“It is not democratic”: Plot against White reignites debate over warrantless wiretaps

The planned assassination of Mayor Christopher White has put Chile’s security agenda back at the center of congressional debate. The attack attributed to the group’s alleged planner, known as “Indio Juan,” has also opened a new dispute over how far the government should go in fighting organized crime and terrorism.

Three security bills advanced in Congress this week. One, described as “Antibarricades 2.0,” targets barricade-related offenses. Another would increase penalties for attacks on police officers. The third would amend the Criminal Procedure Code and the National DNA Registry Law to speed up criminal investigations.

The broader constitutional security reform remains paused. That measure forms a central part of the government’s Agenda Against Organized Crime and Terrorism, known as ACOT, which includes a proposed new state of emergency and 28 bills.

The planned attack on White has intensified the confrontation between the executive branch and the opposition over one of those proposals: allowing telephone wiretaps without prior judicial authorization. Critics have described the measure as undemocratic. Metropolitan presidential delegate Germán Codina visited White to express his support and called for a response to the security situation, although the supplied report ends before detailing his full remarks.

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It is not democratic