AGP Executive Report

Exports: Chile’s walnut shipments reached US$644.4 million in the year to March, up 58.6% as growers weigh how to turn rising sales into better returns. Justice: A Senate leader has proposed prison terms of up to 15 years for illegal gambling operators. Environment and Energy: The government has requested the resignation of Sernapesca’s director as proposed budget cuts threaten environmental inspections; Chile also plans five lithium tenders in a bid to double output. Public Safety: An avalanche left three people dead and four injured. Rights and Protests: UN experts condemned celebrations at the former Colonia Dignidad torture site, while 29 people were detained and six police officers injured during protests marking the 2019 social uprising. Diplomacy: Chile’s president made the first state visit to Bolivia in 71 years, meeting his counterpart in La Paz.

Lithium and Mining: Chile plans five new lithium tenders as it seeks to double output. BHP, meanwhile, reported a 19% quarterly drop in copper production, citing disruption at Escondida, but kept its full-year forecast unchanged. Public Safety: An avalanche in Chile killed three people and injured four. Diplomacy: Chile’s president made the first state visit to Bolivia in 71 years, signaling renewed engagement between the neighbors. Rights and Accountability: UN experts condemned celebrations at Colonia Dignidad, the former torture and abuse site. Environment: Nearly 918 tonnes of salmon died in Magallanes, while Chile stepped up preparations for harmful algal blooms. Social Unrest: Police detained 29 people and six officers were injured during demonstrations marking the 2019 social uprising’s seventh anniversary.

Lithium and Mining: Chile plans five more lithium project tenders next year, aiming to more than double output within a decade by giving private operators a bigger role. Separately, BHP’s copper production fell 19% in the September quarter, partly due to weather problems and a fatality at Escondida, putting its strategy under scrutiny ahead of the company’s annual meeting. Public Safety: An avalanche in Chile killed three people and injured four, according to reports. Human Rights: UN experts urged Chile to stop celebrations at former Colonia Dignidad, warning they could deepen victims’ pain and threaten the preservation of evidence at the torture and disappearance site. Business: Chile’s corporate tax rate is set to fall to 23% over three years, a change expected to reduce Scotiabank’s fourth-quarter earnings by about C$55 million. OpenAI also added Chile to the 26 new countries where businesses can advertise on ChatGPT.

Environmental Oversight: Chile’s government has asked Sernapesca chief María Soledad Tapia to resign, while its proposed budget would cut environmental inspection funding. Energy Ties: Peru wants to restart talks on linking its power grid with Chile’s, potentially allowing electricity exchanges that pair Chilean solar and wind power with Peruvian hydropower and gas. Public Safety: An avalanche in Chile killed three people and injured four. Santiago Transit: Australian contractor Martinus won the track and electrification contract for Metro Line 9, plus a 20-year maintenance deal; the project is expected to create 300 local jobs. Human Rights: UN experts urged authorities to prevent events at Colonia Dignidad, where torture and disappearances took place under and after the dictatorship, warning that celebrations risk revictimizing survivors and compromising evidence. Wildlife Protection: Police in Atacama arrested a man accused of trapping seven protected birds in the flowering desert; the birds were handed to authorities for assessment and release.

Human Rights: UN experts urged Chile to stop celebrations at the former Colonia Dignidad site, where torture and disappearances took place, warning that events risk retraumatizing victims and compromising evidence. Mountain Safety: An avalanche near Ski Portillo killed three Chileans and injured four others; the slide struck outside the closed resort’s marked ski area. Marine Risks: Chile is coordinating agencies ahead of possible harmful algal blooms this season, amid concerns about impacts on seafood production, marine life and public health. Mining: Anglo American reported a 5% quarterly drop in copper output, citing record snowfall and maintenance disruptions in Chile, but kept its 2026 production forecast unchanged. Public Order: Police detained 29 people and six Carabineros were injured during marches marking seven years since Chile’s 2019 social unrest. Regional Ties: Chile’s president made the first state visit to Bolivia in 71 years, as the two countries seek closer cooperation.

