Chile is going through a social and environmental crisis that is fracturing society. A wealthy country envied by its impoverished neighbours, it is undergoing a migratory crisis on an unprecedented scale. Shantytowns are multiplying. Insecurity and crime are exploding, creating unprecedented tensions in society. The long-privileged middle class finds itself caught between extremes.
Chile is little-known for being a country with colossal mineral wealth: the world’s leading producer of copper. The Atacama Desert is home to the world’s largest open-pit mine Chile also mines Lithium and Managanese, and holds some of the most productive salmon farms and marine resources in the world.
At the head of this economy are major industrial groups, most owned by old Chilean families. Some made their fortunes in the 70s, thanks to close ties with General Pinochet’s regime. Among these, the Perez Cruz family opened their doors to us. This family has a monopoly on gas distribution and embodies a small Chilean elite intent on defending traditional values.
Another concern is the effects of global warming and the pollution generated by the mining and textile industries, especially in a country with such a harsh climate. . In some regions, it no longer rains.