Chile

Aiming to create jobs and mitigate the effects of the global financial crisis, President Bachelet announced the largest economic stimulus plan in Chile's history. President Bachelet continues to see a boost in her popularity, ahead of the December 2009 presidential elections.

Dr. Thomas D. Dillehay, a distinguished professor of anthropology at Vanderbilt University and Professor Extroardinaire at the Universidad de Chile, talks with AS/COA Online about the objects featured in Moon Tears: Mapuche Art and Cosmology from the Domeyko Cassel Collection—the current exhibition featured at the Americas Society.

Moon Tears: Mapuche Art and Cosmology from the Domeyko Cassel Collection examined an indigenous group barely known outside of South America. 

In the latest Americas Quarterly: Memos to the President-Elect, President Michelle Bachelet of Chile says "The world is ripe for a renewed and strengthened multilateralism, and the support of the U.S. will be decisive."

Speaking at AS/COA's annual Latin American Cities Conference in Santiago, Chilean Minister of Finance Andrés Velasco presented a strong outlook of Chile's economy despite a global economic slowdown. Velasco also recommended fiscal prudence to fight inflation.

At a time of global economic challenges such as rising energy prices and inflation growth, AS/COA brought together public and private sector leaders for its annual conference in Santiago de Chile on August 6. Speakers emphasized Chile's ability to attract foreign investment but warned of inflation risks.

Ahead of the October municipal elections, Chile’s two main political coalitions are showing signs of internal conflict. Divisions in the Concertación and Alianza camps could have large consequences for the 2009 presidential race.