Argentina-Chile border passes closed for nearly a month due to extreme snow

Major international border crossings between Argentina and Chile, including the Cristo Redentor and Los Libertadores passes, have been closed for nearly a month due to extreme weather and heavy snowfall. The prolonged closure has left approximately 3,000 trucks stranded at the border, causing significant economic and logistical disruptions.

In Argentina, the closure of the Cristo Redentor pass has resulted in massive queues, with some estimates suggesting losses of roughly $600 per truck per day. Transport associations have criticized the maintenance of road infrastructure and the slow response of authorities. Meanwhile, in Chile, the disruption is threatening the supply of imported goods, particularly meat, which could lead to price increases ahead of national holidays.

To mitigate shortages, Chilean importers are utilizing alternative routes such as the Pino Hachado and Jama passes, as well as maritime transport, though these options involve higher costs and longer transit times. While some movement has been reported at the Pino Hachado crossing, authorities warn that extreme winds and continued precipitation make a full reopening of the main corridors uncertain.