Chile: truck drivers continue blockades despite state of emergency and militarization of border areas

Independent truckers continued this Sunday for the third consecutive day blockades on routes to the north and south of chili in protest at the death of a colleague on Thursday, despite an agreement reached with the government of Sebastián Piñera that involves the militarization of border areas.

In addition, the airline Latam, the main national airline, announced that the suspension of several flights is maintained as a result of the cuts in access to the airports in the north of chiliSpecially in Iquiquea port about 1,800 km from Santiago.

LOOK: Chile decrees a state of exception in regions in migration crisis and truck drivers lift blockades

“The blockade is not over. Until the leaders tell us, it stays “drivers said about their trucks blocking the main road in Iquiquein scenes that are repeated in various sections up to near Santiago and to the south of the country.

The government reached an agreement on Saturday with 17 truckers’ associations to guarantee greater security on the route, especially in the north, where They denounce that assaults and attacks have increased in the midst of a complex immigration situation.

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The agreement involves a “Exception status” starting this monday for deploy military and assistance in teams in border areas of four provinces of the regions of Antofagasta and Arica.

After this agreement, the truckers announced the end of the blockades that began with calls against irregular migration.

Since the end of 2020 they have entered chili through clandestine steps in the north of the country thousands of migrantsmostly from Venezuelawho have installed themselves in tents or in squares or walk adrift asking for help.

It was on a route that connects these areas with the mining city of Antofagasta where on thursday A young Chilean truck driver died after an alleged confrontation with foreigners who threw stones at the trucks to make them take them.

The police arrested three Venezuelans after the incident.

This new incident has increased the tension that has been in place for months in the large cities of northern Chile, also bordering Peru, which have suffered from public security problems and the deterioration of their public spaces since the uncontrolled arrival of undocumented migrants.

At least 20 migrants have died in the clandestine steps at more than 4,000 meters of altitude and extreme temperatures when they cross at night.

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Source: Elcomercio

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