On Monday, June 15, 2026, following an investigation, Frank Sauerbaum, Director of the National Migration Service (SERMIG) in Chile, officially filed a complaint with the regional prosecutor's office of the Central-North Metropolitan Area. The complaint aims to clarify a possible case of child trafficking related to charter flights from Haiti that arrived in Chile between January and October 2025, revealing a highly complex institutional situation.

The Migration Agency submitted six documents containing technical evidence gathered during joint audits with the Comptroller General of the Republic and the Investigative Police.

The investigation revealed that at least 12 adults, both Chilean and foreign, repeatedly entered the country posing as chaperones for groups of 2 to 18 Haitian children and adolescents.

The seriousness of the situation stems from the fact that these individuals had no blood or family ties to the minors. Furthermore, it has been established that these individuals did not possess the authorizations required by Article 28 of the Immigration and Foreigners Law, a situation that constitutes a direct violation of the rights and best interests of children, potentially amounting to the offense of migrant smuggling, in accordance with Article 411 bis of the Penal Code.

The complaint highlights a shared responsibility and targets not only the accompanying adults, but also the airlines, travel agencies, and any other party that may be held liable.

The case is compounded by the fact that between January and April 2025, several flights arrived under the guise of family reunification. However, ongoing investigations have not been able to definitively determine the whereabouts of several minors who entered the country under this pretext, which calls into question the authorizations granted for these trips. The public prosecutor's office should order the necessary investigations to determine the extent of these networks and the final destination of the individuals involved.

S/ HaitiLibre