In an attempt to address growing concerns about security in the wholesale markets of La Vega and Lo Valledor, representatives of both markets met at the Palacio de La Moneda with Undersecretaries Manuel Monsalve, of the Interior, and Eduardo Vergara, of Crime Prevention.
The meeting was called after new regulations were implemented in Lo Valledor that required the presentation of a Chilean identity card to enter, a measure that is being considered in La Vega but does not have the support of the Government.
However, the meeting was overshadowed by an incident that occurred in the Pedro Aguirre Cerda market, where a 54-year-old woman opened fire, wounding three people. President Boric said that it was a case “of a very violent nature” and that it is “absolutely unacceptable,” so “we cannot lower the profile of what happened.”
After intense negotiations, four key points were agreed:
- Specification of identity documents: it will be determined which documents will be valid for Chileans and foreigners, accompanied by training for staff in both markets.
- Registration of foreigners: progress will be made in the registration of foreigners who work in Lo Valledor and wish to regularize their immigration status.
- Surveillance system: security cameras from both markets will be integrated into a government monitoring system, in order to improve security.
- Installation of metal detectors: the framework of the Private Security Law will be followed for the installation of metal detectors in the markets.
“It seems to us that the control of entry to private premises, vehicle control and also identity control is a right that is regulated today in Chilean society, which is the right of admission (…). In this context, we have agreed to be able to specify in joint work what a valid identity document for the Chilean State entails, both for Chileans and foreigners. So identity control can be done around documents valid for the Chilean State. And of course, the National Immigration Service has been involved in that and we have agreed to be able to train work teams in order to be able to specify what a valid document entails so that identity control can be carried out to guarantee security, but also with strict adherence to the law,” explained Undersecretary Monsalve, who also said that it is necessary to advance in biometric registration.
“Reunited with Lo Valledor and La Vega. We evaluate implemented actions and define new ones regarding controls, inclusion in the piloting of the Integrated Telesurveillance and Artificial Intelligence System and in the context of the new private security law, including new technologies,” commented Undersecretary Vergara.
Marcelo Araya, spokesperson for Lo Valledor, for his part, ruled out any connection between foreigners and crimes, emphasizing that “unfortunately” what happened during the morning was an event carried out by a woman of Chilean nationality.
All these measures will be subject to monitoring and evaluation that will be carried out before May 15, date on which the parties will meet again to review the progress made and discuss possible additional adjustments.
The meeting in La Moneda, in which Carabineros authorities were also present, was announced last week, following Lo Valledor’s decision, as a security measure, to require an identity card from anyone who wants to enter. In La Vega, implementing a similar restriction is being analyzed from January 1, 2025.