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Daily Mail
a day ago
- Daily Mail
King and Queen stranded in Chile due to faulty plane
King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium are stranded in Chile due to a fault with their plane. Following a three-day state visit to the country at the invitation of the President of the Republic of Chile, Gabriel Boric Font, the Belgian royals were due to depart from Antofagasta Airport on Thursday. However, the Airbus A340-300 carrying Philippe, 65, and Mathilde, 52, along with government officials, business leaders, academics, and media representatives, 'rattled' and fell 'silent' while being taxied to the runway, HLN reported. Shortly after, passengers were informed that the aircraft was damaged and take-off would be delayed 'by several hours', but the flight was later cancelled with sources saying 'a tire was destroyed.' The plane now needs a replacement wheel before it can attempt another take off, meaning it's unclear when the return flight will depart. During the first Belgian state visit to Latin America in 60 years, the couple enjoyed a welcome ceremony at La Moneda Presidential Palace in Santiago. But their short trip to Chile has been marred by travel issues because the outbound flight was also delayed by 24 hours due to technical difficulties. Philippe and Mathilde were due to depart from Melsbroek Airport at 9am last Sunday, but were told the night before that their plane was suffering technical issues. They eventually took off 24 hours later on Monday morning in the 24-year-old Airbus, which had been grounded since May 18. The mishap comes after Queen Mathilde experienced another terrifying start to a royal visit after her plane was forced to make an emergency landing in February. The Belgian royal was on her way to Costa Rica when her plane was forced to carry out a priority landing after it suffered a crack to the windshield during the flight. Mathilde was headed to the country for a three-day solo trip organised by UNICEF Belgium and UNICEF Costa Rica when the aircraft suffered the frightening crack. Luckily, staff onboard steered the royal to safety, with the aircraft landing at San José Juan Santamaria International airport just 15 minutes ahead of schedule. While the incident likely sparked concern for the crew onboard, it appeared the incident was unbeknownst to their royal passengers who arrived unscathed and none-the-wiser of the stressful ordeal. Writing on X, royal commentator, Wim Dehandschutter, wrote: 'The airplane with Belgian Queen Mathilde landed in Costa Rica with a cracked windshield, according to this account and local media.' 'I was on that flight. As passengers, we didn't notice anything, and we didn't receive any notification during the flight or upon landing.' He added: 'Our KLM flight did leave Schiphol 20 minutes late, there was turbulence - as on many flights - and the landing was quite hard, but nothing seemed to be alarming. So I was a bit surprised when I read reports in the local media and on X about the 'emergency landing'. It comes after King Philippe of Belgium discussed whether he has plans to abdicate the throne in favour of his eldest child in an interview. The 65-year-old Belgian king answered 30 questions put forward by the public in a video shared by the Belgian Royal Palace. One question asked Philippe, who is married to Queen Mathilde of Belgium, 52, about his plans for abdication, if any. 'A King steps back, but is not retired,' Philippe answered when translated to English via Hola. Should Philippe one day choose to abdicate, his eldest daughter, Crown Princess Elisabeth, 23, will ascend the throne. In his answer, Philippe continued, 'I will continue to work for Belgium and I must give my daughter time to enjoy her youth, develop herself and see the world and I support her 100 percent in that and I will do everything I can to give her all the time she needs to do.' Philippe's father, King Albert of Belgium, abdicated in 2013 after a 20-year reign, clearing the way for his son, Philippe, to take over as the nation's king. Aged 53 at the time, then-Prince Philippe took the oath before the nation's legislators at the Parliament building, a short walk across the Royal Park in the heart of the city. The future Belgian queen has certainly made the most of her youth, and is currently studying at Harvard University after finishing her undergraduate degree at Oxford University. In photos shared on the Belgian royal family's official Instagram page last September, Elisabeth appeared excited to settle into her all-American life amid reports she was already a highly sought-after companion among her peers. The Princess is currently enrolled in a two-year Master's program in public policy at the Harvard Kennedy School. Away from her royal duties, Elisabeth has embraced life as a student as she was pictured on the first day of term wearing an understated, yet chic, ensemble - complete with sneakers - in portraits shared by the Palace. The royal enrolled at the institution under the name 'Elisabeth de Saxe-Coburg' at Harvard Kennedy School.
