Latest news with #Valparaíso
The Guardian
30-06-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
‘We'll keep fighting': search persists for priest thought to be murdered on Pinochet torture ship
In the weak winter sunshine forensic investigators in white suits cast long shadows as they stepped between gravestones at Playa Ancha cemetery in the Chilean coastal city of Valparaíso. But as the rhythmic click of spades and the throb of an excavator faded, a third search for the remains of Michael Woodward reached a frustrating conclusion. No trace has ever been found of Woodward, an Anglo-Chilean priest who is thought to have been murdered on the Esmeralda, a Chilean navy corvette which Gen Augusto Pinochet's bloody regime used as a floating torture centre after its coup d'état on 11 September 1973. But almost two years since the Chilean state assumed responsibility for finding the missing victims of Pinochet's regime for the first time, cautious, methodical progress is being made. 'The fact that they managed to carve out a space for a permanent, ongoing public policy commitment is no mean feat,' said Dr Cath Collins, director of the transitional justice observatory at Diego Portales University in Santiago. In August 2023, the National Search Plan for Truth and Justice became an official state policy, with the aiming of centralizing information, finding the remains – or trace the final movements – of 1,469 disappeared people, and seeking reparations for their families. In the harrowing, uncertain days after Pinochet's coup, Miguel Woodward, as the tall, cheerful priest was known to his Chilean friends, laid low in the valleys around the city. Born to an English father and Chilean mother in Valparaíso and educated in the UK, he had returned to Chile to become a priest, joining a leftist political movement under the banner of socialist president Salvador Allende's Unidad Popular coalition. Early on 22 September 1973, Woodward was kidnapped from his home by a navy patrol and taken to the Universidad Santa María, which had become a makeshift detention centre. He was beaten and submerged in the campus swimming pool, before being transferred to a naval academy and then on to the Esmeralda, where he is thought to have died of the injuries sustained under torture. 'That's when our search began,' said Javier Rodríguez, 58, an affable, wild-haired construction worker with an unbreakable will to find the priest he remembers vividly as a family friend. Rodríguez founded the Friends of Miguel Woodward organisation, and has set up a cultural centre in Woodward's name, a narrow room a few doors down from where the priest was abducted, where a faded poster promoting the National Search Plan is stuck in the window. 'If Miguel were alive now, he would be marching for Palestine, for the Mapuche [Indigenous people], for all injustices,' he said. 'They murdered him because they were afraid of him.' Since democracy returned to Chile in 1990, human rights cases have made halting progress through the Chilean courts. Woodward's sister, Patricia, was able to file a case in 2002, but it was soon closed for lack of evidence. Eventually, when it was reopened on appeal, 10 low-ranking officers were implicated in his torture. Two were convicted, but neither ever served jail time. Michael Woodward's final moments have been pieced together from eyewitness accounts and testimonies, but those of many others have not – and activists fear that time is running out. 'The easy cases are all done,' said Dr Collins, 'Some of the people who might have been going to talk have died.' In Chile, the armed forces have long tried to obstruct progress, either by remaining silent or handing over partial or misleading information. Progress has been achingly slow. 'The state never did enough to find any of the disappeared, but now the resources are there,' said Rodríguez. 'Maybe the [search] plan came late, but it represents the state coming to settle its debts.' Searches are being carried out at 20 sites up and down the country, but as yet, no finds have been made – and some fear that progress could soon be checked. 'Of course there is going to be disappointment that there haven't been any big discoveries yet, but if the plan survives the next administration, that's almost an achievement in itself,' said Dr Collins. In November , Chileans will vote in a presidential election in which three of the four current leading candidates offer rightwing agendas to replace leftist president Gabriel Boric, who ratified the national search plan. Woodward's last home, painted bright blue, still stands on a Valparaíso street corner; neighbours still use 'Miguel's house' as a reference when giving directions. And despite its dark history, the Esmeralda is still in service in the Chilean navy. It is frequently picketed by protestors at ports around the world, returning periodically to haunt its victims from Valparaíso's wide bay. Chile's forensic medical service says that further searches for Woodward's body will be carried out in the cemetery in Playa Ancha imminently. 'If we find Miguel, the fight doesn't end there,' said Rodríguez. 'He lived with us and we have a history with him, but he's just one of those we are missing – there will still be hundreds more to find.' 'We'll keep fighting until we have justice, whatever that may look like.'
