The number of "punctures" and robberies of Argentines in Chile has quadrupled: these are the most dangerous areas

Beyond the low prices, one negative aspect that stood out in Chile 's 2025 summer season was the increase in crime , with Argentines as its main victims. Now, the Argentine consulate in the Valparaíso region shared the results of a crime map with the most dangerous areas and a fact that confirms the meager outlook: the number of reported episodes of insecurity quadrupled compared to January 2024.

Last month, almost 194 thousand Argentine tourists entered Chile through the Los Libertadores pass, 126% more than in the same month in 2024.

"It must be acknowledged that in January of last year, there were few citizens who came to the consulate to request their documents because they lost them in the context of a robbery. On average, a little less than 100 cases," recalled the Consul General of Argentina in Valparaíso, Sebastián Molteni , in conversation with Emol .

An application shows that out of 13 beaches in Viña del Mar only 2 are suitable for swimming

That number rose to 400 cases last January. "For the thief, the car of an Argentine tourist is very attractive . He knows that the person comes with foreign currency to exchange and buy, that sometimes he has items that he bought; there are even very imprudent people who go to the beach with their suitcases in the car because they have already checked out and suffer theft in that situation," explained the consul.

During the summer, the modus operandi of the criminals most frequently used was the "puncture" method. "Many people come because of thefts suffered through the puncture method, where, upon noticing that a tire has been punctured, the person gets out of the vehicle and someone very friendly, generally very well dressed, approaches them to 'help' them. And in the context of this 'help' they steal their belongings," he lamented.

A gang that tried to rob two women from Mendoza in Chile using the "punchazo" technique was arrested

According to Molteni, the map they studied based on the complaints showed that the greatest number of criminal episodes occurred " from El Membrillo cove, along Altamirano Avenue, to the Punta Ángeles lighthouse. In Viña del Mar , everything that is the coastal sector , Las Salinas , Roca Oceánica . There, what there is more is broken glass: the person left the car to go take a photo of the coast, they break the glass and steal their belongings. We also have problems on the Troncal Sur ."

This highway to Viña is among the places with the most crimes because "as soon as the person passes the first toll, there is a flat tire and theft occurs. Another typical traditional place is Curauma , near the gas stations and McDonald's, where cars are marked and then stolen. And another emblematic site is the Concón Roundabout . We have passed this information on to the local authorities so that they are aware of it."

The Argentine authorities in Chile also warned that "there is also vehicle theft , it does not always happen, but there are many. And sometimes alarm jammers are used to open the car."

Argentine in Reñaca, Chile

Courtesy / Agency One

Aware of the strictness of Chilean customs, the Argentine consul in Valparaíso also pointed out that a possible solution to the long waits at the border crossing is the option of random checks when there are many vehicles waiting to cross the mountain range.

" The World Customs Organization recommends random inspection . It is not an exhaustive, car-by-car inspection, but rather one in which some vehicles are separated from the line and are subjected to thorough checks (...) Chile does this inspection not randomly, but exhaustively, and examines each one of the vehicles," he said.

"I think it's a good idea to have all the necessary controls, but in a context of long lines of people, we should take another approach or consider the possibility of further staff reinforcement," added the consul.