Page Seven / La Paz
The Government reported that reports were received that several Bolivian transporters presented falsified PCR tests, for which the Chilean authorities do not allow them to cross the border at Tambo Quemado-Chungará. As the conflict continues on a Christmas Eve, about 500 trucks remain stranded at the scene.
Since last Friday, Chilean authorities have not given way to Bolivian trucks because with nasal antigen tests they detected hundreds of positive cases of Bolivian drivers with Covid-19.
The Vice Minister of Foreign Trade and Integration, Benjamín Blanco, reported that the passage is being regularized, but indicated that the Chilean authorities presented several falsified PCR certificates.
“It was unfortunate. On the Chilean side, they have presented several falsifications of PCR tests, obviously that has generated distrust and is one of the reasons why, in addition to requesting a PCR test document, they take the nasal swab test, that lasts 15 minutes and in that rapid test 39% of carriers tested positive, “Blanco said in statements to television media.
He added that PCR tests are more reliable, but there is mistrust on the Chilean side, that is why it was agreed with his authorities that the Ministry of Health will validate the tests that have been carried out in the last hours, before those of nasal antigen and thus avoid new problems.
“What they have asked us for is guarantees with the PCRs that are presented, which are endorsed by the Ministry of Health, due to the susceptibility of the large number of falsified PCR certificates that have been detected,” said Blanco.
The authority assured that, little by little, it is decongesting and yesterday 20 trucks per hour were entering the premises in Chile. It is expected that in about three days the flow can be regularized and return to normal as the tests that give positive decrease.
He assured that a commission of the Ministry of Health has already arrived at the border to take PCR tests and renew the certificates that the carriers had and that expire after 72 hours.
From Tambo Quemado, Leonardo Quispe, a carrier queuing to enter the Chilean compound, reported that the problem persists and yesterday afternoon the checkpoint was closed and about 500 trucks remained in the line.
“The line continues, 30 trucks have entered for the nasal antigen test and all 30 have tested positive and have closed the passage again,” he said.
Yesterday morning, when Quispe made contact with this medium, he was about two kilometers from Tambo Quemado and behind him there was a line of more than 250 trucks for three kilometers.
But further ahead, towards the milestone on the Chilean border, at least 150 trucks are paralyzed. Quispe asked the Bolivian authorities to find a solution with the Chilean Foreign Ministry.
Virus conflict
Congestion • Since last Friday, the border crossing with Chile has been congested because a large number of Bolivian carriers tested positive for nasal antigen taken by Chilean authorities to authorize their entry into that country.
Damage • Trucks carry export cargo that is delayed to reach the ships and can face fines and even breach of contracts with customers.
Drama• Low temperatures hit the carriers who have been at the border for several days and their travel expenses are running out and they fear that they will not be able to return to spend the Christmas party with the family.
