SANTIAGO, Chile (AP) — Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noems announced Wednesday during a visit to the South American country that the United States will use biometric technologies in collaboration with Chile to manage migration and dismantle criminal networks.
As he signed the preliminary agreement with Chile’s Security Minister Luis Cordero and Justice Minister Jaime Gajardo, Noem stated that the agreement would act as a bridge to assist Chile and the United States in their efforts to bring criminals to justice and identify those who are committing crimes in our nations.
As thousands of locals heeded tsunami warnings to flee along the nation’s Pacific coast, she noted from the city of Santiago that “this increased cooperation between our countries is extremely important to track criminals, terrorists, and dangerous individuals.”
The initiative comes as the Trump administration looks to strengthen regional collaboration in its fight against transnational criminal organizations, such as the infamous Venezuelan gang known as Tren de Aragua, which the White House has classified a foreign terrorist organization.
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Under the bilateral agreement, Chilean officials can identify potentially dangerous migrants coming into or going out of the country and share biometric information with the Department of Homeland Security, including fingerprints and iris scans, to stop them from traveling to the United States.
As we pursue these illegal actions, that knowledge will be crucial, Noem stated, lauding previous collaboration between the nation’s intelligence services.
In recent years, Tren de Aragua has caused chaos throughout Chile, which was long tranquil, by smuggling illegal migrants across borders, operating prostitution rings, selling drugs, and frightening the populace with gruesome atrocities.
However, Chilean authorities have retaliated by prosecuting several gang members in recent months. Following illegal migration, Tren de Aragua spread throughout Latin America before infiltrating the United States and igniting internal politics.
In order to disrupt South American criminal networks that are reportedly responsible for a series of burglaries targeting the multimillion-dollar houses of prominent celebrities and professional athletes in the United States and Europe, the Federal Bureau of Investigation recently partnered with Chile. Florida is currently charging the individuals, some of whom are Chilean nationals.
