quake, which registered a magnitude of 8.8 [on the Richter Scale], had its epicenter in the region of Biobío and was felt as far away as the capital Santiago, where it twisted the balconies of buildings, downed bridges, sparked fires and cut power, telephones and Internet service. These services are just this morning being partially restored.

Ti grenn fè gwo pyebwa

A little seed makes a big tree. By texting "QUAKE" to 20222 you can donate $10 directly to the Clinton Bush Haiti Relief Fund. You will be charged on your next cell phone bill. Find out more by clicking the ad above.

Massive flood of Haitians seek to enter Dominican Republic for food, water, candles

Translated by Brian Schwarz

Originally published Wednesday, January 13, 2010, in "El Nacional" of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic (elnacional.com.do) under the heading Haitianos buscan llegar RD en masiva avalancha

DAJABON, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC – Hundreds of Haitians congregated today before the gate that divides Haiti and the Dominican Republic in an attempt to cross over to Dominican soil to buy food, water and candles to provide light during the night, this following the crash of the country’s power system and potable water supply.

Meanwhile, others challenged military security as they tried to enter the border city of Dajabón seeking call centers in order to reach their families who live in Port-au-Prince.

Troops in charge of the customs border crossing, located in Dajabón, only allowed passage for Haitians with passports stamped with Dominican visas.

According to Haitian eyewitnesses, the earthquake was felt with great intensity in Ouanaminthe, Cap-Haïtien, Fort Liberté, Trou-du-Nord, Milot and other towns in North Haiti, although damage was minimal.

They reported that road bridges that link Cap-Haïtien and Port-au-Prince suffered serious damage affecting transit between these two key cities.

Still, transit between Cap-Haïtien and the rest of the towns in North and Northeast Haiti, including Dajabón, is normal. But the transport of goods from the Dominican Republic to the neighboring nation was paralyzed by the prevailing confusion on the day of the earthquake.

Trucks filled with food, construction materials and other goods began making their way Wednesday toward Ouanaminthe, Cap-Haïtien, Fort Liberté and other North Haiti towns.

The Border Security Specialized Body (CESFRONT) and the northern border national guard have strengthened strategic points in the zone to prevent a massive flood of undocumented Haitians in Dominican territory.

While the situation in Ouanaminthe and other towns in the North and Northeast Haiti is normal, Haitians who reside in this area recount with great horror the earthquake that has devastated Haiti.

Revolutionary Communist Party of Argentina commemorates 42nd year

Translated by Brian Schwarz

Originally published in "Jujuy al Día" of Jujuy, Argentina (jujuyaldia.com.ar) under the heading 42 º aniversario del Partido Comunista Revolucionario.

[This article was published in a traditional newspaper but it is not a traditional piece of journalism. It is from the Communist Revolutionary Party of Argentina's (PCR) point of view. It does not necessarily reflect the views of this blog or its sponsors.]

SAN SALVADOR DE JUJUY, ARGENTINA – The Communist Revolutionary Party of Argentina (PCR), was founded January 6, 1968. Commemorating its 42nd anniversary with celebratory toasts and activities in San Salvador de Juyjuy and Liberator General San Martín, the PCR took the opportunity to reaffirm its communist principles at a very unique time in the Argentine world.

In 2010, we will commemorate by raising flags the bicentennial and the struggle of Belgrano and San Martín. [Manuel Belgrano participated in the Argentine fight for independence; General José de San Martín led decisive campaigns in the wars for independence in Argentina, Chile and Peru.] Meanwhile, the national government uses the reserves of the “bicentennial fund” to pay debts to imperialist money-lenders, leaving thousands jobless and hungry.

This is why it is necessary to build a revolutionary part that is capable of joining the Democratic Popular Revolution that our country needs in order to end dependence on all imperial powers and large estates and to achieve national greatness and wellbeing of the people. One of the objectives of the political struggle is to protect the working class and other populist sectors from maelstrom of the crisis and its consequences being paid by the working class and other populist sectors, which is something that the government of Cristina Kirchner is incapable of achieving.

On the contrary the “anti-crisis” measures that were announced only benefit a handful of monopolies, large landowners, bankers, speculators and money launderers. The PCR is working to regroup patriotic and populist efforts so that by way of public protest another type of politics and government may be imposed.

Because we love Sandro

This is a bit of a departure from the regular entries here on LatAm News Translations, but today the beloved Argentine singer Sandro de América, born Roberto Sánchez and known as the 'Argentine Elvis', ceased to exist (as the Argentines say). So I was compelled to translate the lyrics to his popular song Porque te amo, or Because I love you. We'll miss you Sandro!

Because I Love You
by Sandro de América (Roberto Sánchez)
Translated by Brian Schwarz

From the intense emotion welling up in your eyes, I can feel you’re suffering, as I am. This situation clouds reason, impedes thought on how this singular drama that exists between the two of us must end. We’re trying to pretend we’re only friends when in reality the passion is intensifying, biting at the heart and forcing me into silence. I love you. I love you.

