SANTIAGO (AP) — A Civil Aeronautics Directorate security guard and a criminal were killed Wednesday in a shootout at the Chilean capital’s international airport when assailants tried to steal $32 million.
The head of Aeronautics, General Raúl Jorquera, clarified that the theft was foiled by the organization’s security personnel.
President Gabriel Boric hinted at the assault during a speech and said security is a priority “and when there is insecurity, everything else falters”.
Rising gun violence in criminal acts is one of the issues facing the president that has led to a drop in his approval rating, according to coincident polls.
The attempted theft took place in the morning when a group of about ten people in various vehicles entered the terminal through the unloading area after knocking down the bars, beating up a guard and stealing his weapon.