LatinNews Daily - 16 May 2024

*Puerto Coronel, the port company which operates the eponymous port in Coronel municipality, Biobío region, a major port on the Pacific, has been widely cited by the local media as calling on the Chilean government led by President Gabriel Boric to “ensure public order” and “act with decisiveness” with regard to a strike carried out by its workers which has lasted over 50 days over various grievances, including threats to job security. The strike, which began on 26 March, has led to complaints by companies such as fishing firm Camancha, which was cited by local radio Biobío Chile as warning that its losses as a result of disruption exceeded US$800,000. It has also prompted concern from Argentina, with 11 Argentine fruit export companies announcing they would take legal action against the company. In an interview with Biobío Chile on 14 May, Argentina’s ambassador to Chile, Jorge Faurie, said that the Argentine government was “very disappointed” with the failure to resolve the strike which he said involved over “US$3m in losses”, with 120 containers of Argentine fruit currently stranded.