Goñi finds it "unnecessary" for Chilean deputies to visit Hito 1

SANTIAGO.- The minister of Defense, José Goñi, has called a trip scheduled for members of the Defense and Foreign Affairs commissions to visit Hito 1, located on the Chilean-Peruvian border, unnecessary.

During a conversation on Radio Cooperativa, the minister stated, “It is not necessary to claim sovereignty in our own national territory, that seems unnecessary to me”, while referring to the trip that has been scheduled for members of Parliament.

Nevertheless, Minister Goñi clarified by saying, “on the other hand, I do believe the members of Parliament have every right to move within that territory”.

Goñi´s statements are in line with those made by Alejandro Foxely, who asked the officials to “proceed with caution” during their visit to the border.

The decision announced by the Chilean deputies has prompted negative reactions from Peruvian authorities.  According to President Alan García, the choice demonstrates a “desire to be the center of attention”, while the former secretary general of the OAS, Javier Pérez, asked Chile to avoid provoking Perú.