The Guardian
29-06-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
‘We'll keep fighting': search persists for priest thought to be murdered on Pinochet torture ship
In the weak winter sunshine forensic investigators in white suits cast long shadows as they stepped between gravestones at Playa Ancha cemetery in the Chilean coastal city of Valparaíso. But as the rhythmic click of spades and the throb of an excavator faded, a third search for the remains of Michael Woodward reached a frustrating conclusion. No trace has ever been found of Woodward, an Anglo-Chilean priest who is thought to have been murdered on the Esmeralda, a Chilean navy corvette which Gen Augusto Pinochet's bloody regime used as a floating torture centre after its coup d'état on 11 September 1973. But almost two years since the Chilean state assumed responsibility for finding the missing victims of Pinochet's regime for the first time, cautious, methodical progress is being made. 'The fact that they managed to carve out a space for a permanent, ongoing public policy commitment is no mean feat,' said Dr Cath Collins, director of the transitional justice observatory at Diego Portales University in Santiago. In August 2023, the National Search Plan for Truth and Justice became an official state policy, with the aiming of centralizing information, finding the remains – or trace the final movements – of 1,469 disappeared people, and seeking reparations for their families. In the harrowing, uncertain days after Pinochet's coup, Miguel Woodward, as the tall, cheerful priest was known to his Chilean friends, laid low in the valleys around the city. Born to an English father and Chilean mother in Valparaíso and educated in the UK, he had returned to Chile to become a priest, joining a leftist political movement under the banner of socialist president Salvador Allende's Unidad Popular coalition. Early on 22 September 1973, Woodward was kidnapped from his home by a navy patrol and taken to the Universidad Santa María, which had become a makeshift detention centre. He was beaten and submerged in the campus swimming pool, before being transferred to a naval academy and then on to the Esmeralda, where he is thought to have died of the injuries sustained under torture. 'That's when our search began,' said Javier Rodríguez, 58, an affable, wild-haired construction worker with an unbreakable will to find the priest he remembers vividly as a family friend. Rodríguez founded the Friends of Miguel Woodward organisation, and has set up a cultural centre in Woodward's name, a narrow room a few doors down from where the priest was abducted, where a faded poster promoting the National Search Plan is stuck in the window. 'If Miguel were alive now, he would be marching for Palestine, for the Mapuche [Indigenous people], for all injustices,' he said. 'They murdered him because they were afraid of him.' Since democracy returned to Chile in 1990, human rights cases have made halting progress through the Chilean courts. Woodward's sister, Patricia, was able to file a case in 2002, but it was soon closed for lack of evidence. Eventually, when it was reopened on appeal, 10 low-ranking officers were implicated in his torture. Two were convicted, but neither ever served jail time. Michael Woodward's final moments have been pieced together from eyewitness accounts and testimonies, but those of many others have not – and activists fear that time is running out. 'The easy cases are all done,' said Dr Collins, 'Some of the people who might have been going to talk have died.' In Chile, the armed forces have long tried to obstruct progress, either by remaining silent or handing over partial or misleading information. Progress has been achingly slow. 'The state never did enough to find any of the disappeared, but now the resources are there,' said Rodríguez. 'Maybe the [search] plan came late, but it represents the state coming to settle its debts.' Searches are being carried out at 20 sites up and down the country, but as yet, no finds have been made – and some fear that progress could soon be checked. 'Of course there is going to be disappointment that there haven't been any big discoveries yet, but if the plan survives the next administration, that's almost an achievement in itself,' said Dr Collins. In November , Chileans will vote in a presidential election in which three of the four current leading candidates offer rightwing agendas to replace leftist president Gabriel Boric, who ratified the national search plan. Woodward's last home, painted bright blue, still stands on a Valparaíso street corner; neighbours still use 'Miguel's house' as a reference when giving directions. And despite its dark history, the Esmeralda is still in service in the Chilean navy. It is frequently picketed by protestors at ports around the world, returning periodically to haunt its victims from Valparaíso's wide bay. Chile's forensic medical service says that further searches for Woodward's body will be carried out in the cemetery in Playa Ancha imminently. 'If we find Miguel, the fight doesn't end there,' said Rodríguez. 'He lived with us and we have a history with him, but he's just one of those we are missing – there will still be hundreds more to find.' 'We'll keep fighting until we have justice, whatever that may look like.'
