Chile Pulls Out Of Dakar 2016 As Government Allocates Funding To Flood Relief

Chile's government confirmed that the 2016 Dakar Rally will not pass through the country, according to OLÉ. The reason is that President Michelle Bachelet's government will "use its resources to repair damages" that have been caused by recent flooding in northern Chile. There have been 26 deaths, 150 disappearances and "infinite material damage" from the recent floods. Driver Jeremías Israel said after learning of the decision, "It is a shame, because on one hand the event has created a good image of Chile globally," but he recognized that "the priority now is helping northern Chile recover." Israel: "As a Chilean, it is the best decision that could have been taken. Now we have to support the people of the north." One possibility for the race in '16 is that Uruguay "could be added to the map." Argentina, Bolivia and Perú "expect the confirmation of the competition" (OLÉ, 4/8).