Good luck man, I assume you speak spanish too. You are right on many things, its who you know within the airline that gets you the job. I have many pilot friends and if you are latino , you will get along very well, good jokes, friendships and chat.
Taca doesnt recruit foreigners, since they dont have the need, your newhire group is indeed very small. Most pilots including captains are young so there is not need in hiring. You also need to be from E.S.
I am waiting for chance in the Taca regional, possibly gettting the call within days, good luck to you, review stuff ( Jeppessen is one of them).
Enrique