Straits Times
5 days ago
- Business
- Straits Times
Chile deepens economic ties with China amid growing dependency concerns
China's President Xi Jinping and Chile's President Gabriel Boric at the opening ceremony of the China-Celac Forum ministerial meeting in Beijing on May 13. PHOTO: REUTERS – In the northern Chilean port city of Mejillones, customers of the country's largest electrical utility by clientele, Compania General de Electricidad (CGE), are concerned that they are being left in the dark. Frustrated with the frequent power cuts in the region, a small group of protesters took to the streets on June 10 and blocked traffic, to demand an end to the blackouts. CGE, which is controlled by China's state-owned State Grid Corp – the world's largest utility company – has said it has taken 'various measures' to fix the problems and they 'deeply regret the inconvenience caused'. In 2021 , State Grid carried out a US$3 billion (S$3.8 billion) takeover of CGE. The June blackout, which CGE attributed to external factors, was the latest in a series of disruptions to Chile's electrical grid, which is now more than 57 per cent controlled by Chinese state-owned companies, including China Southern Power Grid. Chile's blackouts are not solely linked to Chinese-owned firms – a power outage that affected 90 per cent of the population in February was attributed to a Colombian electricity distributor. But experts say they reflect China's deepening influence in critical infrastructure in Chile at a time when the two countries are becoming more interconnected economically. Chinese energy companies have boosted their presence in Latin America in the past few years, with investments particularly in logistics and telecommunications. China's rising influence throughout the region has raised concerns in the United States, which traditionally has the most commercial influence over Latin America and access to its natural resources. Chile was the first Latin American country to sign a free trade agreement with China, now its top trade partner, in 2005. Since 2015, Chile's exports to China have increased about 130 per cent from around US$16 billion to US$37 billion in 2024, according to Marca Chile, the country's promotional agency. That constituted about 40 per cent of Chile's total exports in 2024, more than double those to its next-biggest export partner, the US, with 16 per cent (US$15.3 billion), according to the United Nations' Comtrade database on international trade. Chile has also seen a sharp increase in foreign direct investment from China in its power grid under the latter's flagship Belt and Road Initiative. In 2016, the country's economic development agency, InvestChile, had US$310 million worth of Chinese investment in its portfolio. In 2024, that value reached nearly US$4 billion. As China reaches out, Trump adopts a more assertive approach During the China-Celac (Community of Latin American and Caribbean States) Forum ministerial meeting held in Beijing in May, Chinese President Xi Jinping told Chilean President Gabriel Boric that the two countries should create a model of common development between China and Latin American countries and set a stellar example of South-South cooperation. Within the framework of the China-Celac Forum, China and Chile signed three new trade deals , which will expand Chile's agricultural exports such as poultry, wool and leather to China – further entrenching China as Chile's biggest trading partner. At the same time, Chile's relationship with the US is becoming more complicated in the wake of the Trump administration's chaotic tariffs. In February, US President Donald Trump threatened to increase tariffs on copper, one of Chile's biggest exports. Much of the refined metal being sent to the US is coming from giant mines in Latin America, specifically Chile and Peru. Complicating matters further for Chile is big-power contestation: The US and China have butted heads recently over development projects in Chile, including a planned space observatory in the Atacama Desert and a transpacific fibre-optic cable. 'Chile faces growing pressure to choose between technological ecosystems, with projects like digital infrastructure becoming focal points of geopolitical competition,' political science associate professor Francisco Urdinez, who researches China's use of economic diplomacy at the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile, told The Straits Times. Still, Prof Urdinez noted that Chile has been successful so far at balancing the two superpowers. 