Security Message for U.S. Citizens- July 10, 2017
A taxi protest organized by CONFENATAXI, the largest taxi union in Chile, is currently affecting several areas in Santiago, including the Santiago International Airport and the downtown area. The authorized protest began at 8:30 a.m. at the Santiago International Airport and will proceed downtown via Americo Vespucio, Las Rejas, Blanco Encalada, and Avenida Beaucheff. From Avenida Beaucheff the demonstration will conclude at La Moneda. The demonstration is expected to last until approximately 15:30 p.m. As a result of the protest, traffic is slow in many areas of Santiago.
Even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and escalate into violence. Local law enforcement recommends avoiding these areas during the march. Generally, you should exercise caution if in the vicinity of any large gatherings, protests, or demonstrations. We advise you to monitor the media for the latest information on the location of the demonstration and be alert to your surroundings.
For further information:
- See the State Department’s travel website for the Worldwide Caution, Travel Warnings, Travel Alerts, and Country Specific Information for Chile.
- Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security messages and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
- Contact the S. Embassy in Chile, located at Andres Bello 2800, Las Condes, Santiago, at +56 22 330 3716, Monday to Friday from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm. The after-hours emergency number for U.S. citizens is +56 22 330 3000.
- Call 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or 1-202-501-4444 from other countries from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
- Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.
