The Cristo Redentor International Pass, a key transit route between Argentina and Chile, closed to all vehicular traffic at noon local time today, February 19th, following the detection of a suspected Aedes aegypti mosquito, a vector for diseases including dengue fever, within the Los Libertadores complex on the Chilean side of the border.
The closure, announced by Chilean authorities and agreed upon with their Argentine counterparts, will last for 24 hours, reopening at noon on February 20th. The measure impacts traffic in both directions at Uspallata, Argentina and Guardia Vieja, Chile, and includes the complete shutdown of the international tunnel, a critical component of the binational transit corridor.
According to a statement released by the Unidad de Pasos Fronterizos, the Ministry of Health of Chile identified an adult male mosquito, “highly suspicious” of being an Aedes aegypti carrier, prompting the decision to implement a chemical disinfection protocol. Customs operations will cease at noon today, coinciding with the full suspension of vehicular circulation.
This is not the first time the Cristo Redentor Pass has been temporarily closed due to the presence of the Aedes aegypti mosquito. A similar preventative measure was taken last February, ahead of the Carnival holiday, following the detection of the same species.
The closure affects all vehicle types and aims to mitigate potential health risks and reinforce control measures at one of the primary land connections between the two countries. Argentine travelers returning from Chile reportedly accelerated their journeys to avoid being stranded by the closure, with increased traffic observed at the Roque Carranza complex in Horcones prior to the noon shutdown.
As of this afternoon, no further details regarding the specific chemical agents being used or the extent of the disinfection area have been released by either the Chilean or Argentine governments. The Unidad de Pasos Fronterizos indicated that updates on the route’s status will be provided as they become available.
