Kast, Prat, and the Heroes of La Concepción

As an appropriate tribute to the 141 sailors of the Esmeralda, the 77 from the Chacabuco, and the military, sailors, aviators, and police who have given their lives for Chile, it would be fitting and commendable for President Kast and his Ministers of National Defense and Public Security to take the oath of allegiance on July 9, 2026.

Tomorrow May 21 we celebrate the Day of the Naval Glories of the Chilean Navy. 147 years ago in the bay of Iquique, Arturo Prat boarded the enemy ship, dying on the deck of the Huáscar. Along with the young commander, 140 other Chilean sailors perished, with only 60 of the Esmeralda’s crew surviving.

On the upcoming July 9 and 10 144 years will have passed since 77 soldiers from the 4th company of the 6th line battalion Chacabuco, under the command of Captain Ignacio Carrera Pinto gave their lives for Chile in the Battle of La Concepción. No one survived; all perished.

The aforementioned military actions are the most glorious in Chile’s history. We celebrate them as the most significant in our national history, to the extent that, in the case of the Chilean Army, July 9 is the day each year when new soldiers take the oath of allegiance, something that sailors, aviators, and police do upon graduating into service.

The oath of allegiance, although not exactly the same, was first taken by Bernardo O’Higgins on February 12, 1818, as part of Chile’s declaration of independence. Since 1929, the date has been July 9, linking the oath to the heroism of the 77 from the 4th company of the Chacabuco.

The President of the Republic of Chile, upon assuming the presidency, swears or promises to faithfully perform the duties of President of the Republic, to preserve the independence of the nation, and to uphold and enforce the Constitution and the laws. His ministers swear to faithfully perform the duties of Minister of State.

The text of the oath of allegiance taken by the Armed Forces of Chile states:

I, (rank and name of the oath-taker) swear,

by God and by this flag,

to serve my homeland faithfully,

whether at sea, on land, or anywhere,

even to the point of giving my life if necessary,

to fulfill my military duties and obligations

in accordance with the laws and regulations in force,

to promptly and punctually obey

the orders of my superiors,

and to strive to be

a brave, honorable, and patriotic (soldier, sailor, or aviator).

Carabineros de Chile and the PDI take a similar oath or promise upon graduation or shortly before doing so.

As an appropriate tribute to the 141 sailors of the Esmeralda, the 77 from the Chacabuco, and the military, sailors, aviators, and police who have given their lives for Chile, it would be fitting and commendable for President Kast and his Ministers of National Defense and Public Security to take the oath of allegiance on July 9, 2026. They are the ones in the chain of command of those who swear or promise to give their lives if necessary. I can think of no more republican and patriotic tribute than for those in command to lead by example, taking the same oath that military and police take for Chile.

This is more than a nice gesture; it is an oath and a commitment from those who would be willing to share the same fate as their subordinates, even to the point of giving their lives if necessary.