Copper and Mining: BHP’s September-quarter copper output fell 19% to 401,000 tonnes, with lower grades, maintenance and bad weather at Chile’s Escondida mine among the causes. The miner kept its full-year guidance unchanged. Valparaíso Tourism: The port has 30 cruise calls booked through mid-April, up 25% on last season, as the new cruise period gets underway. Politics and Protests: Police detained 29 people during marches marking the seventh anniversary of Chile’s 2019 social uprising; six officers were reportedly injured. Separately, a survey cited by Fundación Nodo XXI found that one-quarter of President José Antonio Kast’s supporters regret backing him. Chile-Bolivia Ties: The presidents’ first meeting in 71 years has opened a diplomatic reset, while a separate agreement aims to connect Bolivia to the planned Humboldt submarine cable through Chile. Southern Environment: Nearly 918 tonnes of salmon died in Magallanes, prompting concern in Tierra del Fuego; researchers also detected 1,540 deep tectonic tremors beneath southern Patagonia.

Chile-Bolivia Ties: Bolivia and Chile signed a memorandum to study a land-based fibre-optic link connecting Bolivia to the planned Humboldt submarine cable. The deal follows Chile’s first presidential state visit to Bolivia in 71 years, signalling a diplomatic reset. Social Unrest: At least 29 people were detained and six Carabineros officers injured during a Santiago march marking seven years since the 2019 social uprising. Thousands gathered to remember those killed and injured, while protesters criticised government cuts and called for greater social rights. Sport: Chile’s U-17 women’s team opens its World Cup campaign against Australia in Morocco on Monday. Trade: The season’s first air-freighted Chilean cherries arrived in Shanghai, with more shipments expected. Environment and Science: Nearly 918 tonnes of salmon have died in Magallanes, raising concerns in Tierra del Fuego, while Chilean scientists detected 1,540 deep tectonic tremors beneath southern Patagonia.

Anniversary Protests: Police arrested 29 people and six Carabineros were injured in Santiago as about 2,500 people marked seven years since Chile’s 2019 social uprising. Patagonia Science: University of Chile researchers detected 1,540 deep tectonic tremors over two years at the Antarctic–South American plate boundary, 30 to 40 kilometres below the surface. Salmon Die-Off: Nearly 918 tonnes of salmon died at two farms in Magallanes after a harmful algal bloom. Sernapesca said the fish were removed and the incident closed. Chile–Bolivia Ties: The countries’ presidents met in La Paz, part of a diplomatic reset and the first Chilean presidential state visit to Bolivia in 71 years. Santiago Weather: Severe storms prompted a red alert and school closures, with hail and flooding disrupting travel. Mining: Cobre Limited named former Rio Tinto executive Phil Mitchell as chairman as it pursues growth at its Sierra Atacama mine. Culture: BTS wrapped three Santiago shows, with leader RM praising Chilean fans and members promising to return.

Aquaculture: Nearly 918 tons of salmon died at two farms in Magallanes after a harmful algal bloom. Chile’s fisheries service says the dead fish were removed and calls the loss low by industry standards, but the incident has renewed concerns about impacts on Patagonia’s marine ecosystems. Patagonia’s Kelp Forests: A review of 102 studies found at least 535 groups of organisms associated with the region’s underwater forests, which also support fisheries. Researchers say the findings can help guide conservation. Chile–Bolivia Ties: Chile’s president made the first state visit to Bolivia in 71 years, as both governments seek a diplomatic reset. Santiago Storms: Hail and flooding brought road closures, transit delays and power outages in the capital, prompting a red alert and school closures. Copper Tensions: Supervisors at Escondida, the world’s largest copper mine, planned a strike after contract talks failed; the mine produces about a quarter of Chile’s copper.

Copper Tensions: Supervisors at Escondida, the world’s largest copper mine, say they will strike Wednesday after contract talks failed. Chile’s copper output fell 12.8% in August, while a fatal landslide at El Teniente adds to safety concerns. Diplomatic Scrutiny: Lawyers for Palestine in Chile have asked the Comptroller General to investigate Ambassador Gabriel Zaliasnik over remarks about the Palestinian community and his conduct during a televised interview. Regional Reset: Chile’s president made the first state visit to Bolivia in 71 years, seeking a diplomatic reset as political alignments shift across the region. Capital Disruptions: Hail and floodwater overwhelmed roads in Santiago, snarling transit and causing power outages as severe storms prompted a red alert. Patagonia’s Kelp Forests: A review of 102 studies found at least 535 groups of organisms in Chilean Patagonia’s underwater forests, underscoring their value to marine life and coastal fishing communities.

