Chile on Monday began construction of new barriers on the borders with Peru and Bolivia, fulfilling the promise of the new conservative president José Antonio Kast to stop illegal immigration, LETA reported citing AFP.
"Today we begin to stop illegal migration," said Kast as an excavator dug a trench at the Chacalluta border crossing in northern Chile, on the border with Peru.
Kast promised to combat immigration from Peru and Bolivia by creating a 'border shield,' and five days after his inauguration, he traveled to the border town of Arica, located about 2,000 kilometers from Santiago.
The Chilean government has set a 90-day deadline for the construction of these barriers, without specifying what type of infrastructure will be used.
In Arica and other areas near the border with Bolivia, trenches approximately three meters deep are planned to be created.
Interior Minister Claudio Alvarado reported that physical barriers will stretch for about 500 kilometers.
Kast's plan also includes deploying more military personnel at the borders.
The new president promised to take measures to curb the rise in homicides, kidnappings, and extortions, which he blames on illegal immigrants.
According to government estimates, there are 337,000 foreign nationals illegally residing in Chile.
Although the level of violent crime has increased in the country over the past 10 years, Chile remains one of the safest countries in Latin America. In 2025, there were 5.4 homicides per 100,000 residents.
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