'Unlike some other Latin American countries that experienced complete economic displacement, Chile appears to have significantly increased China's economic weight without diminishing US influence,' he said. Bolivia's leftist government, for instance, fell out of favour with the US, and has become increasingly dependent on Chinese investment and trade as its economy falters. However, the balancing act is 'becoming increasingly challenging, as evidenced by Chilean President Gabriel Boric's 2023 statement that he had been privately pressured to support one of the two powers', said Prof Urdinez. Both Prof Urdinez and Assistant Professor Andres Borquez, Asian studies coordinator at the University of Chile, agreed that some of the pressure of being wedged between the US and China could be eased by diversifying Chile's trade partnerships even further. This would also help Chile reduce its growing dependence on China. Indeed, Chile has signed 25 trade agreements and belongs to a number of trade groups, including the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, the Southern Common Market, the Pacific Alliance and the World Trade Organisation. Time to consider India and South-east Asia Prof Urdinez suggested that Chile should pursue 'strategic equilibrium in its external economic relations' by diversifying its trade relationships, particularly looking to India and South-east Asian countries like Vietnam, which is Chile's largest trading partner in Asean. Given China's vast trade potential compared with other Asian countries, Prof Urdinez suggested that Chile diversify its trade matrix towards Asian countries with large domestic markets such as Indonesia and Thailand to 'absorb some of the products currently going primarily to China'. 'This approach would gradually reduce Chile's dependence on China while maintaining access to the benefits of the relationship, ultimately providing more space for the country to defend its interests when necessary,' he said. 'If China... sneezes, it affects us,' Prof Borquez told ST, adding: 'I would say that Chile's main issue with China is trade dependence.' Chile lacks leverage to demand things from China In 2021, State Grid Corp carried out a US$3 billion (S$3.8 billion) takeover of Compania General de Electricidad. PHOTO: CGE Questions were already raised about State Grid's takeover of CGE following prolonged power cuts in August 2024, which left hundreds of thousands of Chileans in the dark for hours. In February, it was reported that Italy's Enel – another major player in Chile's energy sector – and CGE settled drastically different compensation sums for customers who lost food and appliances in daily disruptions because of energy fluctuations. While Enel Distribucion reportedly agreed to pay US$17.9 million to its 801,141 affected households, CGE pledged to pay just US$8.4 million to 881,965 households, according to America Economia, one of Latin America's leading business magazines. The Italian government holds a majority stake in Enel. Some experts perceive this disparity as an example of Chile's failure to go after companies linked to China. 'The Chilean state, not being particularly influential on the global scale, doesn't have much leverage to demand things from China,' Chilean economist Andres Irarrazaval, who is a lecturer at the London School of Economics, told ST. 'There is kind of a reluctance to push too much on Chinese companies because of the dependence. This is particularly true for Chinese companies which are very much embedded with the Chinese government,' he said. Are copper and lithium Chile's bargaining chips or double-edged swords? A truck being loaded with concentrated brine at SQM lithium mine at the Atacama salt flat in Chile's Antofagasta region. PHOTO: REUTERS Unlike other developing Latin American countries, however, Chile does have a bargaining chip in its relationship with China. Both Prof Urdinez and Prof Borquez point to Chile's vast lithium and copper reserves as means of leverage with China. 'To a certain extent, it's an interdependence because those (companies in China)... need the resources we're selling to them,' said Prof Borquez, noting that lithium is needed for electric vehicles and copper for China's manufacturing and construction sectors. Chile is the world's top exporter of copper and the second-largest lithium producer after Australia. As competition hots up for the raw materials that propel artificial intelligence development and pressure mounts for countries to make the transition to sustainable energy, Chile's position will make it a 'focal point in the broader US-China technological competition', said Prof Urdinez. However, even with current copper shortages driving up prices, Chile could miss out on playing a strong hand with other copper-importing countries. Prof Urdinez pointed to the high concentration of the country's exports in strategic sectors such as copper and lithium, which could limit 'Chile's room for manoeuvre when political tensions arise'. For instance, if the US sanctions countries that sell minerals to non-Western nations, Chile's copper trade with China could be severely curtailed, he warned. Rebecca Johns is a reporter at Latin America Reports, which has a focus on Chilean affairs. Her journalistic work has been featured in The Edinburgh Inquirer and The Latin Times (from the International Business Times), among others. Jim Glade is the managing editor at Latin America Reports, an English-language digital news publication that covers Latin America and contextualises the region's role in global affairs. He is based in Colombia and his reporting has been featured in Rolling Stone, The Atlantic, Al Jazeera, The Independent and The Bogota Post, among others. Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Miami Herald
13-06-2025
- Business
- Miami Herald
Chile's defense policy shift carries high costs
SANTIAGO, Chile, June 13 (UPI) -- President Gabriel Boric's plan to replace Israel as Chile's primary arms supplier presents logistical and strategic challenges for the country's armed forces. Chile's president has sharply criticized Israel's military actions in Gaza. In his recent state of the nation address, he supported Spain's proposal for an arms embargo on Israel "to prevent more children from being killed." "I have instructed the defense minister to quickly present a plan to diversify our defense trade relationships so we can stop relying on Israeli industry in all areas," Boric said. Since 1977, Chile has purchased more than $850 million worth of Israeli weapons, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. By 1989, Israel supplied 42.5% of Chile's total weapon imports. During Sebastián Piñera's administration, Chile signed new agreements with Israel covering weapons, security technology and cybersecurity. The path toward supplier diversification is complex. Chile's armed forces maintain a significant inventory of Israeli-made equipment. Changing suppliers requires a transition process that could affect existing system interoperability. Integrating new platforms and technologies from multiple sources takes time, training and often costly modifications to ensure systems from different countries can operate together efficiently. This is especially critical in joint operations, where compatibility between communications gear, navigation systems and weapons is essential. Experts say replacing deeply integrated Israeli systems could weaken Chile's overall operational capability. "The relationship with an arms supplier goes far beyond the initial purchase. It involves agreements for logistical support, spare parts, long-term maintenance and technological upgrades," said César Cereceda, a defense expert and president of the Association of Retired Armed Forces Personnel. Severing or weakening ties with an established supplier like Israel could disrupt the supply chain for critical parts, affecting the operation and availability of existing equipment. Trust and a strong support track record are crucial in military technology procurement, Cereceda added. Military equipment also requires highly trained personnel for operation and maintenance. Changing suppliers means training troops on new systems, requiring investments in time and resources. Chile may consider Brazil, Turkey and India as new suppliers, but it must first evaluate whether their products meet the country's specific defense needs. Brazil has a developing defense industry focused on land systems, aircraft and some naval platforms. While it has made progress, its technology may not match Israel's level of sophistication, particularly in high-tech sectors. Turkey's defense industry has expanded rapidly in recent years, making notable advances in drones, armored vehicles and naval systems. Its development has been impressive, but it has yet to fully consolidate as a comprehensive supplier. India's large industrial base and its ambitious "Made in India" policy are key strengths in its bid to become a defense supplier. However, it still relies heavily on foreign technology for complex systems, and its ability to export advanced weapons at scale remains limited. "Chile's defense policy has long focused on diversifying strategic acquisitions," said Gabriel Gaspar, an international analyst and former deputy defense secretary. He noted that the armed forces operate German armored vehicles, ships from the U.K., Australia and the Netherlands and U.S.-made F-16 fighter jets. "All of these supply lines rely on NATO-standard technology, offering broad compatibility -- from calibers to communication systems," Gaspar said. "Switching to a different line of weaponry is always possible, but it requires long-term policy and funding." The cost of replacing existing technology could range from $15 billion to $20 billion, according to estimates by Fernando Wilson, an analyst at Chile's Adolfo Ibáñez University. Reducing dependence on a single supplier would strengthen Chile's strategic autonomy and reduce its vulnerability to potential embargoes or shifts in bilateral relations. Exploring new markets would allow Chile to access different technologies and approaches in the defense industry, potentially strengthening its long-term military capabilities. However, experts say a complete switch in suppliers and the replacement of all Israeli technology and systems currently in use could come at a very high cost. Copyright 2025 UPI News Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Chile's defense policy shift carries high costs
