The Chilean town of Chaiten, a popular home base for those exploring the beauty of Chilean Patagonia, was partly destroyed by a volcanic eruption last year and all inhabitants were evacuated. After months of waiting, the Chilean government has spoken: the town will be abandoned and relocated as the risk of continuing volcanic eruptions is too great. The location where the city will be re-established is yet to be determined.

A ruthless gang of thieves is working out of the Mexico City airport, according to authorities. When travelers (mostly foreigners) change large sums of cash at the exchange counter, gang members inside send word to their fellow thugs outside, who then follow and rob the victim. The most recent victim was a 55 year old Frenchman, who had exchanged almost 5,000 Euros (over $6,000) into local currency. After the man got into a car, two gang cars chased it down, made it pull over, and robbed him. He was shot in the head when he refused to hand over the money and is in serious condition in the hospital. Do not change large sums of money at the airport in Mexico City and be aware of this vicious criminal gang. Hopefully, Mexican authorities will soon put a stop to these thieves.

The Chilean government’s decision did not come on January 16, as it had previously announced it would. Despite pressures from Chaitén mayor Pedro Vásquez, the national agencies say they are yet waiting further studies before making the final verdict on the future of this city destroyed by the eruption of Volcán Chaitén in May 2008.

This past Friday, however, the Servicio de Geología y Minería (Sernageomín) issued a warning about staying overnight in the village. In the previous 72 hours the volcano had exhibited renewed activity, with tremors and explosions. Two domes of lava are growing withing the crater. The fastest growing one faces the Río Blanco and the village of Chaitén. Spikes of lava rock as well are forming within the volcano, some taller than the base of the mount itself.

The future of the port remains secure for the interim. The head of Obras Públicas, Eduardo Vicencio, said the present drifting of ash sediment towards the wharf is not presently causing dangers to ships arriving at Chaitén. The situation, he stated, shall continue to be monitored.

In the jungle Chaco region of Bolivia’s Tarija Province, more than 100 cases of illness resembling dengue fever have been reported in recent weeks. It’s particularly troubling, because “dengue season” usually doesn’t start until January when the region gets more rain. Dengue is a blood disease spread by mosquitoes. Travleers visiting southern Bolivia, especially Tarija province, should sleep with mosquito netting and use insect repellant.

The tallest point on the Island nation of Antigua will soon have a new name: Mount Obama. For years, Boggy Peak (1,300 feet/396 meters) has attracted hikers and been and integral part of the landscape.  Boggy Peak’s new name will become official on August 4, President Obama’s birthday. Antigua is a tiny Caribbean nation, the population of which is over 90% black. Must say, “Mount Obama” sounds much more stately than “Boggy Peak.”

On January 14 the Parranda, a luxury-class Galapagos Islands cruise ship operated by Quasar Nautica, caught fire, burned and sank near Bartolome Island. All 15 passengers and crew were rescued safely by the Coral 1 and the Darwin, two tourism boats that were nearby at the time. A team of park rangers has been sent to the site to investigate possible environmental damage. Early accounts indicate that the Parranda is not salvageable.

In a typical year, about 600 people climb Argentina’s Mt. Aconcagua, the highest mountain in the Americas. Of those, an average of two to three die trying to reach the summit. This climbing season (it’s summer in Argentina, remember) has been particularly perilous, as the mountain claimed its fifth victim, an American who was injured by falling rocks. He later died while en route to medical care. The others include an Italiam woman and her Argentine guide (killed during a fierce blizzard), an Englishman (heart attack mere steps from the summit) and a German climber who fell into a crevasse. It may still get worse: rangers are still searching for a French climber who has been missing for two weeks.

Scientists at the Chartles Darwin Research Station in Galapagos are delighted: a new iguana species has been confirmed! The iguana, a stately pink color with black spots and stripes, was first seen in 1986 but for a long time was assumed to be a subspecies of the Land Iguanas common on several islands. A recent report by researchers at Tor Vergara University in Rome, however, proves that the pink iguanas are a new species, and likely diverged from other iguanas some five million years ago. The population of pink iguanas is small and limited to the slopes of Wolf Volcano on Isabela Island, so conservation efforts are expected to begin soon. Wolf Volcano is not generally visited by anyone except scientists and  park staff, so tourists won’t get  a chance to see them for the time being.  Almost 200 years after Darwin’s famous visit, the Islands still have some surprises!

As we reported earlier on this blog, transportation down the Carretera Austral remained difficult because of the eruption of Volcán Chaitén. The volcano continues to be active. The city of Chaitén remains in the red-zone and access is restricted only to day trippers and ferry travelers.

V!va Travel Guides made it to Chaitén. Writer Lorraine Caputo checked out what services are available for those who are arriving or departing by ferry from that port town. For a complete run-down, check: http://www.vivatravelguides.com/south-america/chile/carratera-austral-and-southern/chaiten.

The ultimate fate of Chaitén is to be decided January 16, 2009. It is believed it will continue to serve as the port for the region. Preliminary news reports indicate the government will buy out all the residents and close the city permanently. The new home for the provincial capital may be Futaleufú. The government, however, may be in for quite a fight. Returned residents stated that they intend to stay no matter what and rebuild the city.

An earthquake that measured 6.1 on the Richter Scale shook parts of Costa Rica last week, including the capital city of San Jose. Hardest hit were some mountain villages near Poas Volcano, and at least 18 were killed, mostly by mudslides. Some tourists were cut off when a road was destroyed. San Jose suffered minor damage but no major injuries or destruction was reported. For now, the quake probably shouldn’t inconvenience visitors very much, but check the news because earthquakes occasionally come in groups.