AGP Executive Report

Transport: Truckers have blocked routes across Chile over rising fuel prices, demanding changes to the price-stabilization mechanism and tax relief. Separately, a nine-day stoppage at the Port of San Antonio ended with an 8% rate increase and other concessions, easing concerns for the cherry export season. Politics: The Kast government’s approval has fallen to 20%, amid weakening support. Energy: A Carbon Tracker report says faster adoption of electric vehicles could save Chile about US$27 billion in fuel imports by 2050. Officials are also studying compact nuclear reactors to power mines and remote communities. Culture: Oscar-winning Chilean filmmaker Sebastián Lelio, director of A Fantastic Woman, has died at 52.

Transport: Truckers blocked several routes in southern Chile on Monday over rising fuel prices, saying repeated increases are squeezing small operators. A separate nine-day strike near San Antonio port has ended after haulers and cargo companies reached an agreement, easing concerns ahead of cherry exports. Mining: Codelco’s chairman says the state miner needs private partners to develop projects and prevent further production declines. Politics: A University of Development survey puts President José Antonio Kast’s support at 20%, down from 30% in June, amid growing voter disappointment. Culture: Oscar-winning filmmaker Sebastián Lelio, director of A Fantastic Woman, has died in Santiago at 52; his family cited health complications without giving a cause. Conservation: Chile is funding a new Humboldt penguin census with 110 million pesos, updating 2017 figures as the species is now classified as endangered. Public safety: A road crash in central Chile killed 12 people and injured 15.

Mining: Codelco chairman Bernardo Fontaine says the state-owned miner needs private partners to stop production falling, citing delays, aging ore grades and a lack of capital. He said the company aims to produce about 1.3 million tonnes a year. Culture: Chile is mourning filmmaker Sebastián Lelio, who died at 52. His Oscar-winning film A Fantastic Woman broke ground with its portrayal of a transgender woman. Trade: Independent truckers have ended their strike at the Port of San Antonio after reaching an agreement with cargo companies, easing concerns about early cherry and stone-fruit exports. Conservation: A new land donation advances plans for Cape Froward National Park in Magallanes. The proposed 183,045-hectare park is more than 80% donated land, and Indigenous consultation has resumed. Tourism: Silversea has opened a 150-room hotel in Puerto Williams, a new stop for its Antarctica fly-cruise guests. Health: A survey found 78% of Chilean women delayed medical care in the past year because of cost or time barriers.

Culture: Chilean filmmaker Sebastián Lelio, director of Oscar-winning A Fantastic Woman, has died at 52. His death prompted national mourning and cast a shadow over Santiago’s film festival. Public Safety: A road crash in central Chile killed 12 people and injured 15. Healthcare: A survey found 78% of Chilean women delayed medical care in the past year, most often because of costs, waits or lack of time. Business and Trade: Agrosuper confirmed a bid for Blumar’s salmon assets, while a strike at San Antonio port threatens supplies of Chilean cherries. Sport: Colombian triathlete Carolina Velásquez won the World Cup race in Iquique, finishing ahead of American Taylor Knibb and Spain’s Marta Pintanel.

Football: Colo-Colo goalkeeper Vozinha is adjusting to life in Chile after his World Cup heroics turned him into a global celebrity, with 27.5 million Instagram followers and major endorsement deals. Road Tragedy: A bus and dump truck collided on the Ruta de la Fruta in Valparaíso Region, killing 12 people and injuring 15. Healthcare Access: A survey found 78% of Chilean women ages 25 to 75 delayed needed medical care in the past year, citing cost, wait times and difficulty finding time. Culture: Oscar-winning director Sebastián Lelio, whose A Fantastic Woman won the 2018 international-feature Oscar, died in Santiago at 52; authorities have not announced a cause. Business: ALTA Performance Materials agreed to acquire BASF’s Palatal resin operation in Concón, while Agrosuper has confirmed a bid for salmon producer Blumar.

Culture: Oscar-winning Chilean filmmaker Sebastián Lelio, director of A Fantastic Woman, has died at 52. His family cited health complications but did not disclose a cause; prosecutors have begun inquiries. Road Safety: A bus collided with a dump truck on the Ruta de la Fruta in Valparaíso Region, killing 12 and injuring 15. About 50 firefighters responded. Women’s Health: A Todas foundation study with Cadem found 78% of women surveyed had delayed needed medical care in the past year. Cost was the main barrier for 46%; 25% cited time or long waits. Business: ALTA Performance Materials agreed to buy BASF’s Palatal resin business, including its Concón plant, expanding local production for customers in mining, construction and aquaculture. Tourism: Silversea opened a 150-room hotel in Puerto Williams, positioning the southern Chilean town as a gateway for its Antarctica fly-cruises.

