Chile appoints four heads of National Defense due to migratory crisis

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The President of the Republic of Chile, Sebastián Piñera, signed Decree 35, which establishes, as of Wednesday, February 16 and for 15 days, a State of Constitutional Emergency Exception in four provinces to face the migratory and security crisis affecting the north of the country.

The measure was adopted to reinforce security measures and land and air surveillance of the routes in northern Chile in response to a strike by truckers who blocked various roads in the country following the murder of a truck driver by three illegal immigrants of Venezuelan origin.

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According to the administrative act, published on February 15 in the Official Gazette, the control of borders in migratory matters and their protection against transnational organized crime dedicated to the smuggling of migrants and human trafficking is a problem related to internal security and national security Defense.

The document indicates that the violation of the border through clandestine entries can be exploited by transnational organized crime engaged in drug trafficking, smuggling of goods, and migrant smuggling, which mainly affects the border sectors of the provinces of Arica, Parinacota, Tamarugal, and El Loa.

The text emphasizes that if the identity of the persons entering illegally is unknown, the police cannot adequately exercise the migratory and public order control that corresponds to them, which seriously affects public order and puts the security of the Nation at risk, which makes necessary extraordinary measures aimed at the protection of persons and their goods.

APPOINTMENTS

Under this decree, the commander of the 1st Armored Coraceros Brigade, Brigadier General Guillermo Altamirano, was appointed head of National Defense in the province of Arica; the commander of the 24th Huamachuco Motorized Brigade, Colonel Gianfranco Cassinelli, was appointed head of National Defense in the province of Parinacota; in the province of Tamaragual, the commander of the 2nd Armored Brigade Cazadores, Brigadier General Marco Jaque; and in the province of El Loa, the commander of the 1st Motorized Brigade Calama, Colonel Paulo Verdejo.

The Chiefs of National Defense assume the command of the Armed Forces and the Armed Forces of Order and Public Security that are in the area declared in a state of emergency, to ensure public order and repair or prevent the damage or danger to national security that has given rise to such state of emergency.

In exercising their powers, they shall observe the administrative powers of the institutional authorities placed under their jurisdiction, especially those of the respective Regional Presidential Delegates.

They may dictate rules to prevent the disclosure of military information; authorize the holding of meetings in public places, when appropriate, ensure that such meetings do not disturb internal order; and control the entry and exit of the area declared in a state of emergency and the traffic therein.

Likewise, they may dictate measures for the protection of works of art and public utility services, mining, industrial, and other centers; give all instructions for maintaining internal order within the zone and any others granted by law in their capacity as such.