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Chile Confronts Rise in Organized Crime: A Call for International Cooperation

Santiago, Chile - Five years ago, Chile was seen as a beacon of stability and security in Latin America. However, the country has faced a surge in organized crime, with a murder rate that has more than doubled since 2018.

The Rising Threat of Organized Crime

According to recent data, Chile’s murder rate jumped from 4.5 per 100,000 inhabitants in 2018 to 6.3 in 2023. Between July 1 and July 15 of this year alone, Chile registered 43 homicides - a staggering number that has left many questioning the country’s ability to combat organized crime.

Key Factors Contributing to Organized Crime

  • Human trafficking
  • Money laundering
  • Transnational gangs like the Tren de Aragua
  • Economic downturn and lack of job opportunities

Rebuilding Trust in Institutions

One key area of focus is rebuilding trust in Chile’s institutions. The country’s ranking on the World Justice Project’s Rule of Law Index has decreased from 25th in 2019 to 33rd in 2023, with areas such as regulatory enforcement and civil justice performing poorly.

Recommendations for Rebuilding Trust

  • Enhance judicial independence
  • Promote equality before the law
  • Reduce political conflicts
  • Reinforce liberal democracy

Streamlining Migration Legislation

Another key area of focus is migration policy. In 2020, Chile passed a new immigration law aimed at controlling the flow of migrants, particularly from Venezuela and Haiti.

Recommendations for Improved Migration Policy

  • Clearer procedures for migration processing
  • Grounds for swift deportation to origin countries
  • A balanced approach that addresses informality while preventing human smuggling

Returning to Free Markets

Chile’s economic downturn has also contributed to the rise in organized crime. The country’s score on the Heritage Foundation’s Economic Freedom Index has declined from 79 points in 2013 to 71.4 in 2024.

Recommendations for Restoring Economic Freedom

  • Restore legal certainty
  • Issue legal perks to encourage private investment and job creation

Leading International Cooperation

Finally, experts say that Chile must lead international cooperation efforts to combat organized crime. The Tren de Aragua is a transnational gang with ties to other countries in Latin America.

Recommendations for Regional Cooperation

  • Share intelligence data among Latin American nations
  • Implement synchronized policies to combat transnational organized crime