Chile investigates suspected human trafficking of Haitian children through irregular entry

Chilean President José Antonio Kast convened representatives from all three branches of government on Thursday to investigate the suspected irregular entry of Haitian minors into the country who have not yet been located by authorities. The meeting followed a criminal complaint filed by Chile's National Migration Service regarding alleged child trafficking linked to the entry of children and adolescents from Haiti on chartered flights between January and October 2025.

According to the Migration Service, investigations conducted jointly with the Comptroller General's Office and the Investigation Police identified at least a dozen adults—both Chilean and foreign nationals—who repeatedly entered the country accompanying groups of between two and 18 Haitian minors. These adults had no family ties to the children they transported and lacked legal authorization to travel with minors. The complaint also implicates airlines and travel agencies involved in arranging the transfers.

Following the meeting, Kast stated that authorities addressed the complaint with urgency and affirmed that "the protection of children supersedes any political consideration." Social Security Minister María Jesús Wulf announced the creation of a working group to expedite information gathering and analysis related to the case. She explained that Kast tasked her with coordinating between ministries and public agencies to ensure protection of minors whose whereabouts remain unknown and whose rights may have been violated.

Interior Minister and Secretary General Claudio Alvarado declared to the press before the meeting: "The Chilean state has a duty to each of these children and we will fulfill it. We will not rest until we have certainty about the whereabouts and well-being of each one." However, authorities did not specify the total number of minors who may have entered under these conditions, nor confirm whether evidence exists of trafficking network victimization.