Living in Peru : your everyday companion

(LIP-jl) -- The ground has been rumbling as of late in Peru's southern regions. Just last week, the Ubinas Volcano experienced an increase in seismic activity and loud explosions sent area residents into panic. Yesterday morning, two moderate earthquakes rocked the department of Arequipa. According to Peru's Geophysical Institute, the first quake, which occurred at 9:09 a.m., was registered at 4.7 on the Richter Scale, and just 38 minutes later, the second was registered at 4.3 on the Richter Scale. According to authorities, rock slides have blocked portions of the Pan-American Highway and 3 men were injured as they attempted to evacuate their homes in the districts of Uchumayo, Paucarpata and Alto Selva Alegre.



(LIP-jl) -- 15 members of the Jesus Christ of Later Day Saints Church were injured as the bus they were traveling on rolled over just outside of Lima in the area of Chosica. According to a report on Peru's RPP Radio, 40 members from the religious organization were on their way to the Limean district of San Juan de Lurigancho. Authorities reported the accident occurred at the 27.8 kilometer marker of the Central Highway. Officials released the following names of those injured in the accident: Jacqueline Bermúdez (18), Yuri Briggitte Ortiz Curo (13), Virgilio Figueroa (12), Karem Cusquillo Llovera (11), Loida Cotrina Cerna (16), Liz Bernal Caballero (14), Bárbara Villarrubia Juárez (11), Angie Rosales Soto (16), Lisa Ramírez Gonzales (14), Deysi Calisto Pacheco (13), Juan Flores Rivas (14), and María Suárez Bazán (43).



(LIP-jl) -- Peru's Association of Exporters (ADEX in Spanish) informed that artichoke export figures from the first two months of 2007 increased by 16% over the same period in 2006. According to ADEX, the total value of Peruvian artichokes exports in January and February reached a combined US$8.4 million. The United States continues to be Peru's primary artichoke importer (US$3.4 million), while Spain came in at second with US$1.9 million. Other countries which import Peruvian artichokes include France, Germany, Canada, and Australia.




(LIP-jl) -- From the clay courts of Asia Beach (92 kilometers south of Lima) Peru has taken a 2-0 Davis Cup lead behind the strong efforts of national tennis sensations Luis Horna and Ivan Miranda. Luis Horna, Peru's highest ranked tennis player (74 ATP), struggled a bit with Mexican Daniel Garza but recovered nicely to win 6-4, 7-6 (8), 2-6 and 6-3 in 3 hours and 10 minutes. Meanwhile his compatriot Miranda, who had his match with Santiago Gonzalez postponed yesterday due to darkening conditions (Davis Cup rules do not allow matches to be played under artificial light) won his match by edging Gonzalez 6-4, 3-6, 6-1, 5-7 and 8-6 in a suspenseful encounter.


(LIP-jl) -- 61 year old businessman José Guillermo Li Chao was quietly spending the holiday evening with his family in his hacienda located in Chilca, when 8 heavily armed men entered the hacienda and kidnapped Li Chao in front of his family members. The kidnappers then drove Li Chao to his home in the Limean district of Surco. The criminals took money, jewelery, electronic appliances, and other valuables. Li Chao was then forced to drive to the district of Chorrillos were the kidnappers shot him in cold blood. Law enforcement authorities found Li Chao dead in his SUV.  No arrests have been made and authorities have not released any additional information.