Chilean politician: Target money to fight organized crime

Raúl Soto, the new president of Chile's Party for Democracy (PPD) and a congressional representative, asserted that effectively combating organized crime hinges on disrupting its financial networks. His remarks followed an operation that dismantled a branch of the Tren de Aragua gang in Barrio Bellavista.

Soto highlighted the urgency of passing legislation to lift bank secrecy, a measure set for a Senate vote this Wednesday. He argued that this is the most effective way to strike at criminal organizations. "The only way to hit them hard, to dismantle these gangs, is by hitting them where it hurts most, which is by following the money trail, and to do that we need more tools," Soto stated.

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The only way to hit them hard, to dismantle these gangs, is by hitting them where it hurts most, which is by following the money trail, and to do that we need more tools.

He specifically called on President Gabriel Boric to publicly support and expedite the initiative. Soto believes the bill would grant the Financial Analysis Unit (UAF) greater authority to request information and identify potential illegal activities. "It is necessary that President Boric pronounces himself, gives his backing and urgency to this initiative," he said, emphasizing the need for enhanced capabilities for the UAF to detect possible illegalities.

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It is necessary that President Boric pronounces himself, gives his backing and urgency to this initiative.