Security as a Priority

The primary concern of Chileans is the internal security of the country. Justifying this in light of the recent murders of police officers, assaults at Santiago airport, or narco-funerals in Valparaíso is unnecessary.

The problem is so urgent that it requires urgent solutions, and attempting to trivialize its severity, its effects on the country’s image, or on the quality of life of citizens is irresponsible.

Therefore, it does not seem irrational for the Executive to send a strong signal that guides the actions of the branches of government and the Government itself in search of comprehensive solutions. Consequently, it is suggested to consider some of the following actions:

• Urgently issue a Presidential Directive for the Internal Security of the Republic. This type of Directive, which also exists for External Security, should be executive and inter-ministerial in coordination, under the direct leadership of the Ministry of the Interior and Public Security.
• The document should be public regarding its main actions so that the country is informed about how the Executive Power will address the problem and for the traceability of the measures adopted. The cooperation of the Ministry of Defense is useful in the planning process, given that this ministry is a source of planning of the same type and scope, with significant experiences in this regard.
• In coordination with the Judiciary and the Public Ministry, propose “as a matter of utmost urgency” the necessary modifications to the legal framework to adapt it to the new security reality of the country, complementing what is being done in Congress. I believe there is consensus that it is no longer feasible to apply protective norms that have proven ineffective in deterring criminal actions, and if a change to the Criminal Procedure Code is required in the medium term, it should be evaluated. This way, citizens, police, Congress, and judges will finally empathize with each other, which is beneficial for the country.
• In coordination with the Police and the Public Ministry, prioritize the resources needed to modernize the State’s security management. There are powerful technological tools in the world that exist in limited form in our country and that allow for the optimization of limited human resources. One of these tools is the much-needed integration of existing databases.
• Create task forces under the guidance of presidential delegates, integrating prosecutors, Carabineros, the Investigative Police, Customs, and other state entities, to address the most serious problems, streamlining management, coordination, prevention, and response. The intention is for the State to shift from a reactive attitude to an offensive one, beginning to recover lost time.

Chile’s mandate is desperate and cannot be ignored without a cost to the legitimacy of those responsible. Is there really anyone in the country who believes that the security problem can wait or that it is not urgent to resolve? The patience of the people has a limit, and I do not think it is wise to experiment with it.

Alberto Soto
Collaborator at AthenaLab
APRIL 5, 2023