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Chile’s Kast Puts Regional Trade First as He Moves Ahead With Northern Border ‘Shield’

He says Peru’s election should deliver stability that underpins confidence and commerce.

Overview

  • Kast told La Tercera his government will safeguard commercial ties with Argentina, Bolivia, Peru and Ecuador, describing neighbors as partners rather than competitors.
  • He reiterated that Chile’s institutional rules guide his approach and said clear investing norms are a priority alongside national security.
  • The administration’s ‘escudo fronterizo’ envisions physical barriers on the northern frontier, with the Army starting three‑meter‑deep trench work near the Tacna sector.
  • Initial construction is planned from Hito 1 to Hito 15, covering roughly 30 kilometers, while mined stretches in the Andes from Hito 16 to Hito 26 limit operations.
  • Specialists warn the tighter controls could create a rebound effect that concentrates migrants at Peruvian border points such as La Concordia, straining local capacity.