Bloomberg
18-06-2025
- Business
- Bloomberg
Latin America's Data Center Gold Rush Comes With Some Big Risks
From Querétaro to Valparaíso, a digital revolution is quietly unfolding across Latin America. The region is capturing unprecedented investments for the construction of data centers, the physical facilities that house servers, networks and data storage units to run applications and other digital services. Despite its political and economic upheavals, Latin America offers important advantages for these capital-intensive projects, including abundant renewable energy and natural resources such as metals and rare earths, a skilled local workforce and, in some cases, favorable jurisdictions or even tax incentives.
Associated Press
10-06-2025
- Associated Press
Fernwayer Introduces Chile Tours for Cultural Immersion
From photo safaris in the world's driest desert to storytelling-led walking tours, Fernwayer's experiences showcase Chile's natural wonders and living culture. 'Beyond the deserts, glaciers and valleys, it's the human stories that bring places to life. At Fernwayer, we honor Chile's natural beauty while amplifying the traditions of those who call it home.'— Vinitaa Jayson SAN FRANCISCO, CA, UNITED STATES, June 10, 2025 / / -- Fernwayer, the marketplace for curated travel experiences, announces the launch of immersive experiences in Chile—a land of extremes in Latin America where vineyards thrive amid the bone-dry northern deserts and the glacial ice fields of the south and art spills out of every urban crevice. Launching in Santiago, Valparaíso and San Pedro de Atacama, Fernwayer's private tours in Chile are led by passionate hosts with deep ties to their communities. Travelers will hear about the country's journey to independence, meet artisans preserving and reinventing traditional weaving and metalworking crafts, see cities through the eyes of photographers and architects, and share a sobremesa dining experience that feels like family. 'Even today, it's Chile's breathtaking landscapes that first capture travelers' imaginations,' says Vinitaa Jayson, Fernwayer's co-founder. 'But beyond the deserts, glaciers, and valleys, it's the human stories that bring these places to life. At Fernwayer, we honor Chile's natural beauty while amplifying the traditions of those who call it home. We invite travelers to slow down, travel deeper, and forge lasting connections—walking ancient desert paths, chasing the shifting light across salt flats, cooking ancestral recipes, and tracing craftsmanship shaped by centuries of resilience. Each experience uncovers a different layer of Chile's landscapes, living culture, and enduring spirit.' Bringing this philosophy to life, Fernwayer's Experience Makers in Chile create moments of genuine connection with everyday life and living culture. Travelers will exchange stories over Completos and Sopaipillas, hand-purchase fresh fish at Santiago's oldest market, and prepare a meal from scratch in the home of a local chef. They'll also experience Chile's creative pulse through independent galleries and private studios, guided by the artists shaping the country's evolving cultural landscape. EXPLORING CHILE'S MODERN MOUNTAIN CAPITAL Fernwayer's private experiences in Santiago de Chile offer travelers a deeper connection to the city's history and vibrant modern culture. Far beyond a gateway, Santiago reveals itself through the eyes of Fernwayer's Experience Makers. Travelers might share a meal at beloved local restaurants, bonding with their host over Chilean specialties, join artisans in intimate workshops blending ancient traditions with modern innovation or wander the 'Mosaic Capital of the Southern Hemisphere,' discovering how street art speaks for local communities. For those eager to explore the world's longest mountain range, curated cultural experiences in nearby Los Andes invite travelers to connect with nature, agriculture, and astronomy. IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCES IN CHILE'S CULTURAL CAPITAL Fernwayer's intimate walking tours explore Valparaíso's layered past as a seaport, naval base, and center for arts, poetry and resistance. Travelers will meander through the colorful, narrow streets of Cerro Concepción and Cerro Alegre while a Porteño artist divulges the hidden meanings behind the murals and connects the dots between street art and street eats. Creative spirits can follow a photographer who frames the city's secret corners through a fresh lens, or shadow an architect who dissects Valparaíso's hilly blueprint and teaches budding artists to sketch its iconic facades. For a more hands-on experience, travelers can join craft workshops woven with local stories and mythology. PHOTOGRAPHIC TOURS IN THE ATACAMA DESERT The Martian terrain of the world's driest non-polar desert inspire awe—but capturing their surreal beauty can be a challenge for the average traveler without a guide. Fernwayer partners with local photography experts who mentor travelers through the creative process, offering insights into both technique and terrain. Private photo safari tours take place from sunrise to twilight, helping participants create striking images while discovering the region's unique