Atacama desert

The region’s largest annual air-force drill, Salitre 2026, began in Chile’s Atacama Desert, featuring warplanes, tankers, and transport aircraft from multiple countries. The exercise is part of the weekly Latin America Defense Monitor report.

SQM-Codelco Venture is working to increase lithium production in Chile's Atacama Desert. The venture focuses on a brine pool at a Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile (SQM) lithium mine located on the Atacama salt flat.

Six nations are participating in a major air force exercise in Chile's Atacama desert starting June 27. The event is described as the largest combined air drill in South America this year.