SANTIAGO, Chile, June 13 (UPI) -- President Gabriel Boric's plan to replace Israel as Chile's primary arms supplier presents logistical and strategic challenges for the country's armed forces. Chile's president has sharply criticized Israel's military actions in Gaza. In his recent state of the nation address, he supported Spain's proposal for an arms embargo on Israel "to prevent more children from being killed." "I have instructed the defense minister to quickly present a plan to diversify our defense trade relationships so we can stop relying on Israeli industry in all areas," Boric said. Since 1977, Chile has purchased more than $850 million worth of Israeli weapons, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. By 1989, Israel supplied 42.5% of Chile's total weapon imports. During Sebastián Piñera's administration, Chile signed new agreements with Israel covering weapons, security technology and cybersecurity. The path toward supplier diversification is complex. Chile's armed forces maintain a significant inventory of Israeli-made equipment. Changing suppliers requires a transition process that could affect existing system interoperability. Integrating new platforms and technologies from multiple sources takes time, training and often costly modifications to ensure systems from different countries can operate together efficiently. This is especially critical in joint operations, where compatibility between communications gear, navigation systems and weapons is essential. Experts say replacing deeply integrated Israeli systems could weaken Chile's overall operational capability. "The relationship with an arms supplier goes far beyond the initial purchase. It involves agreements for logistical support, spare parts, long-term maintenance and technological upgrades," said César Cereceda, a defense expert and president of the Association of Retired Armed Forces Personnel. Severing or weakening ties with an established supplier like Israel could disrupt the supply chain for critical parts, affecting the operation and availability of existing equipment. Trust and a strong support track record are crucial in military technology procurement, Cereceda added. Military equipment also requires highly trained personnel for operation and maintenance. Changing suppliers means training troops on new systems, requiring investments in time and resources. Chile may consider Brazil, Turkey and India as new suppliers, but it must first evaluate whether their products meet the country's specific defense needs. Brazil has a developing defense industry focused on land systems, aircraft and some naval platforms. While it has made progress, its technology may not match Israel's level of sophistication, particularly in high-tech sectors. Turkey's defense industry has expanded rapidly in recent years, making notable advances in drones, armored vehicles and naval systems. Its development has been impressive, but it has yet to fully consolidate as a comprehensive supplier. India's large industrial base and its ambitious "Made in India" policy are key strengths in its bid to become a defense supplier. However, it still relies heavily on foreign technology for complex systems, and its ability to export advanced weapons at scale remains limited. "Chile's defense policy has long focused on diversifying strategic acquisitions," said Gabriel Gaspar, an international analyst and former deputy defense secretary. He noted that the armed forces operate German armored vehicles, ships from the U.K., Australia and the Netherlands and U.S.-made F-16 fighter jets. "All of these supply lines rely on NATO-standard technology, offering broad compatibility -- from calibers to communication systems," Gaspar said. "Switching to a different line of weaponry is always possible, but it requires long-term policy and funding." The cost of replacing existing technology could range from $15 billion to $20 billion, according to estimates by Fernando Wilson, an analyst at Chile's Adolfo Ibáñez University. Reducing dependence on a single supplier would strengthen Chile's strategic autonomy and reduce its vulnerability to potential embargoes or shifts in bilateral relations. Exploring new markets would allow Chile to access different technologies and approaches in the defense industry, potentially strengthening its long-term military capabilities. However, experts say a complete switch in suppliers and the replacement of all Israeli technology and systems currently in use could come at a very high cost.