Diplomacy: President José Antonio Kast met Bolivia’s Rodrigo Paz in La Paz, the first Chilean presidential state visit in 71 years. The two agreed to pursue cooperation on trade, mining, energy and border security while setting aside longstanding disputes. Copper: Strike threats at Escondida, the world’s largest copper mine, have put production in focus. Separately, reports say seven miners have died in Chile in three weeks; a landslide at Codelco’s El Teniente mine killed two. Extreme Weather: Hail and flooding battered Santiago, disrupting transit, cutting power and prompting school closures and a red alert. Crime: Two Chileans were arrested in Bali over an alleged 4.5-kilogram cocaine smuggling attempt on a route from Santiago via Melbourne. Business: Chilean avocado exports reached a new record, while Antofagasta reported a 7% rise in third-quarter copper output and kept its annual forecast.

Diplomacy: President José Antonio Kast’s state visit to Bolivia—the first by a Chilean leader in 71 years—opened talks on trade, mining, energy and border security. The countries are seeking closer ties but have not restored ambassador-level relations. Mining: Chile’s copper sector faces mounting pressure: seven miners have died in three weeks, workers at the world’s largest copper mine have threatened a strike, and Codelco halted work at El Teniente after a deadly landslide. Antofagasta Minerals, meanwhile, reported a 7% rise in third-quarter copper output and kept its annual forecast. Environment: Chile’s nationwide light-pollution standard takes full effect Oct. 19, restricting outdoor lighting to protect the night sky, health and wildlife. Finance: Chilean pension funds reportedly sought limits on interest-rate bets before losses, raising questions about investment risk. Public safety: A Venezuelan gang member was sentenced to 20 years for kidnapping and killing a dissident in Chile. Weather: Hail and floodwater disrupted roads in Santiago, stalled transit and cut power.

Diplomacy: President José Antonio Kast made the first Chilean presidential state visit to Bolivia in 71 years. He and President Rodrigo Paz discussed trade, mining and border security, but restoring full diplomatic ties was not on the agenda. Pensions: Chilean fund managers had sought curbs on risky interest-rate bets before losses of about $7.7 billion, drawing scrutiny as conservative Fund E took a hit. Exports: Chile shipped a record 160,000 tonnes of avocados in 2025/26, worth $434 million, making it the world’s third-largest exporter. Severe Weather: Hail and floodwater snarled roads across Santiago, causing transit delays and power outages as authorities issued a red alert for severe storms. Mining: Seven miners have died in three weeks, while a strike threat at Escondida adds pressure to the sector. Antofagasta Minerals, meanwhile, reported third-quarter copper output up 7%.

Mining Safety: Chile’s mining death toll has reached 13 this year, with seven workers killed in six accidents between Sept. 23 and Oct. 14. Codelco has also halted El Teniente after a fatal landslide. Santiago Weather: Severe storms brought flooding, collapsed roofs and a red alert in the capital, as authorities warned of wider impacts across central Chile. Crime and Courts: A Chilean court sentenced a Venezuelan man to 20 years for his role in dissident Ronald Ojeda’s kidnapping and killing; 16 others are due to face trial next week. Separately, Chilean and Australian police say a joint operation disrupted a planned cocaine shipment, with four arrests. Copper Industry: Antofagasta Minerals reported a 7% rise in third-quarter copper output and stood by its 2026 forecast, while strike concerns persist at the country’s major mines.

Copper: Antofagasta reported a 7% rise in third-quarter output and kept its 2026 forecast, though production so far this year remains 8.3% below last year’s pace. At Escondida, the world’s largest copper mine, supervisors are in talks to avert a strike. Mining Safety: Codelco halted work at El Teniente after a landslide killed two workers. Science: Chile has produced its first cloned horse, a copy of polo pony Capacidad, born in the O’Higgins region. Santiago Weather: Severe storms brought flooding, hail and power cuts to the capital, prompting a red alert and school closures. Patagonia: Magallanes fishermen have secured a floating moratorium on kelp harvesting until 2034 to protect seaweed forests.

Santiago Storm: Hail, flooding and power cuts hit the capital, prompting a red alert and school closures as emergency crews responded to the damage. Mining Tensions: BHP and supervisors at Escondida reached a preliminary agreement that eased an immediate strike threat at the world’s largest copper mine. Labour unrest has also affected Centinela, while Codelco halted El Teniente operations after a landslide killed two workers. Patagonian Waters: Magallanes fishers’ moratorium on floating-kelp harvesting will run through 2034, protecting forests that support marine life and local livelihoods. Clean Energy: Chilean developer Trayen Power and Sweden’s Minesto will assess sites for tidal and ocean-current projects, with the aim of supplying power to local grids and industries.