geology, flora, and fauna. Travelers can choose between one-day photography experiences in the Atacama Desert or multi-day expeditions for a deeper exploration. SAVORING CHILE'S GASTRONOMIC HERITAGE Chilean cuisine is far richer and more diverse than the familiar asado and empanadas. Fernwayer's curated culinary experiences connect travelers with seasoned chefs, market vendors, and passionate food artisans. In Santiago, travelers can barter for the freshest ingredients at the city's oldest markets, meeting vendors who have manned their stalls for generations. They'll roll up their sleeves to prepare cherished dishes rarely seen on restaurant menus, learning their roots in Indigenous traditions. Fans of Pablo Neruda can even recreate the poet's favorite recipes in a rhythmic cooking class inspired by his love of Chilean flavors. Further experiences in Valparaíso spotlight the bohemian spirit of this historic seaport, where travelers share plates and sample local beers and spirits in lively, creative spaces. UNCORKING THE WINES OF CHILE No meal in Chile is complete without a glass of vino tinto or vino blanco and every Fernwayer Experience Maker is fluent in the language of wine. Travelers can explore Chilean wines through intimate tastings at boutique wineries, meeting the winemakers who both honor and reinvent tradition. Wine experiences from Santiago and Valparaíso highlight the Aconcagua Valley, where travelers learn how Chile claimed the Carménère grape as its own, and the youthful Casablanca Valley, where the cool Humboldt Currents yield some of the crispest Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc in South America. ABOUT FERNWAYER Fernwayer is a curated travel platform that connects curious explorers with distinctive, locally-driven experiences across Italy, Portugal, Spain, Morocco, Croatia, Greece, Türkiye, Mexico, and now Chile. Offering an alternative to mainstream tourism, Fernwayer fosters meaningful interactions through immersive cultural engagements. Inspired by the German word 'fernweh' (an aching for distant, unfamiliar places), Fernwayer is dedicated to designing transformative journeys that benefit both visitors and the communities they encounter. Founded by entrepreneurs committed to redefining travel, Fernwayer champions experiences that are deeply personal, culturally rich, and lasting. Angelo Zinna Fernwayer +1 (415) 275-1567 email us here Visit us on social media: LinkedIn Instagram Legal Disclaimer: EIN Presswire provides this news content 'as is' without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
Washington Post
05-06-2025
- Business
- Washington Post
Google partners with Chile to deploy a trans-Pacific submarine cable
SANTIAGO, Chile — Google signed an agreement with Chile on Wednesday to deploy an undersea fiber optic cable connecting South America with Asia and Oceania, a first-of-its-kind project that aims to cement the South American country's status as a major digital hub. The Humboldt Cable, envisioned for deployment in 2027, is a 14,800-kilometer (9,200-mile) submarine data cable that will connect Chile's coastal city of Valparaíso with Sydney, Australia through French Polynesia. The initiative is being launched almost a decade after it was first proposed in 2016, and six years after the initial studies to determine its feasibility. 'This is the first submarine cable in the South Pacific, so it's an important commitment', Chilean Transport Minister Juan Carlos Muñoz told journalists. Chile, home to one of Google's largest data centers in Latin America, is currently connected to the United States and the rest of the region via an undersea cable. This cable also provides Chile with a longer route to other continents. Officials from both Google and the Chilean government hailed the project as critical infrastructure with potential to attract millions of dollars in investment from major tech companies, mining and banking firms in Chile and Australia. 'The idea of building this cable is that it can also be used not only by Google but also by other users, such as technology companies operating in Chile,' said Cristian Ramos, director of telecommunications infrastructure for Latin America at Alphabet, Google's parent company. Although Google did not disclose its total investment, Patricio Rey, general manager of local partner Desarrollo País, a state-owned infrastructure company, estimated the cable project's value at $300 million to $550 million, with Chile contributing $25 million. The Humboldt Cable will establish Chile as a data gateway for the Asia-Pacific, while strengthening its relations with Asian nations, especially China, its largest trading partner. It also comes as demand for undersea cables surges due to increased reliance on cloud computing services. The next stages involve installing the submarine cable, selecting and contracting a telecommunications operator, and constructing landing stations in Chile. The initiative could heighten tensions as Chile finds itself caught in the middle of an intensifying rivalry between China and the Trump administration. Undersea cables have long been flash points in geopolitical disputes . ____ Follow AP's coverage of Latin America and the Caribbean at
