© Telam
About 3,000 trucks are stranded at the Cristo Redentor-Libertadores border crossing that connects Mendoza with the Chilean region of Valparaíso. The conflict began more than a week ago, when lThe authorities of the trans-Andean country modified the health control policy. The Argentine Foreign Ministry intervened to request the “prompt normalization and streamlining” of circulation and the Argentine Federation of Freight Transport Entities (Fadeeac) denounced mistreatment of drivers, who decided to block the way as a protest.
Since mid-January, a new health policy has been in force in Chile that led to test 100 percent of the drivers who cross the border, although the obligation to present a PCR made at origin remains in force in order to enter the neighboring country.
But to get the job done only five seats were available, so only Five drivers are tested every half hour. Drivers, in addition, must wait for the result to be able to continue the trip.
To this situation, in addition, was added a measure of force by Chilean customs workers who denounce that there are a large number of personnel with coronavirus in the agency.
“We want a concrete measure that solves not only the delays, but also the treatment they are receiving. the drivers, to those who have locked in tiny rooms without medical attention and for several hours. Until there is a response from the neighboring country, we suggest companies not to send cargo to Chile”, said Daniel Gallart, president of the Mendoza Truck Owners Association (Aprocam).
Economic damage and roadblock
According to Fadeeac, the measure implemented by Chile caused he almost a thousand trucks that crossed the border per day will become just 150. This, added the Federation in a statement, also implies economic damage since each truck stopped at the pass represents a representative an extra cost of US$700 per day.
As a form of protest, the drivers heading from Argentina to Chile They decided to cut off traffic in the opposite direction..
“We made the decision to support the cut and that trucks do not circulate in the Chile-Argentina direction either so that, in some way, Chile feels the disorder and the problem that exists,” Gallart said.
“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),” said Silvia Sudol, head of Fadeeac’s International Transport area, since Brazilian, Paraguayan, Uruguayan and Bolivian carriers also use this route to reach the Pacific ports.
Sudol stressed in this regard that “the issue is already being analyzed in the scope of the International Freight Transport Business Council of Mercosur.”
Requirements
The passage, according to sources from the Gendarmerie, is enabled from 8 to 14, with the entrance to the Argentine Republic receptive to tourism by foreigners who meet the sanitary entry requirements.
Entry to Chile, on the other hand, is only allowed to Chilean citizens and foreigners residing in the trans-Andean country.
From the Argentine side, Chileans are only asked for a negative PCR to enter the country.
The intervention of the Foreign Ministry
This Friday, the portfolio that leads Santiago Cafiero requested the Chilean authorities the urgent implementation of necessary measures for a prompt normalization and streamlining of the movement of people and cargo at the border crossings between the two countries.
The measures also affect the border crossings of San Sebastián in Tierra del Fuego and Austral Integration in the province of Santa Cruz.
“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”, said Roberto Guarnieri, president of Fadeeac.