Goñi meets with Bachelet before traveling to eruption zone

SANTIAGO.- The head of Defense and minister for the Chaiten campaign, Jose Goñi, had to postpone his trip to the Los Lagos Region until tomorrow.  There, Goñi will need to organize the relief efforts to aid those affected by the volcanic eruption in the province of Palena.

The decision to leave for Puerto Montt at 9:30 AM this Wednesday was due to the fact that President Michelle Bachelet had asked the minister to come to the presidential palace at 8:30 AM this morning to receive final instructions and information concerning available resources for the emergency in the southern part of the country.

The minister of Defense had planned to travel to Puerto Montt last night, but instead will leave this morning from Group 10 of the Chilean Air Force in order to arrive at the Tepual airport at approximately 11:00 AM.

The minister of the campaign left the presidential palace without making any statements, opting to speak to the press only after he has met with authorities in the emergency zone.