Culture: Sebastián Lelio, the Oscar-winning Chilean director of A Fantastic Woman, has died at 52. His family cited health reasons but gave no specific cause; prosecutors have opened an investigation, and no findings have been announced. Lelio had recently started filming an adaptation of A Chilean Poet. Trade: A truckers’ strike at San Antonio, Chile’s largest port, has disrupted operations and threatens cherry supplies ahead of the export season. Travel: Chile’s Working Holiday programme is open to young people from 17 countries, with eligibility and conditions varying by nationality. Tourism: Silversea has opened a 150-room hotel in Puerto Williams, creating a new base for its Antarctica fly-cruise trips.

Culture: Oscar-winning Chilean filmmaker Sebastián Lelio, director of A Fantastic Woman, has died at 52 in Santiago. His film won Chile its first Oscar in the international feature category and helped bring trans representation to a wider audience. Antarctic Gateway: Silversea has opened a 150-room hotel in Puerto Williams, making the Patagonian town its new base for fly-cruise trips to Antarctica. Salmon Deal: Agrosuper is pursuing a deal worth up to US$540 million for Blumar’s Chilean salmon business, subject to due diligence, regulatory approval and a shareholder vote. Port Disruption: A truckers’ strike at San Antonio, Chile’s largest port, threatens cherry shipments. Regional Security: Prosecutors from Chile, Brazil and Colombia are working toward continuous information-sharing to track criminal networks across borders.

Salmon Deal: Agrosuper has signed a non-binding agreement to buy Blumar’s Chilean salmon business for up to US$540 million. The deal still needs due diligence, regulatory approvals and a Blumar shareholder vote. Cherry Export Risk: A truckers’ strike at San Antonio port has sidelined more than 200 trucks and blocked terminals just days before Chile’s first cherry shipments to China are due to sail. Exporters warn of higher costs and delays. Shark Protections: Chile has withdrawn from an international agreement protecting five threatened migratory shark species, alongside Ecuador, Peru and Costa Rica. The move weakens coordinated protections for the sharks. Mining Expansion: Fluor has clearance to proceed with a fourth grinding line at the Sierra Gorda copper mine. On Screen: New film Wild Horse Nine follows CIA agents in Chile in 1973 as they help prepare the coup against Salvador Allende, with parts of the story set on Rapa Nui.

Port Strike: Independent truckers’ strike at San Antonio, Chile’s main export port, entered its seventh day, stranding containers and diverting the season’s first Cherry Express vessel to Valparaíso. Separate small-business transport groups are protesting rising fuel and toll costs, with further walkouts possible. Salmon Deal: Agrosuper, parent of AquaChile, signed an agreement to buy Blumar’s salmon-farming business for a proposed US$540 million, subject to negotiations and growth targets. Copper: Capstone Copper reported record quarterly earnings, but falling output, rising costs and weaker production guidance cloud the results; the company operates mines in Chile, Mexico and the United States. Environment: Chile’s president issued a substitute veto on a forest and rural fire-prevention bill, while recent government cuts to environmental protections have drawn criticism. Public Anger: Protesters are demanding a minister’s resignation over reduced sentences for sex-abuse cases.

Mining: Fluor has received the go-ahead for Sierra Gorda’s fourth grinding line, a project expected to lift the mine’s processing capacity by about 27% when construction begins in 2027. Aviation: LATAM’s third-quarter profit rose 16% despite fuel-cost pressure, while CEO Roberto Alvo discussed the airline group’s growth and industry challenges. Exports: A port hauliers’ strike is threatening Chile’s cherry shipments, raising concerns for a major export season. Politics and Justice: Protesters are demanding a minister’s resignation over reduced sentences in sexual abuse cases; separately, the president has issued a substitute veto on a forest and rural fire-prevention bill. Technology: Chile has cleared AST SpaceMobile to provide nationwide satellite service.

