Border authorities in Argentina and Chile are reopening the Cristo Redentor International Pass for cargo trucks this Tuesday.
The reopening is critical to alleviate a massive logistics bottleneck in the Andes mountains. The pass serves as a primary trade artery between Mendoza, Argentina, and Chile, and its prolonged closure has stranded hundreds of commercial vehicles.
Heavy snowfall and severe weather in the cordillera forced the closure of the crossing for between 34 [2] and nearly 35 days [1]. The resulting backlog created a significant crisis for transport companies and supply chains in both nations.
Under the current reopening plan, only cargo trucks are permitted to circulate [1]. These vehicles may cross between 9:00 and 21:00 [1]. Private vehicles remain prohibited from using the pass for the time being [1].
Authorities are launching a special operation to decongest the route. The scale of the backlog varies by report, with some estimates placing the number of stranded vehicles between 1,800 and 2,000 [2]. Other reports specifically cite more than 1,800 stranded trucks, according to the Association of Truck Owners of Argentina [5], while the Confederation of Truck Owners of Chile reported more than 1,500 [4].
The priority for border officials is to move the accumulated freight as quickly as possible to restore regional trade flow. The decision to limit access to commercial transport reflects the urgency of clearing the queue of stranded drivers who have been waiting for over a month to complete their journeys.
“Only cargo trucks are permitted to circulate.”
The prioritized reopening for cargo trucks underscores the economic vulnerability of Andean trade routes to extreme weather. By restricting private travel and focusing on commercial freight, Argentina and Chile are attempting to mitigate the financial losses caused by a month-long supply chain disruption while ensuring that the limited road capacity is used for essential economic activity.
