Amazon Web Services has announced a historic agreement that is about to permanently change the landscape of digital infrastructure within Chile. The technology giant is about to open its very first full cloud region within this South American nation, which is a historic turning point in the development of technology within this part of the world. This is one of the biggest foreign technology investments in the history of this nation.
AWS South America region plans 2026 opening dates
Amazon Web Services is expected to invest over $4 billion from February this year until the end of 2026 for the establishment, interconnection, operation, and maintenance of its data centers across Chile. The new AWS South America Region, based in Chile, is expected to be opened and will have three Availability Zones at its inception, contributing to its present Availability Zones of 114, spread across its 36 AWS worldwide locations.
According to Prasad Kalyanaraman, vice president of Infrastructure Services at AWS, this investment is of high value to AWS because, as he explained:
“The AWS South America (Chile) Region will help address the growing demand for cloud services in Latin America and Chile, and we’re thrilled that this region will be powered by AWS’ commitment to sustainability, reliability, and innovation.”
AWS would be offering advanced technology, such as AI and machine learning solutions of high value for growth and innovation.
Additionally, a statement from Chile’s Minister of Science, Technology, Knowledge, and Innovation, Aisén Etcheverry Escudero, appreciated this investment as proof that the country is adopting technology-friendly policies. In fact, through the National Data Center Plan, Chile has managed to create a scenario that encourages technology firms and enables them to develop and grow operations in the country.
Amazon’s systematic Chilean infrastructure development spans multiple years
Amazon has been expanding its presence in Chile since 2019, starting with an edge location for Amazon CloudFront, then AWS Ground Station in Punta Arenas, and AWS Outposts in 2021. In 2023, AWS opened an AWS Direct Connect point of presence and launched a Local Zone in Santiago, marking a focused strategy of expanding its market reach across the country over several years. This was followed by securing approval for two projects totaling $205 million for two data center projects in Santiago in 2024.
The AWS South America (Chile) Region is projected to use air-cooled solutions, with water usage projected to amount to four percent of our total annual usage across our operations. An eco-friendly design like this is aligned with Amazon’s commitment to reaching net-zero carbon consumption by 2040, through its Climate Pledge.
Strategic positioning makes markets in Latin America more accessible
This region is also intended to assist businesses, whether start-ups or corporations, and non-profit organizations within Latin America. Amongst those organizations that currently employ AWS services within this region are big business entities such as Banco de Chile, LATAM Airlines, Coca-Cola Andina, and many more, which have already embraced cloud computing technology during their digital transformation initiatives.
This investment also includes training and development within human resources to upscale expertise by making use of AWS Academy, Education, and Skills Building Initiatives. This investment sets Chile apart as one of the future hubs within which digital transformation initiatives will take place on this continent.
Amazon’s overall strategy encompasses not only heavily investing in infrastructure but also including comprehensive educational programs within Amazon’s human capital, marking a beginning to make long-term technological developments on a mass level. This overall level of mass investing to the tune of $4 billion signifies more than an investment within these realms—it signifies trust in Chile’s capability to lead this technological forefront on this continent called Latin America.
