Chilean police locate 33 of 64 Haitian children reported missing

The Chilean Investigations Police (PDI) have confirmed the location of 33 out of 64 Haitian children and adolescents who were listed as missing in a preliminary report by the Comptroller General of the Republic. This finding comes after the work of an intersectoral task force.

Eduardo Cerna, the PDI's Director General, announced that the located minors are living with their direct relatives, are enrolled in school, and have current health check-ups. He clarified that they are not missing or lost but are residing with their families, and their entry into the country followed proper protocols.

Cerna also addressed concerns about immigration control at the Santiago Airport, explaining that specific procedures are in place for charter flights. He detailed that each minor is checked against their reunification visa and the identity of the receiving adult. An official record is created, documenting the adult's name and address.

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In relation to the report from the Comptroller General of the Republic that refers to 64 NNA who had not been located, we have found 33 who are living with a binding family: father, mother, siblings. They are young people who are in good health, are in school and in the health system. That is to say, they are living in their places; they are not missing, lost, or irregularly entered.

Minister of Social Development and Family, María Jesús Wulf, who led a task force involving various ministries and international organizations like UNICEF, called for unity. She emphasized that the government's priority is the identification and well-being of children, stating, "This is not the time for politics... it is the time for action and it is the time for children and adolescents."

Minister Wulf further noted that this effort is part of a comprehensive child protection policy for all children in the country, aiming to improve the state's response to extreme vulnerability situations. The initiative will extend beyond the Haitian community to encompass all children in need.

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This is not the time for politics, nor for seeking culprits or those responsible; it is the time for action and it is the time for children and adolescents. We are facing a serious problem and our only occupation today is to solve it as soon as possible for the safety of these children.