Chile and the United States signed a security agreement and a memorandum on critical minerals and rare earths in Santiago on Monday. The ceremony at the Foreign Ministry featured Foreign Minister Francisco Pérez Mackenna and US officials. The deals aim to bolster bilateral cooperation against challenges like organized crime and supply chains.
In a ceremony held on the afternoon of Monday, April 20, at the Foreign Ministry headquarters in Santiago, Chile and the United States signed two bilateral instruments. The first amends the Agreement Letter on narcotics control and law enforcement, strengthening Chile's capacities against transnational organized crime. The US State Department will transfer $1 million for technological and logistical equipment, such as vehicles and computers for the PDI and FDI.
Foreign Minister Francisco Pérez Mackenna emphasized that "today we have subscribed two instruments that, though different in subject, express the same conviction: that deep bilateral cooperation, founded on shared values and mutual benefit, is the way to face the challenges of the 21st Century." Security Minister Trinidad Steinert added that the agreement allows "strengthening State tools to confront complex crimes and transnational phenomena."
The second instrument, a Memorandum of Understanding on critical minerals and rare earths, was signed by Undersecretary of International Economic Relations Paula Estévez; Mining Undersecretary Álvaro González; and US Ambassador to Chile Brandon Judd. Pérez Mackenna described it as a step in Chile's state policy for resilient supply chains and attracting investments. US Under Secretary of State for Arms Control Thomas DiNanno and other Chilean officials also attended.
These agreements build on efforts started under President José Antonio Kast's government, following a joint declaration on March 12, and join similar pacts with partners like Canada and the European Union.
