Santiago’s Dark Side: US Warns of Danger Zones, But Fedetur Fires Back
US Embassy Issues Security Warning for Chile, Citing Concerns in Santiago
The US Embassy has issued a security warning for its citizens traveling to Chile, citing concerns about crime in certain areas of Santiago. The embassy notes that Chile is currently at Level 2, indicating ”extreme concern” for visitors.
Areas of Concern in Santiago
The embassy has identified several areas in Santiago as being particularly prone to crime, including:
- Central Market (La Vega)
- Santa Lucia Hill
- Parade ground
- Sponsorship
- Bellavista
- Yugay neighborhood
- Lastarria neighborhood
- Persian biography
- Barrio Meiggs
- Mapocho Station Cultural Centre
- The Dominicans
Response from the Chilean Federation of Tourism Companies
Jaime Guazzini, president of the Chilean Federation of Tourism Companies (Fedetur), has expressed concern about the impact of the security warning on tourism in Chile. “We need to have the least possible impact on the security issue, because this is the initial condition for you to be able to make a good decision and visit a country,” he said in an interview with Radio biobío.
Guazzini noted that Fedetur has been working with the government to address the security concerns, and has met with the Undersecretary of Tourism to discuss the issue. “We care about the issue, we care about it, that’s why we work permanently and always and pass our concerns to the Executive Branch,” he added.
Long-term Solutions
Guazzini emphasized the importance of finding long-term solutions to the security concerns, including the creation of a tourist police force or training for police officers to serve and assist tourists. “In the long term we would love to have a tourist police, or that the police are trained to serve and assist tourists, or that municipal workers are more trained,” he said.