🇨🇱 Chile — Thursday, April 9, 2026
Highlights through the eyes of a long-term local resident.
Published — Apr 12, 5:13 AM (local) · Apr 12, 9:13 AM (UTC)
Editor · A mining industry entrepreneur based in Santiago for 3 years
Santiago
cloudy
Rain 10%
UV 4
A low pressure system might bring some rain and electrical storms to the cordillera this Friday, though the city should stay dry.
Lithium exports triple as inflation creeps higher
Lithium exports hit US$ 1.523 billion FOB in Q1 2026, nearly tripling last year's US$ 534 million thanks to solid pricing. However, the macro picture is cloudier: March CPI rose 1%, driven largely by gasoline costs. Experts are now warning that April could see another 1.5% jump, pushing annual inflation above the 4% threshold.
Editor's note
The lithium numbers are the bright spot we needed, but the pump prices are really starting to bite. Everyone I talk to in the sector is feeling the squeeze on logistics costs.
Minister Lincolao attacked at Universidad Austral
Science Minister Ximena Lincolao was assaulted by a group of students during an event at the Universidad Austral de Chile in Valdivia, leading to a three-hour lockdown. The government has filed a criminal complaint, and three students have been identified as ringleaders. President Kast has labeled the attack a 'before and after' moment for public safety, vowing that the perpetrators will not go unpunished.
Editor's note
It’s genuinely unsettling. Our universities are supposed to be hubs for debate, not places where you need to barricade ministers to keep them safe from physical violence.
State asset sell-off proposed to replenish sovereign funds
Mining Minister Daniel Mas and the government are exploring selling off state-owned properties—some held for over 150 years—to raise between US$ 200 and US$ 300 million. The goal is to restock Chile's sovereign wealth funds, though the Autonomous Fiscal Council (CFA) is urging a rigorous, plan-based approach to ensure long-term sustainability.
Editor's note
Selling off dormant land assets sounds like a sensible way to bridge the budget gap, but expect a political tug-of-war over which properties hit the block.
Violence flares in Arica and Antofagasta
Authorities are launching a plan to intervene in 152 high-risk neighborhoods, beginning with Cerro Chuño in Arica, where the Tren de Aragua gang has established a presence. Meanwhile, in Antofagasta, the Coloso campus of the Universidad de Antofagasta had to be evacuated yesterday after two individuals were spotted threatening students with firearms.
Editor's note
If you're operating out north, keep your security protocols tight. The situation in Arica is particularly concerning for local logistics.
Manuela Martelli heads to Cannes
Director Manuela Martelli has made history as the first Chilean filmmaker selected for the 'Un Certain Regard' section at Cannes 2026. Her second feature film, set in 1992, explores the disappearance of a German skier.
Editor's note
Finally, some good news for the local cultural scene. Martelli’s work has been consistently sharp; definitely one to watch on the festival circuit.
Reference Media: La Tercera