In a humanitarian gesture, Chile, led by President Gabriel Boric, offered citizenship to hundreds of Nicaraguans stripped of their nationality by the Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo regime in February 2023. This move, mirroring a similar offer from Spain, aims to provide international protection to those rendered stateless for political reasons.
Chile's Central Bank, the Banco Central de Chile, unanimously voted to keep its benchmark interest rate at 4.5% on January 27, 2026. The decision reflects expectations of lower short-term inflation and a stabilizing global economic outlook, despite some domestic economic challenges.
Telefónica Chile is evaluating the sale of its 40% stake in the fiber network joint venture ON Net Fibra to Inversiones Telefónica Internacional Holding, an intra-group company. The move aims to reduce debt and strengthen the company's financial position amidst a broader strategy to optimize assets and potentially exit some Latin American markets.
A strike at Capstone Copper's Mantoverde mine in Chile, initiated on January 2, 2026, has escalated with Union #2 members gaining control of the desalination facility on January 18. This action has disrupted the mine's water supply, leading to a halt in sulphide operations and threatening oxide production, impacting global copper supply. Capstone Copper is seeking judicial intervention to regain access.
Chilean President Gabriel Boric declared a state of catastrophe in the Ñuble and Biobío regions in February 2023 due to severe forest fires. The blazes resulted in 26 fatalities, destroyed over 2,400 homes, and forced the evacuation of at least 30,000 people, scorching nearly 441,000 hectares.
Chile experienced a series of light to moderate earthquakes on January 17 and 18, 2026, with the strongest reaching magnitude 4.1 near Diego de Almagro. The National Seismological Center monitored the seismic activity across various regions, including Atacama and Antofagasta. No significant damage or injuries have been reported.
A magnitude 5.3 earthquake occurred in northern Chile's Tarapacá region on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, with its epicenter southwest of Mina Collahuasi. The deep tremor, at approximately 118-120 km, was felt but is not expected to cause significant damage or a tsunami.
Chile concluded December with a substantial trade surplus of $3.594 billion, a significant increase from the previous month. This surge was primarily fueled by record copper export revenues, which reached $5.830 billion, underscoring the vital role of the mining sector in the nation's economy. Total exports for the month climbed to $11.286 billion.
The U.S. Embassy in Santiago has issued a weather alert on January 2, 2026, warning U.S. citizens in Chile about the peak fire season, which runs from December through March. The alert emphasizes the dangers of fast-moving wildfires and advises citizens on safety measures and monitoring local conditions.
Chile has unveiled a comprehensive National Lithium Strategy, emphasizing state participation and public-private partnerships to boost production and ensure sustainable development. A key element is the approved SQM-Codelco joint venture in the Salar de Atacama, aiming to significantly increase lithium output with state majority control.
Independent Senator Karim Bianchi has introduced a bill in the Chilean Congress to penalize advertising for unlicensed offshore betting sites. The move comes just days before the country's presidential runoff election, aiming to address the proliferation of unregulated online gambling and enhance consumer protection amidst ongoing legislative efforts.
Deportes Concepción achieved a historic promotion to Chile's Primera División after 17 years, defeating Cobreloa 3-2 in a thrilling Liguilla de Ascenso final. Nelson Sepúlveda's injury-time goal sealed the 4-3 aggregate victory in Calama, marking a significant milestone for 'El León de Collao' after years of institutional challenges.
Renowned astronomers, including Nobel laureate Reinhard Genzel, are calling on the Chilean government to safeguard the pristine dark skies over the Paranal Observatory in the Atacama Desert. A proposed industrial megaproject by AES Andes, located just kilometers from the observatory, threatens to significantly increase light pollution, dust, and vibrations, potentially compromising critical astronomical research.
Siemens Mobility has been awarded a contract by EFE Trenes de Chile to deploy the country's inaugural European Train Control System Level 2 (ETCS L2) on the Tren Alameda-Melipilla and Tren Santiago-Batuco lines. This project marks the first implementation of Siemens' advanced 'Signaling X' platform in Latin America, enhancing safety and operational efficiency across 87 kilometers of railway.
The Chilean Chamber of Deputies is currently reviewing bills to ratify air transport and services agreements with Spain, Greece, and the Netherlands. These agreements, signed between 2021 and 2022, aim to enhance international air connectivity and align with Chile's long-standing open skies policy.
A 6.2 magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Coquimbo, Chile, on September 6, 2023, at 8:48 p.m. local time. The tremor, with an epicenter 41 kilometers south-southwest of Coquimbo and a depth of 41 kilometers, prompted a precautionary evacuation order that was later withdrawn. Chilean authorities confirmed no significant damage or injuries, and the navy ruled out a tsunami threat.
Chile's upcoming presidential election on November 16, 2025, is profoundly shaped by public anxieties over rising crime, the influence of organized gangs, and migration. Leading candidates Jeannette Jara and José Antonio Kast are focusing their campaigns on promises to enhance public security and manage immigration, reflecting a significant national shift towards prioritizing law and order.
Chilean criminal organizations are openly distributing sophisticated counterfeit banknotes, dubbed '5G banknotes,' via social media platforms such as Instagram. These high-quality fakes, featuring pirated security elements, are offered with attractive exchange rates, prompting warnings from law enforcement regarding their detection and the legal ramifications of possession.
Chile's joint special budget committee has largely rejected the government's 2026 budget proposal, with approximately 90% of allocations voted down. The decision, primarily driven by the right-wing opposition, has led to calls for technical discussions and introduces uncertainty ahead of further parliamentary debate.
Chile's state-run mining company ENAMI has received an environmental permit for its new $1.7 billion copper smelter project. This modernization of the Hernan Videla Lira facility in the Atacama region aims to significantly boost copper concentrate processing and cathode production, while adhering to stringent environmental standards.
