Chilean President Jose Antonio Kast has announced an ambitious plan to overhaul the country's approach to organized crime, marking a significant shift in the nation's crime strategy. During a national address, Kast outlined a series of reforms aimed at combating criminal activities and strengthening the legal framework to better protect citizens.
Legislative Reforms to Strengthen the Fight Against Crime
Kast revealed that over 30 bills are already in Congress, designed to reshape how the country confronts organized crime. These legislative changes include harsher penalties for belonging to criminal organizations and specifically targeting those who recruit minors. Kast emphasized that additional bills will be introduced in the coming days to bolster the overall crime-fighting strategy.
Despite Chile being one of the safer countries in Latin America, the recent surge in crimes such as murders and kidnappings has raised concerns. Kast attributed the increase to the infiltration of foreign criminal groups, particularly from Venezuela's Tren de Aragua, which has exacerbated the security situation.
Constitutional Reform to Formalize Security Obligations
Kast also announced plans for a constitutional reform to formalize Chile's obligation to safeguard its citizens' security. By embedding this duty within the constitution, the government aims to create a more comprehensive framework for action and more effective tools to combat crime. Belonging to a criminal organization would be classified as a crime, carrying severe penalties.
The homicide rate in Chile has doubled over the past decade, reaching 5.4 per 100,000 inhabitants in 2025. This rise has prompted urgent action from the government, which has faced criticism for the slow progress in addressing the crime wave.
In response to the criticism, Kast took decisive action by requesting the resignation of his first security minister, Trinidad Steinert, after just 69 days in office. This move signals the president's commitment to swift and effective measures to tackle the crime issue.
