The Chilean government has suspended the construction project of a large high-voltage power line intended to connect Chile to Argentina, following a public appeal by actor Leonardo DiCaprio to protect a rare frog species, the Pehuenche frog, also known as the spiny-chested frog.

The actor used his social media channels to raise concern about the threat the infrastructure poses to the species' habitat, asking that the power line route be diverted. According to DiCaprio, the project in its current configuration could bring the Pehuenche frog to the brink of extinction, damaging the freshwater ecosystems where the species lives.

The Pehuenche frog is an amphibian endemic to a small mountainous area of central Chile, considered at risk of extinction by environmental organizations. The area affected by the power line project overlaps with part of its natural habitat, which prompted the concerns raised internationally.

The suspension of the project opens a phase of additional assessment by Chilean authorities. It is not yet known whether the route will be modified or whether the project will be subject to further environmental reviews before a final decision is made.