COLUMN | President Kast, maximum security, and necessary attention to other matters

In the art of governance, it is important to focus on essential issues, leaving non-essential matters to others or giving them only the importance they deserve.

It is noteworthy that José Antonio Kast, in his early days as President-elect, visited Argentina and Ecuador, plans to go to Peru in January, and that President Paz of Bolivia will attend the change of command in March 2026. Neighborhood relations are always a priority in the foreign policy of a country like Chile, especially when the complex situation of public security is shared with many of them, necessitating a joint effort against transnational organized crime and the negative aspects of Venezuelan immigration.

In the art of governance, it is important to focus on essential issues, leaving non-essential matters to others or giving them only the importance they deserve. In present-day Chile, only public security and economic recovery hold the status of primary concerns. These are issues that require maximum effort, while other matters receive only what is necessary.

Clearly, there will be those who want their issues, if they are not security and the economy, to receive some attention. Ministers, undersecretaries, senators, deputies, and regional governors, to name a few, will want to push their agendas, testing the administration’s ability to focus its efforts on the emergencies that underpinned the successful campaign that brought José Antonio Kast to La Moneda.

Having passed more than a week since the victorious Sunday of December 14, perhaps it is time to be more explicit regarding the public security strategy, as well as the team that will lead it. Many are calling for more clarity on this, the declared main priority of the President-elect. They want to see what they voted for. They understand the general idea behind the security strategy, but they lack a strategy that defines objectives, means, and methods of use, known as “ways, means and ends.” They want to see if it goes beyond the border and the Macrozona Sur, and if it addresses the daily security of the average Chilean citizen, which affects them and is the reason they voted massively for Kast and not Jara.

Obviously, it helps to continue having the support of elected senators Rodolfo Carter and General Cristian Vial, as well as elected deputy General Enrique Bassaletti, who currently make up the public security team of the Republicans. However, it is logical that they support from their respective Senate and Chamber committees the efforts made to ensure that Chile becomes a safer country. In this columnist’s opinion, it is not a good idea for any of them to resign to lead security efforts, as they are well positioned where they are.

I will not suggest names for the Ministry of Public Security or the respective regional secretariats. For that, the Republicans have a very good team seeking the most appropriate individuals. Those knowledgeable about the subject know who is capable, who has technical and political skills, who are good communicators, and who could successfully develop and implement a strategy that addresses everything from municipal security to insurgents in the Macrozona Sur, including common criminals, organized crime, transnational crime, prisons, the intelligence system, and all the elements that make up the public security ecosystem, as well as the problems that need to be addressed.

I wish you all a very Merry Christmas, and a prosperous and secure Chile!