Chile’s Unified Front Against Crime Showcases President Boric’s Commitment to Security

Chilean President Gabriel Boric reaffirms the fight against crime as a state policy, emphasizing a collaborative approach among all state institutions to safeguard the nation’s peace and security.

Addressing Crime on a National Scale

In a significant move to address the rising concerns of crime and organized violence within Chile, President Gabriel Boric has taken a firm stance, reminding the nation that combatting criminal activities extends beyond the confines of government responsibility and constitutes a fundamental state policy.

This declaration came following the first National Security Council (Cosena) meeting of his tenure, a consultative body comprising representatives from the three branches of the state: the armed forces, the police, and the comptroller general. The assembly underscores a collective effort to fortify the nation’s stance against crime, with a clear message that normalization of such activities will not be tolerated on Chilean soil.

The council convened to discuss the implementation of the critical infrastructure law, passed a year ago, aimed at enabling the armed forces to protect essential service facilities and their surrounding areas in exceptional circumstances. This law represents a strategic pivot towards ensuring that all neighborhoods and streets remain safe from the nefarious influences of organized crime, focusing on safeguarding the citizenry’s daily lives.

Boric’s administration is clearly articulating a vision where eradicating organized crime and restoring peace and freedom to Chilean families are paramount. This comprehensive approach signifies a departure from mere governmental strategy to a broader state objective, aligning all institutions under a unified vision to confront criminality decisively. The President emphasized the singular goal of the state to allow individuals to live without fear, free from the violence that has plagued various sectors of the capital in recent months.

Multifaceted Strategy

The initiative to combat crime, as outlined by Boric, is not limited to law enforcement and military intervention. It encompasses a multifaceted strategy that includes intelligence operations to dismantle organized crime bands, community interventions in neighborhoods focusing on cultural and sports activities, and bolstering police forces to ensure their capability to protect the community.

The President’s call to action resonates with a broader societal need for reclaiming public spaces, allowing families and neighbors to engage freely without the looming threat of violence. This vision for a safer Chile reflects a deep understanding of the complexities involved in combatting crime, recognizing the need for a balanced approach that addresses the root causes of criminality while ensuring the immediate safety of the population.

Boric’s stance on security, particularly in the context of the Cosena meeting, marks a pivotal moment in Chile’s contemporary political landscape. This meeting, held amidst criticisms from members of the government coalition, notably the Communist Party, due to Cosena’s controversial role during the dictatorship era, has been lauded by Boric as a step forward in unifying the country against crime. It demonstrates a commitment to moving from a government-led strategy to a state-wide effort involving all institutions and the community.

Resonating Call to Action

The President’s comprehensive security strategy, articulated in the presence of the Ministers of Interior and Defense, Carolina Toha and Maya Fernández, respectively, is a bold declaration of the state’s duty to protect its citizens. It also verifies that the administration is actively improving security measures at ports and borders, highlighting the timely nature of these efforts.

Chile’s last Cosena meeting, called by former President Sebastián Piñera during the “social outbreak” of 2019, a period marked by intense, widespread protests and violent repression, left a deep scar on the society. Despite Chile’s reputation as one of the most stable and secure countries in Latin America, there has been a noticeable increase in the public’s perception of insecurity, driven by the emergence of organized crime groups involved in drug, weapon, and human trafficking.

A Critical Juncture for Chile

President Boric’s recent initiative signifies a critical juncture in Chile’s approach to national security, offering a holistic and united strategy to combat the multifaceted challenges of crime and violence. By emphasizing the role of culture, sports, and community engagement in fostering a peaceful society, alongside the necessary legal and military measures, Boric’s administration is laying the groundwork for a safer, more secure Chile. This commitment to security, articulated through a collaborative state policy, sets a precedent for addressing crime not only as a matter of law enforcement but as a societal issue that requires the collective effort of all state institutions and the community.

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As Chile navigates the complexities of ensuring national security amidst the lingering shadows of its authoritarian past, the Boric administration’s approach offers a hopeful path forward. By rallying the entire state apparatus and society against the specters of crime and violence, Chile aspires to reclaim its public spaces, restore peace to its neighborhoods, and reaffirm its citizens’ fundamental rights to tranquility, freedom, and peace. This unified stance against crime articulated through the lens of state policy, underscores Chile’s resolve to confront and overcome the challenges that threaten its societal fabric.