INTERVIEW | Border Shield and Chile's International Relations

The executive vice president of Atinalab and councilor of Las Condes, Richard Kouyoumdjian, analyzed in El Radar the initial steps of the new government, particularly regarding security, defense, and international relations.

“The border shield is a blend of concepts: fences, sensors, drone surveillance, satellites, reconnaissance aircraft, nighttime monitoring,” he explained.

The Danger of Organized Crime

Kouyoumdjian emphasized that the focus of the plan should not be limited to migration. “The border shield is necessary because we have very porous borders to the north and the danger is not illegal immigration; it is transnational crime, drug trafficking, smuggling, and arms trafficking,” he stated.

He also highlighted the appointment of Admiral (ret.) Alberto Soto as the authority in the northern zone. “When Alberto Soto speaks, it is as if the President of the Republic is speaking. If someone wants to confront him, I do not recommend it,” he warned.

He also emphasized the lack of military personnel for permanent surveillance. “Currently, human resources in the Armed Forces are scarce,” he asserted. He also specified that they need to be modernized.

The New U.S. Foreign Policy and Its Impact on Chile

On another note, Kouyoumdjian explained the geopolitical shift led by Washington since 2025, detailing that they established three areas of influence.

In this regard, he asserted that organized crime is now a central axis of the hemispheric agenda. “For the U.S., the relationship with Latin America will be governed by security, not by the economy.”

Check the full chapter below: