The United States government has imposed sanctions on three Chilean officials for actions deemed to "undermine regional security within our hemisphere."
According to El País, those sanctioned include Juan Carlos Muñoz, the Minister of Transport; Claudio Araya, the Undersecretary of Telecommunications; and Guillermo Petersen, the Chief of Staff at Subtel.
The trio is reportedly involved in a fiber optic cable project intended to link the Valparaíso region in central Chile with Hong Kong, as detailed by El País.
A statement from the Department of State, endorsed by Marco Rubio, declares that these "three Chilean government officials knowingly directed, authorized, funded, provided significant support for, and/or engaged in activities compromising critical telecommunications infrastructure."
The statement further notes, "These individuals and their immediate families will be barred from entering the United States, and any U.S. visas they hold will be revoked."
Rubio expressed a desire to "advance shared priorities, including those that bolster security in our hemisphere, with the incoming administration of Kast."
Last week, the Boric administration dispatched $1 million in humanitarian aid to Cuba—equivalent to 862 million Chilean pesos—amid the island's ongoing energy and fuel crisis.
The aid shipment has sparked criticism both within Chile and among U.S. politicians.
Impact of U.S. Sanctions on Chilean Officials
What are the consequences of the U.S. sanctions on the Chilean officials?
The sanctioned Chilean officials and their immediate family members are prohibited from entering the United States, and any existing U.S. visas they hold will be revoked.
Why were the Chilean officials sanctioned?
The sanctions were imposed due to their involvement in a fiber optic cable project that allegedly compromised critical telecommunications infrastructure, which is seen as a threat to regional security.