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🇨🇱 Chile /Disasters & Emergencies

Chile-Argentina mountain pass closed for record time amid severe snow

From BioBioChile · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • The main land route between Chile and Argentina, the Paso Internacional Los Libertadores, faces its longest closure in decades due to severe snow and white wind.
  • The closure, nearing a month, has paralyzed the primary commercial corridor, impacting over 70% of land cargo between the two nations.
  • Experts warn about the dangers of high mountain conditions, emphasizing the need for extreme caution.

The crucial land link between Chile and Argentina, the Paso Internacional Los Libertadores, is experiencing its most prolonged closure in decades. Persistent heavy snowfall and severe white winds have kept the vital mountain pass shut for nearly a month, paralyzing a key commercial artery.

This extended shutdown significantly disrupts the flow of goods, as the pass handles more than 70% of the land-based cargo transported between the two South American neighbors. The economic impact is substantial, affecting supply chains and trade.

High-mountain experts are issuing stark warnings about the treacherous conditions. They stress that the combination of snow and wind creates a hazardous environment where vigilance is paramount. The current weather situation underscores the raw power of nature in the Andes and the challenges it poses to vital infrastructure.

The snow kills, you have to be careful when you are inside

— High mountain expertWarning about the dangers posed by the severe weather conditions affecting the mountain pass.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by BioBioChile in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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