Diplomacy: President José Antonio Kast attended the Ibero-American Summit in Madrid, where only 10 of the 22 member countries sent their leaders. Brazil’s Lula and Mexico’s Sheinbaum were among those absent, underscoring divisions in the bloc. Vatican Ties: Kast also met Pope Leo XIV and Vatican officials, discussing migration, demographic decline and the Church’s role in Chilean society. Marine Conservation: Chile withdrew from an agreement protecting five threatened shark species, joining Peru, Ecuador and Costa Rica; the move allows fishing to continue and weakens protection for migratory sharks. Mining: BHP kept its production and cost guidance unchanged despite lower copper output, citing planned grade declines, maintenance, weather and safety stoppages at Escondida. Business & Public Debate: A port hauliers’ strike threatens cherry exports, while protesters called for a minister’s resignation over reduced sentences for sex-abuse cases. Santiago’s EtMday innovation meeting expects more than 60,000 attendees from 30 countries on Nov. 19–21.

Justice Backlash: About 500 people protested in Santiago, demanding Justice Minister Fernando Rabat resign after sentences were reduced for at least 56 convicted sex offenders. The opposition plans to seek his impeachment; President José Antonio Kast’s approval has fallen to 26%, according to Cadem. Fire Prevention: Chile’s president issued a substitute veto on a bill to prevent forest and rural fires, putting the legislation back in focus. Trade and Transport: A truckers’ strike at Chilean ports threatens cherry exports, a key seasonal shipment. Business: LATAM Airlines reported third-quarter net income of AU$631 million, as revenue rose 18.4% despite fuel prices jumping 52.1%. Foreign Relations: Kast began his first European tour in Madrid, meeting Spanish right-wing leaders as he seeks closer ties with political allies.

Justice Row: About 500 people protested outside Chile’s presidential palace, demanding Justice Minister Fernando Rabat resign after sentence reductions for at least 56 convicted sex offenders. Rabat says he followed a Supreme Court guideline; the opposition plans to seek his impeachment. Fire Prevention: President José Antonio Kast has vetoed a bill on forest and rural fire prevention, with the government arguing it lacks dedicated funding and clear rules for investigating fires and prosecuting those responsible. Human Rights: A proposed overhaul of Chile’s National Human Rights Institute could weaken its independence and cut staff in regional offices and its legal protection unit, raising concerns about support for victims. Business: LATAM Airlines’ third-quarter profit rose 16% despite a 52% surge in fuel prices, while its operating margin narrowed. Exports: A threatened port-hauliers’ strike could disrupt Chile’s cherry shipments as the export season approaches.

Presidential Visit: José Antonio Kast began his first official trip to Spain with meetings with right-wing allies, including Vox leader Santiago Abascal, and an award from Madrid’s regional government. Drug Seizures: Chile’s PDI seized 579.4 kilograms of ketamine in 2026, up from 402.8 kilograms in 2025. Ketamine made up 87% of drug seizures in the category, up from 64.5% last year. Government Under Pressure: A controversy over 56 Justice Ministry decrees reducing sentences—including for people convicted of child sexual abuse—has led to the resignation of Undersecretary Luis Silva and put Justice Minister Fernando Rabat under scrutiny. Business: Viña Concha y Toro reported third-quarter net income growth of 2.6% and forecasts 2027 revenue growth of 1.9% to 4.7%; domestic sales rose 1% year on year. Antarctic Links: Chile-built hybrid-electric expedition ship Magellan Discoverer is heading to Punta Arenas for its November 6 christening, ahead of a December maiden voyage to southern Chile and Antarctica. Meanwhile, international talks again failed to agree on new Antarctic marine protections, including a Chile-Argentina proposal.

Chile Abroad: President José Antonio Kast met Vox leader Santiago Abascal in Madrid during his European visit; Madrid’s regional president also awarded Kast an international medal, citing his focus on security. Jobs and Migration: Venezuelans’ workforce in Chile shrank 8% year over year in the third quarter, a loss of about 42,700 people. The decline was steepest among those who had arrived within the past five years. Mining Dispute: Environmentalists protested the Dominga mining project, renewing scrutiny of development plans and their impact on the environment. Arts and Culture: Santiago’s Sanfic Mórbido Lab is showcasing Latin American genre films, including a Mapuche identity parable and Chilean animation. A Journey Begins in Chile: British adventurer Karl Bushby reached home in England after a 28-year, 50,000-kilometer walk that began in Punta Arenas.