• Chilean President José Antonio Kast has begun work on a border barrier within days of taking office.
• The barrier, termed the "Border Shield," aims to prevent illegal immigration and drug trafficking.
• Construction has started with a trench in the Atacama desert along the Chile-Peru border.
• Kast's policies reflect those of former President Trump, emphasizing strict immigration control.
• The move comes amid rising concerns over crime and immigration in Chile.

Chilean President José Antonio Kast wasted no time after his inauguration, overseeing the initiation of construction for a border barrier just five days into his presidency. This move is part of his main campaign promise to curb illegal immigration, particularly from Peru, where many have crossed the border into Chile. The barrier, referred to as the “Border Shield,” will primarily consist of trenches and fences and will be monitored by drones and military personnel, with Kast asserting it as a significant milestone for the nation, stating, “We want to implement this without any delay,” according to South China Morning Post and BBC.

As construction commenced in the arid Atacama Desert, a single bulldozer was seen creating the initial trench, a modest beginning amid promises of more significant measures to come. Kast's administration confirms plans for further developments along the 180km border with Peru and an additional 900km with Bolivia, although the barrier will only partially cover these distances. Kast has characterized the situation in Chile as a response to being “violated by illegal immigration, drug trafficking, and organized crime,” drawing a stark narrative paralleling the anti-immigration stance of former U.S. President Trump, according to Los Angeles Times.

The surge in Chile's foreign population has raised tension among locals. Estimates suggest that the foreign resident count has increased sharply, with approximately 336,000 undocumented migrants currently in the country, primarily from Venezuela. This rise has sparked fears among Chileans, leading many to associate increased crime rates with immigration. Although Chile remains one of the safest countries in South America, incidents like carjackings and kidnappings are becoming more common, intensifying public anxiety over border security, according to South China Morning Post, BBC, and Los Angeles Times.