Heavy Snowstorm Closes Argentina's High‑Altitude Passes, Strands Hundreds of Trucks

Intense snowfalls have blanketed Argentina's high‑mountain region, with accumulations exceeding 2 metres in places such as Los Puquios and the Cristo Redentor pass. The snowstorm forced the closure of the international Cristo Redentor and Pino Hachado border crossings, halting all traffic on Route 242 and cutting off the Chilean San Francisco crossing. Approximately 1 380 trucks remain stranded, of which 600 have been housed in three staging areas at Uspallata and another 800 are parked in the eastern part of Mendoza. The Argentine border coordination delivered 600 rations to drivers while the situation remains under a yellow weather alert.

Rescue operations have evacuated 92 people isolated in the corridor and rescued five miners trapped near Catamarca’s Salar del Hombre Muerto, where temperatures fell to –27 °C. The storm has also impacted tourism; ski‑related businesses report higher equipment rental costs and limited access to resorts such as Los Puquios and Penitentes. Authorities anticipate a possible reopening window later this week, but a new frontal system may keep the passes closed into early August.