This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/americas/8561340.stm

The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Chile's new leader to be sworn in Pinera sworn in as new quake hits
(about 7 hours later)
Chilean tycoon Sebastian Pinera is due to be sworn in as president of the country, which was recently devastated by a massive earthquake and tsunami. Sebastian Pinera has been sworn in as president of Chile, minutes after it was hit by the largest aftershock since last month's devastating earthquake.
Mr Pinera not only faces the challenge of reconstruction, but takes over from a highly popular outgoing leader. The 7.2-magnitude tremor was centred in O'Higgins Region, some 140km (90 miles) south of the city of Valparaiso, where the inauguration ceremony took place.
Michelle Bachelet leaves office with a record 84% popularity rating despite criticism of the government's slow reaction to last month's disaster. Mr Pinera's presidency ends two decades of left-wing rule in Chile.
Meanwhile, Chile's disaster management chief has resigned over the response. The tycoon not only faces the challenge of reconstruction, but takes over from the highly-popular Michelle Bachelet.
Carmen Fernandez is the second Chilean official to leave her post in the aftermath of the 27 February quake and ensuing tsunami that killed close to 500 people. Ms Bachelet left office with an 84% popularity rating despite criticism of her government's response to the 8.8-magnitude earthquake and ensuing tsunami, which left close to 500 people dead.
On Friday, Ms Bachelet dismissed the head of the navy's oceanography service for failing to provide a clear warning of the tsunami. Earlier, Chile's disaster management chief resigned, six days after the head of the navy's oceanography service was dismissed for failing to provide a clear warning of the tsunami.
A BBC correspondent in the capital, Santiago, said buildings shook and people rushed out onto the streets after Thursday's tremor.
However, there have so far been no reports of any damage.
Thousands homelessThousands homeless
The inauguration ceremony in the port city of Valparaiso is set to be an austere affair. The planned dinner has been cancelled and the whole event scaled back out of respect for victims of the quake. The inauguration ceremony in the port city of Valparaiso, which houses the National Congress, was intended to be an austere affair. The planned dinner was cancelled and the whole event scaled back out of respect for victims of the quake.
Ms Bachelet, Chile's first woman president, was constitutionally barred from seeking re-election.Ms Bachelet, Chile's first woman president, was constitutionally barred from seeking re-election.
She will hand the red, white and blue presidential sash to Mr Pinera, whose presidential win ended 20 years of centre-left rule in Chile. She handed the red, white and blue presidential sash to Mr Pinera, whose election win ended 20 years of centre-left rule in Chile.
"I'm leaving office with sadness for the suffering of our people, but also with my head held high, satisfied with what we have accomplished," she said in her farewell address.
Seldom can an incoming president have faced such a massive and immediate challenge, says the BBC's Gideon Long in Santiago.Seldom can an incoming president have faced such a massive and immediate challenge, says the BBC's Gideon Long in Santiago.
Thousands of people have been made homeless by the quake, and around half a million homes destroyed.Thousands of people have been made homeless by the quake, and around half a million homes destroyed.
"We won't be the government of the earthquake, we'll be the government of reconstruction," the 60-year-old billionaire said recently."We won't be the government of the earthquake, we'll be the government of reconstruction," the 60-year-old billionaire said recently.
Last month, the conservative leader named his cabinet, leaving out any figures linked with the former military ruler, Augusto Pinochet.Last month, the conservative leader named his cabinet, leaving out any figures linked with the former military ruler, Augusto Pinochet.
In his election campaign, Mr Pinera said he would focus on boosting economic growth and producing jobs while continuing with the outgoing president's social policies.In his election campaign, Mr Pinera said he would focus on boosting economic growth and producing jobs while continuing with the outgoing president's social policies.
Mr Pinera is one of the country's richest men. He made his fortune introducing credit cards to Chile, then went on to buy a television channel, a stake in Chile's most successful football club, and put millions of dollars into other investments.Mr Pinera is one of the country's richest men. He made his fortune introducing credit cards to Chile, then went on to buy a television channel, a stake in Chile's most successful football club, and put millions of dollars into other investments.
Are you in Chile? What do you think are the challenges facing Mr Pinera? What should his priorities be? Were you affected by Thursday's aftershock? Send us your comments using the form below.
The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions