Chile Unveils Tough New Anti Crime Laws as Security Fears Grow

(Chile President, Jose Antonio Kast. Photo by News Central Tv)

Chilean President José Antonio Kast has announced his intention to pursue congressional approval for a comprehensive set of legislative reforms targeting organised crime, reviving a central promise from his election campaign to bolster security nationwide.

In a nationally televised address on Wednesday, Kast outlined plans to introduce measures that would expand state authority in combating criminal networks, particularly international organisations linked to escalating violent crime.

He indicated that over 30 bills some already under congressional consideration would fundamentally reshape Chile’s approach to organised crime enforcement, with additional proposals to follow in the coming weeks.

Chile ranks among Latin America’s safer nations, yet recent years have seen a marked rise in homicides and abductions.

Authorities have attributed part of this increase to the growing footprint of transnational criminal groups, including Venezuelan-based organisations.

Kast, a 60-year-old right-wing lawyer who assumed office in March, campaigned on pledges to launch a major security operation and tighten border controls.

His government faces mounting pressure to deliver rapid progress on crime reduction, with observers scrutinising the speed of his promised initiatives.

Homicides reached 5.4 deaths per 100,000 residents in 2025, approximately double the rate recorded ten years prior.

The president’s reform package includes a proposed constitutional amendment establishing the state’s obligation to safeguard citizen security.

He contended that the amendment would broaden governmental scope and furnish stronger legal instruments against criminal organisations.

He announced that membership in a criminal group would become a distinct criminal offence subject to heightened sentencing, and signalled stricter penalties for groups that enlist minors into their ranks, targeting recruitment infrastructure.

The proposal follows Kast’s dismissal of his first security minister, former prosecutor Trinidad Steinert, after 69 days in the role, amid criticism over the administration’s crime strategy execution.

Implementation of the proposed reforms now hinges on parliamentary support as the administration works to translate campaign commitments into legislation.