With two weeks until the presidential runoff, José Antonio Kast hardens his stance against irregular migration and sends Rodolfo Carter to Arica to oversee the northern border, following Peru's closure. Jeannette Jara criticizes the government's delayed response and proposes modernizing border controls. The executive prepares a binational committee to coordinate with Peru and manage stranded migrants.
Migration pressure on Chile's northern border arose after Peru's government closed its frontier, generating movement of people according to José Antonio Kast's (Partido Republicano) team. A month ago, during the first electoral round, Kast urged irregular foreigners to return to their countries, a proposal criticized by Evelyn Matthei's team. The candidate attributes the current flow to his clear message: "lo que hemos señalado… ha generado un movimiento de personas que van saliendo del país". Unlike Jeannette Jara, Kast will not regularize irregular migration and gives 102 days for these individuals to leave Chile with their belongings, or face immediate expulsion upon assuming office.
To reinforce his position, Kast instructed senator-elect Rodolfo Carter to travel to Arica: "Hoy día tenía que estar allá (en La Araucanía), pero me voy dentro de pocas horas a Arica por el tema de migraciones". Previously, Kast presented a three-phase plan with retired general Cristián Vial, including reinforcing the maritime border, updating migration policy, and demanding Bolivia improve border control. Senator José Durana (UDI) criticized the Foreign Ministry for lacking bilateral agreements.
Jeannette Jara (Partido Comunista) questioned the government's management from Viña del Mar: "Entiendo que los gobiernos se van a reunir el lunes, pero me habría gustado que esto hubiera ocurrido la semana pasada. En estas materias los días son importantes". She proposes modernizing the Chacalluta complex with biometric technology, sensors, and drones, a specialized police force, and Armed Forces support, along with active diplomacy.
Interior Undersecretary Víctor Ramos, with Governor Diego Paco (RN) and Rafael Collado, met in Arica with security forces. They downplay a humanitarian crisis, with only 14 people initially affected, mainly Venezuelans, Ecuadorians, and Colombians. They prepare a binational committee on Monday to discuss migrant characterization, reconduction, police information exchange, and security protocols.
