The United States announced this Friday (20) the application of visa restrictions against three Chilean government officials. The names of those involved were not released by the American government.
According to the State Department, the targets had adopted conduct that harmed regional security in the hemisphere. The decision comes amid the government transition in Chile. The current president, Gabriel Boric, on the left, will leave office on March 11th, when elected president José Antonio Kast, identified with the right and considered ideologically close to the White House, takes over.
In a statement, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Chilean authorities “deliberately directed, authorized, financed, provided significant support and/or carried out activities that compromised critical telecommunications infrastructure and undermined regional security in our hemisphere.”
He added that, in the final moments of its mandate, the Boric government leaves a legacy “even more tarnished by actions that weaken regional security at the expense, ultimately, of the Chilean people.”
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The Chilean Ministry of Foreign Affairs reacted by saying it was surprised by the decision and had not received prior official notification. In a statement, the government rejected the accusations and denied any involvement in initiatives that put the security of the continent or other countries at risk.
Foreign Minister Alberto van Klaveren summoned the United States ambassador in Santiago, Brandon Judd, to provide clarification on the basis of the measure and inform who the affected authorities were.
The Chilean Foreign Ministry also stated that the announcement contradicts diplomatic protocol as it was made without prior notice and assessed that the decision does not match the “density and diversity” of bilateral dialogue and cooperation. The ministry highlighted that the USA is a historical and strategic ally of Chile.
Chile is the only country in South America that is part of the United States’ visa exemption program, which, as a rule, allows its citizens to travel to North American territory without needing a visa.
According to the State Department, the aforementioned people and their immediate family members are generally ineligible to enter the United States. The United States canceled any American visas they had. Rubio further stated that he looks forward to working with the incoming Kast administration on common security priorities in the hemisphere.
