MENDOZA.- MENDOZA.- It is a repeated story, which worsens in the middle of the season. For this reason, like every year and for decades, the same scene repeats itself: Hundreds of Argentine vehicles wait to cross into Chile. Thus, with the growing post-pandemic interest in returning to the Pacific beaches, the people of Mendoza, mainly, are preparing to vacation on the other side of the Cordillera, and wait up to eight hours, in long lines of cars and buses. What’s more, in recent days, the demand is greater, since they seek to reach their destination before the end of the year, so a busy weekend is expected. In this way, customs procedures in the Los Libertadores complex They are today the main obstacle to quickly enter Chile.
“The movement continues to grow, with very long waits of up to 8 hours to enter Chile. The previous days were between 4 and 5 hours. For this reason, we ask the population to schedule their trip and consider waiting times. On average, they are already crossing more than 5,000 Argentines per day”, they indicated to THE NATION from the National Gendarmerie. In this sense, the recommendations of the authorities is not to travel during peak hours and to do so in the evening, when immigration control periods are reduced.
Thus, on the eve of the weekend, the congestion is growing, and more and more travelers are warning regarding delays. In fact, on social networks, several Internet users made their situation known, tired of having to wait to pass Chilean customs, at the Los Libertadores Complex. In this sense, they left on the table the repeated criticisms regarding the “little will” of both governments to optimize the crossing, appealing to technology, although they recognize that there are families that have problems with the papers or try to get by with products that are not allowed. Meanwhile, when entering Argentina, in Horcones, the picture is different, with little waiting.
Among those who complained regarding the delays in crossing the Cordillera in recent days was the former vice president and current national deputy, Julio Cobos. “After 4 years, due to conflicts in Chile and then a pandemic, I traveled to the neighboring country once more. Beautiful customs complex, but out of 18 booths, only 5 were enabled for immigration and customs procedures. More than 5 hours of delay, despite the low traffic flow”, commented the former governor of Mendoza. “Terrible attention from Chilean customs personnel, in the face of the fair claim of hundreds of families; a real shame and a call to attention to the competent authorities, such as the Argentine ambassador in Chile, Rafael Bielsa. The high season begins, if they do not plan to improve logistics, at least they will have to plan to implement solutions for people who tirelessly wait for their vehicles without bathrooms or any other comfort. I ask the Chilean authorities to act to improve this,” said Cobos, who traveled to Chile during the Christmas festivities, and returned to the province in the last few hours.
“We returned to Mendoza, without delays in Horcones and with excellent attention from the staff. The problems in the toilets persist, the complex has insufficient toilets and today only half are enabled. Faced with the increase in vehicle flow, it is urgent to solve this, ”he insisted.
Since the beginning of the week, an upward flow of private cars and buses to Chile began to be evident. For example, last Tuesday more than 4,000 Argentine citizens left, while only 1,900 entered the country. Already on Wednesday, the crossing of travelers exceeded 4,500, while yesterday the figure was close to 6,000 people, in more than 1300 cars. Meanwhile, today the demand was growing, so the waiting time was exacerbated, even exceeding 8 hours. The authorities consider that this scenario will continue until tomorrow followingnoon, when a decrease in movement will begin to be noticed.
“It is incredible that they do not have a system with facial recognition, fingerprints, code scanners on ID cards. There are a thousand ways to make customs more efficient,” complained the users of the international corridor, who are demanding more staff at the service booths. as far as he might tell THE NATIONin the coming days, especially on weekends, in the middle of the summer season, Service posts will be doubled, in order to expedite the high demand of tourists.
“It is incredible that they do not have a system with facial recognition, fingerprints, code scanners on ID cards. There are a thousand ways to make customs more efficient,” complained the users of the international corridor, who are demanding more staff at the service booths. As this medium was able to learn, in the coming days, especially on weekends, in the middle of the summer season, the service posts will double, in order to expedite the high demand of tourists.
According to information from the Cristo Redentor Integrated System, the pass will continue to be enabled 24 hours a day for the transport of cargo, buses and individuals.
in dialogue with THE NATION, the Migration delegate, Juan Manuel Serrano, referred to the delays in the customs complex and stated that requests are being made to the Chilean authorities to optimize care. At the same time, he asked those who travel to have the relevant documentation on hand and avoid entering with food and items that are prohibited.
“This is discussed frequently in the coordination meetings that are periodic. In recent months we have had several binational meetings to anticipate these situations, especially since we are coming out of a pandemic, with a lot of movement. It was agreed, in view of the accumulation of people and vehicles, that each country apply procedures so that transit and procedures are as expeditious as possible. But, we do not have direct interference in how the Chilean organizations that are responsible for entering that country implement it,” said Serrano, who anticipates that the return of Argentines will begin to be felt from January 1 and throughout the fortnight. on different days and times, so it ensures that care in Horcones will not suffer inconveniences.
Regarding the requirements to enter Chile, as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, the authorities made it clear that there is a marked flexibility, without the need to undergo PCR tests. In any case, it must be borne in mind that the only thing they require is the vaccination card once morest Covid-19, with the complete scheme.