Your ruby red, crimson lips seem to whisper a thousand things, without speaking. And I am here, seated before you, feeling as if I’m bleeding, unable to speak, trying to say somehow it would be better if I leave here, to see you no more. Why should I care at all? I already know I’ll suffer. But in the end I’ll have a quiet heart, and I’ll finally be able to shout… I love you. I love you. I love you.

Porque te amo
by Sandro de América (Roberto Sánchez)

Por ese palpitar
que tiene tu mirar
yo puedo presentir
que tú debes sufrir
igual que sufro yo
por esta situación
que nubla la razón
sin permitir pensar
En que ha de concluir
el drama singular
que existe entre los dos
tratando simular
tan solo una amistad
mientras en realidad
se agita la pasión
que muerde el corazón
y que obliga a callar
yo te amo......yo te amo

Tus labios de rubí
de rojo carnesí
parecen murmurar
mil cosas sin hablar
y yo que estoy aquí
sentado frente a ti
me siento desangrar
sin poder conversar
tratando de decir
tal vez será mejor
me marché yo de aquí
para no vernos mas
total que mas me da
ya se que sufriré
pero al final tendré
tranquilo el corazón
y al fin podré gritar
yo te amo
yo te amo
yo te a a mo

Bolivia announces UNASUR summit

Translated by Brian Schwarz

Originally published January 4, 2010 in "La Prensa" of Managua, Nicaragua (laprensa.com.ni) under the heading Bolivia anuncia cumbre de Unasur

LA PAZ, BOLIVIA (AFP) – The Bolivian government announced Monday in La Paz that the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR) will host a summit in Quito, Ecuador, January 27 and 28, to discuss the issue of the seven U.S. military bases in Colombia.

“We will be arranging a meeting of the heads of state of UNASUR, January 27 and 28, where we will discuss exclusively the issue of the military bases” in Colombia, said Bolivian defense minister Walker San Miguel, interviewed by the private radio station Erbol.

The Bolivian official announced that “the Bolivian government will take its well-known stance” at the meeting, referring to La Paz’ firm criticism of the U.S. military bases, a position clearly shared by Colombia’s neighbors, Venezuela and Ecuador.

The existence of more than six bases staffed with U.S. personnel has generated a total impasse in the region, which feels uncomfortable with the foreign presence”, said the defense minister, Bolivia’s point person on the Colombia-U.S. military situation.

At the last meeting of UNASUR, held in Quito last November, defense ministers agreed to organize a regional meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Hilary Clinton in order to discuss the matter.

UNASUR, headquartered in Ecuador, is comprised of Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Guyana, Paraguay, Perú, Surinam, Uruguay and Venezuela. [UNASUR in this article refers to the voting body formed by the UNASUR treaty, signed in 2008, which aims to organize South America in a model similar to that of the European Union with a common currency, parliament, and passport.]

More scandal than glamour at runway show in Punta del Este

Translated by Brian Schwarz

Originally published January 4, 2010 in "Observa" of Montevideo, Uruguay (observa.com.uy) under the heading Poco glamour y mucho escándalo


PUNTA DEL ESTE, URUGUAY - Featuring his classic “moving heads”, Argentine hairstylist Roberto Giordano this Sunday held his traditional runway show in Punta del Este. This time, the soiree was absent of the big Argentinean stars such as Susana Giménez, Moria Casán, Diego Maradona or Viggo Mortensen, who have been known to occupy the first few rows fronting the catwalk.

This year Giordano chose the Hotel Conrad as the backdrop for his show. He was accompanied by his personal friend and co-director, famous Argentinean hairstylist Teté Coustarot, who thanked national customs director Ricardo Prato following the incident in which the dresses that were used in the runway show were confiscated.

Lacking famous names at the event, Giordano pointed out that among the crowd were inspectors from the [Uruguay’s] internal revenue service (DGI), which was on hand doing audits.

Unlike in past years, the show was not held outside, nor did it register any relevant surprises. Apart from models like Sofía Zámolo, Dolores Barreiro and Rocio Guirao Díaz, among others, very few recognizable faces were to be seen.

The mother of chocolate magnate Ricardo Fort was one of the special guests. Marta Fort appeared to be very cordial with those present and even gave a CD as a gift to Giordano. Actor Gabriel Corrado, another who never misses the classic event, enthusiastically applauded each of the models.

Also pointed out among those in attendance were singer and actress Lola Ponce, who is famous in Italy, and Argentine fashion designer Carlos Di Domenico.

