A few months ago, the Manzano Rada family, belonging to the Aymara community of Visviri, located in the General Lagos commune, Arica and Parinacota Region, contacted DIFROL through its community communication channels. They reported problems with their camelid livestock, which were roaming freely and needed to be fenced. However, the international border with Bolivia, as it bordered the family’s property, was unclear.

They therefore requested support in identifying the border on the ground so they could establish the fence’s route without affecting or crossing the boundary. DIFROL arranged to send a multidisciplinary team to the site for as long as necessary and, together with the community, mark the route for the future perimeter fence.

After exchanging emails and meeting virtually to coordinate the details of the activity, officials Marcelo Luengo, Sofía Moya, and Marcelo Asenjo, all members of the Chilean Boundary Commission, were appointed to go to the site and carry out the registration and provide guidance.

The DIFROL team visited Visviri between November 25th and 27th, where, using surveying equipment, they marked a line parallel to the international boundary, approximately five meters away, with stakes and other visible markers. This line represented the route of the final fence, which was then physically marked on the ground with wooden and iron stakes provided by the Visviri community.

In this way, DIFROL demonstrates its ongoing commitment, first, to respond promptly and efficiently to the needs of border communities, and second, its capacity, if circumstances require, to be present on-site to provide the support that each situation demands.