Some 2,700 trucks are stranded on the Argentine side at the Cristo Redentor crossing with Chile, due to the new requirements that the trans-Andean authorities implemented in recent days due to the coronavirus pandemic.
In this framework, this Friday the Argentine Foreign Ministryrequested the Chilean authorities to urgently implement the necessary measures for a prompt normalization and streamlining of the movement of people and cargo at the existing border crossings between the two countries.
The order was triggered because of the serious difficulties that affect the normal functioning of the Cristo Redentor System (Mendoza Province), San Sebastián (Tierra del Fuego Province, Argentine Antarctica and South Atlantic Islands) and Austral Integration (Santa Cruz Province) International Crossings.
This afternoon, the Argentine Federation of Freight Transport Entities (Fadeac) I highlight the presentation made by the Foreign Ministry.
The chamber that brings together carriers demands that the measures and mistreatment that drivers are suffering at the border on the Chilean side be modified, for the sanitary measures that have been taken by the authorities of the Los Libertadores Border Crossing.
After the steps taken by #FADEEAC, the @CancilleriaARG asked the Chilean authorities for “urgent measures to normalize international steps with Chile”. A week into the conflict, there are more than 3,000 trucks delayed @APROCAM1 https://t.co/4X43m4vrgS
— FADEEAC (@FADEEACPRENSA) January 21, 2022
Gendarmerie sources They explained that the Cristo Redentor International Passage is enabled from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., with the entrance to the Argentine Republic receptive to tourism by foreigners who meet the sanitary entry requirements.
While, Entry to Chile is only allowed to Chilean citizens and foreigners residing in the trans-Andean country.
At the same time, For international freight transport, the International Passage is enabled, but carriers heading in the Argentina-Chile direction have suspended transit as a claim to the sanitary control measures implemented in Los Libertadores.
“We highlight the importance of addressing this type of conflict jointly with the authorities responsible for international freight transport. It is urgent to find a solution for an issue that causes significant economic and social damage to companies and drivers”, He said Roberto Guarnieri, president of FADEEAC.
Each day a truck is detained at the border represents an extra cost of US$700 per day According to data from the Department of International Transport of the Federation that brings together 43 transport chambers in Argentina, they reported from the entity.
The bottleneck was generated from the cChange in the policy of sanitary control by the Chilean authorities, that led to testing 100% of drivers at the border, although the obligation to submit a PCR remains in force made in origin to be able to enter the neighboring country.
“We emphasize that this situation not only harms Argentine companies and drivers, but also other countries in the region that are part of the ATIT (Application of the International Land Transport Agreement), and that the issue is already being analyzed within the Council. Mercosur International Freight Transport Business”, said Silvia Sudol, head of Fadeeac’s International Transport area.