U.S. antiterrorist paranoia aimed at Cuba, other countries

Translated by Brian Schwarz

Originally published in the Cuban state-sponsored news source “Granma” (granma.cubaweb.cu) under the heading Paranoia antiterrorista de EE.UU. arremete contra Cuba y otros países. Pictured at right: Cuban President Raúl Castro

WASHINGTON, D.C. – As part of its antiterrorist paranoia, the U.S. government announced Sunday it will be reinforcing security measures at air terminals throughout the country. The new measures apply stricter controls to passengers arriving from 14 nations, Cuba among them, which Washington accuses of “terrorism supporters”.

North American authorities said the decision is part of a campaign to implement “long term, sustainable security measures”, according to new regulations of the U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA).

A high official declared to the AFP news agency [afp.com/afpcom/en] that the controls apply to all passengers who come from or have passed through 14 countries, which include, apart from Cuba, Iran, Sudan, and Syria, and other countries such as Afghanistan, Libya, Nigeria, Pakistan, Somalia and Yemen. The other countries have yet to be specified.

The desperate measure applies to all airlines, be they U.S. airlines or not, and will be effective in the U.S. as of Sunday at midnight.

A political website, which cites a high-ranking official from the Obama administration, also said that “100 percent of those passengers born in or who arrive from those countries will be subject to a rigorous body search and a manual inspection of their personal effects”.

According to U.S. authorities, in a DPA transmission, these procedures guarantee maximum air security in the country from this point forward.

The new supervisory measures will also include, “when necessary, the latest, most advanced detection and imaging technologies,” Europa Press added.

Gay marriage, adoption rights open path to equality in Latin America

Translated by Brian Schwarz

Originally published in “El Tiempo” of Bogota, Colombia (eltiempo.com) under the heading Poco a poco se abren paso las bodas gays en América Latina

MONTEVIDEO, URUGUAY – For the gay community, 2009 was a year of great advances in the fight for equal rights in a region where fierce resistance stems from a strong Catholic tradition.

With the celebration in Argentina of Latin America’s first gay marriage and the legalization of this type of wedding in Mexico City, the gay community closed the year with important advances in its fight for equal rights, this in open conflict with the strong tradition of Catholicism throughout the region.

The Argentine wedding took place just two days after the Mexico City’s legislative assembly approved December 21 a law that would allow gay couple to marry. That law becomes effective in Mexico in February.

Buenos Aires and Mexico City, as well as Uruguay and Colombia, already allow civil unions, but marriage among people of the same sex was not made legal in the region until now.

The controversy over gay marriage carries with it a debate over adoption rights for couples of the same sex.

Along these lines, this year there were advances in Uruguay. A new law passed to authorize adoption for gay couples while another passed which allows name and sex records to be changed.

In El Salvador, an attempt to expressly block gay marriages failed. While clauses that prohibit sexual discrimination were included in the constitutions of Bolivia and Ecuador.

In Colombia, an ongoing judicial struggle indicates that couples of the same sex may win adoption rights, according to Germán Rincón, member of Colombia Diversa.

Even Cuba seems to have left marginalization behind and has raised the possibility of permitting legal unions and adoptions.

On the other hand, in Costa Rica the highest court rejected a plea to legalize gay unions. And in Peru, the government passed a new police law mandating severe sanctions for officers who are gay, because they affect the image of the institution.

Mexico among countries negotiating to buy France’s vaccine overstock

Translated by Brian Schwarz

Originally published January 3, 2009 by RFI: Radio France Internationale Español (rfi.fr/actues/pages/001/accueil.asp) under the heading París vende vacunas by Auxilio Alcantar

PARIS, FRANCE - The World Health Organization feared that the [influenza A, or H1N1] epidemic would spread rapidly in Europe and France wanted to be prepared for it. So without thinking twice about it, French health minister Roselyne Bachelot wrote a check for $869 million Euros to buy 94 million doses of the vaccine.

The idea was that each person would receive a double injection of the product that was made by four laboratories: the French Sanofi-Pasteur, Swiss Norvatis, the British Glaxo Smith Kline and the U.S.-based Baxter. Nevertheless, November 20 it was realized that just one dose per patient provided sufficient protection.

The vaccination campaign started up October 21, and since then just five million people have been vaccinated. At first, it was because of strong reservations concerning the (possible) side effects of the vaccine and now because the epidemic’s peak already has passed.

The vaccine cannot be stored for long because of limits on the medicine’s expiration date and because the virus’ strains mutate. As such, France has begun to sell off its store of the vaccine in the foreign market.

Qatar already bought 300,000 doses, Egypt could be getting two million, and negotiations are underway with authorities in Mexico and the Ukraine. Apparently the vaccines will be sold at the price at which they were bought, which is 7 Euros per unit.

In September France gave nine million doses to the WHO, in a joint effort with the United States, Australia and Brazil to grant 10 percent of the respective stock to provide populations in poorer nations with access to the vaccine.

Until now the H1N1 virus has caused 200 deaths in France, 12,000 in the world, and 10,000 in the United States, the country most impacted.