Chile is militarizing its borders with Peru and Bolivia this Monday to control immigration

Chile will begin a military deployment Monday to protect its borders with Peru and Bolivia, officials said, in an effort to curb the entry of migrants through unauthorized crossings.

“Next Monday we are going to tour some of the deployment sites and see how this work of the armed forces will be supported,” Interior Minister Carolina Doha said.

The army’s mission lasted 90 days and established a government mandate, governing the regions of Arica and Barinacota, Tarapaca and Antofagasta.

Military units can carry out identity checks and stop people entering or leaving through unauthorized border crossings and then hand them over to local police.

A legal decree issued by the government argued that there was an increase in the number of migrants in the country, which resulted in a “massive influx of population through unauthorized routes”.

Javier García, mayor of the municipality of Colsen, one of the border points where the operation is being implemented, denounced on local radio that around 400 people enter through unauthorized crossings every day. Chile records an increase in immigrants from neighboring countries, particularly from Venezuela.

The Andean city of Colzane, on the border with Bolivia, is a frequently used crossing point for foreigners to enter Chile, where dozens have died in recent years. Those who manage to reach Chilean cities set up tents or plazas or wander around asking for help.

After these first 90 days are over, the deployment of troops along the border may be maintained, with prior agreement with Congress.

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