Local mayor gate crashes `Quantum of Solace` location filming, briefly detained

02-Apr-2008 • Quantum Of Solace

The production of the latest James Bond film may have captured an unexpected scene on camera Tuesday: the local mayor speeding onto the set in his truck to complain they failed to get his permission - according to AP wires.

Carlos Lopez briefly interrupted filming of "Quantum of Solace" and nearly ran over two people as he arrived at the train station in the mining town of Baquedano, 1,600 kilometers (995 miles) north of the capital, local media reports.

Baquedano belongs to the municipality of Sierra Gorda, population 2,300, where Lopez is mayor. Lopez claimed producers failed to ask permission to shoot in his community. He also said he opposed the filmmakers' plans to present the movie as taking place in Bolivia.

The mayor rejected a compensation offer of 300,000 pesos from the producers. He was detained briefly by police and released.

MI6 has learned that Lopez was held for three hours.

Yesterday, Lopez told local press, "I'm not going to stop they filming, only put to them that they inform me".

The mayor has complained about the shooting of the movie in his region, especially since it portrays the territory as part of Bolivia, which actually lost Antofagasta to Chile in a 1879-1883 war between the two neighbours.

Bolivia and Chile have not resumed diplomatic relations since.