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LATIN AMERICA ADVISOR

LATIN AMERICA ADVISOR

A daily publication Of the dialogue

January 9, 2025

Will a New Security Ministry Help Make Chile Safer?

Chile’s Congress last month approved the establishment of a new Public Security Ministry. Two people arrested last year on drug charges in the city of Vallenar are pictured. // File Photo: Chilean Government.

Q

  • Chile’s Congress on Dec. 4 approved the creation of a Public Security Ministry, which the government hopes will lead to improved security in the country, where crime rates have increased in recent years. Chile’s homicide rate soared 30 percent in the first half of this year as compared to the same period in 2019, though it was down 9 percent as compared to the first half of 2023, according to the office of the Undersecretary for Crime Prevention. To what extent will the Public Security Ministry be able to make Chile safer? Why have crime rates risen in Chile in recent years? What are the biggest challenges Chile faces in its fight against crime?

A

Mariano Machado, Americas principal analyst at Verisk Maplecroft: “A chaotic political environment was bound to compound Chile’s security challenges. Although the country’s overall performance in our proprietary Crime Index has steadily declined since the fourth quarter of 2019, our subnational data shows much more acute regional disparities. In particular, the fact that the worst score drops are taking place in the northernmost parts of the country— particularly in Tarapacá—speaks volumes about an unchecked insecurity situation that has spread into other regions. As security has risen among voters’ concerns, Boric has come under pressure to deliver tangible progress and restore public confidence. Pollster Cadem’s surveys consistently show that a vast majority of respondents feel that his government’s main priority should be…”

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The Inter-American Dialogue publishes the Latin America Advisor every business day for a distinguished membership of informed corporate leaders, scholars, and government officials invested in Latin America’s development and future. The Advisor‘s highly regarded Q&A section covers questions submitted by subscribers themselves. Commentators regularly include heads of state, business leaders, diplomats, economists, analysts, and thought leaders from around the world. Many of the world’s largest and fastest-growing companies subscribe to the Advisor. To subscribe, click here. For terms and conditions, click here. For more information, contact Gene Kuleta, editor of the Advisor, at gkuleta@thedialogue.org.
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