Chile Senate Commission seeks border control diagnostic in Magallanes

The Senate Public Security Commission has unanimously agreed to request a comprehensive diagnostic report on border control capabilities in the Magallanes Region. This measure aims to provide a factual basis for resource allocation in the upcoming Budget Law.

The commission will formally request information from the Ministry of Defense, the National Customs Service, the Agricultural and Livestock Service (SAG), and the Directorate General of Maritime Territory and Merchant Marine (Directemar). The report must address current weaknesses, including personnel staffing, technological availability, scanner equipment, and the operational status of both authorized and unauthorized border crossings.

Additionally, the commission will seek information from the Ministry of Transport and Telecommunications regarding connectivity issues on the route between Punta Arenas and Puerto Natales, which impacts both road safety and criminal investigations. Senator Karim Bianchi emphasized the need for an integral approach to security, noting that focusing solely on northern border control may simply shift organized crime threats to the south.