Arica y Parinacota faces border security crisis and trade disputes

The Governor of Arica y Parinacota, Diego Paco Mamani, will present a report to the Chilean Senate's Mixed Commission on Security and Extreme Zones regarding border security and regional development. Key issues include rising vehicle theft, narcotics, smuggling, and irregular migration. Mamani noted that in 2025, the region recorded 1,192 reported vehicle thefts, totaling approximately 6 billion pesos in losses.

Simultaneously, the Federation of Private Business Entities of Cochabamba (FEPC) has called on the Bolivian government to intervene regarding the incineration of Bolivian timber shipments detained in Chile. The FEPC claims the destruction of these goods, currently under investigation in Arica y Parinacota, violates due process and prevents technical expert assessments. The business group warned that this action causes significant economic losses for the forestry sector and could damage commercial relations.