UPI
13-06-2025
- Business
- UPI
Chile's defense policy shift carries high costs
The Chilean armed forces rely on U.S.-made F-16 fighters. File photo by Marco Mesina/EPA-EFE SANTIAGO, Chile, June 13 (UPI) -- President Gabriel Boric's plan to replace Israel as Chile's primary arms supplier presents logistical and strategic challenges for the country's armed forces. Chile's president has sharply criticized Israel's military actions in Gaza. In his recent state of the nation address, he supported Spain's proposal for an arms embargo on Israel "to prevent more children from being killed." "I have instructed the defense minister to quickly present a plan to diversify our defense trade relationships so we can stop relying on Israeli industry in all areas," Boric said. Since 1977, Chile has purchased more than $850 million worth of Israeli weapons, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. By 1989, Israel supplied 42.5% of Chile's total weapon imports. During Sebastián Piñera's administration, Chile signed new agreements with Israel covering weapons, security technology and cybersecurity. The path toward supplier diversification is complex. Chile's armed forces maintain a significant inventory of Israeli-made equipment. Changing suppliers requires a transition process that could affect existing system interoperability. Integrating new platforms and technologies from multiple sources takes time, training and often costly modifications to ensure systems from different countries can operate together efficiently. This is especially critical in joint operations, where compatibility between communications gear, navigation systems and weapons is essential. Experts say replacing deeply integrated Israeli systems could weaken Chile's overall operational capability. "The relationship with an arms supplier goes far beyond the initial purchase. It involves agreements for logistical support, spare parts, long-term maintenance and technological upgrades," said César Cereceda, a defense expert and president of the Association of Retired Armed Forces Personnel. Severing or weakening ties with an established supplier like Israel could disrupt the supply chain for critical parts, affecting the operation and availability of existing equipment. Trust and a strong support track record are crucial in military technology procurement, Cereceda added. Military equipment also requires highly trained personnel for operation and maintenance. Changing suppliers means training troops on new systems, requiring investments in time and resources. Chile may consider Brazil, Turkey and India as new suppliers, but it must first evaluate whether their products meet the country's specific defense needs. Brazil has a developing defense industry focused on land systems, aircraft and some naval platforms. While it has made progress, its technology may not match Israel's level of sophistication, particularly in high-tech sectors. Turkey's defense industry has expanded rapidly in recent years, making notable advances in drones, armored vehicles and naval systems. Its development has been impressive, but it has yet to fully consolidate as a comprehensive supplier. India's large industrial base and its ambitious "Made in India" policy are key strengths in its bid to become a defense supplier. However, it still relies heavily on foreign technology for complex systems, and its ability to export advanced weapons at scale remains limited. "Chile's defense policy has long focused on diversifying strategic acquisitions," said Gabriel Gaspar, an international analyst and former deputy defense secretary. He noted that the armed forces operate German armored vehicles, ships from the U.K., Australia and the Netherlands and U.S.-made F-16 fighter jets. "All of these supply lines rely on NATO-standard technology, offering broad compatibility -- from calibers to communication systems," Gaspar said. "Switching to a different line of weaponry is always possible, but it requires long-term policy and funding." The cost of replacing existing technology could range from $15 billion to $20 billion, according to estimates by Fernando Wilson, an analyst at Chile's Adolfo Ibáñez University. Reducing dependence on a single supplier would strengthen Chile's strategic autonomy and reduce its vulnerability to potential embargoes or shifts in bilateral relations. Exploring new markets would allow Chile to access different technologies and approaches in the defense industry, potentially strengthening its long-term military capabilities. However, experts say a complete switch in suppliers and the replacement of all Israeli technology and systems currently in use could come at a very high cost.
