Chilean President Kast announces constitutional reform on security, vows action against organized crime

Chilean President José Antonio Kast announced a significant constitutional reform aimed at bolstering national security and enhancing the fight against organized crime. Speaking from the presidential palace, Kast declared that the reform would unequivocally establish protecting citizens' safety as a fundamental duty of the state, thereby creating a more expansive legal framework and equipping authorities with more potent tools.

This initiative follows the recent parliamentary approval of Kast's controversial tax and economic reform. The President emphasized that this constitutional mandate would be binding on all future governments, regardless of their political affiliation. He instructed the Minister of Security, Martín Arrau, to work with Congress to expedite measures under the "Agenda against Organized Crime and Terrorism" (ACOT), expressing hope for approval before Christmas.

Kast highlighted the pervasive threat of organized crime, noting the presence of over ten transnational organizations operating within Chile. He outlined specific measures, including making membership in a criminal organization a standalone offense with aggravated penalties. Additionally, actions like illegally blocking streets, using vehicles for obstruction, or recruiting minors for criminal activities will be met with the full force of the law, without mitigating circumstances.

The President also detailed the Ministry of Public Security's operational plan, which focuses on prevention, territorial control, and institutional strengthening. He asserted that preliminary results are already emerging from these efforts, which target entire criminal organizations, their leadership, territories, and finances, rather than isolated incidents.