Chile’s Efforts Against Human Trafficking and Organized Crime: A Mixed Picture

Criminal Justice and Security

Key Challenges and Progress

• The judiciary is considered largely independent, but prison overcrowding, limited access to basic services, and corruption within the justice system remain significant concerns.
• The prosecutor’s office has made strides in establishing specialized units to combat money laundering, economic crimes, and organized crime.
• Chile’s main security forces, including the Carabineros de Chile and the Chilean investigative police (PDI), are responsible for maintaining law and order.

Intelligence Sharing and Collaboration

While intelligence sharing between police forces, ANI, and other organizations is essential for combating organized crime, there are concerns about its effectiveness and coordination.

Economic and Financial Environment

Overview of Laws and Regulations

• Chilean law includes legislation to combat terrorism financing and money laundering, with notable successful prosecutions under these laws.
• The economic regulatory environment is considered moderately conducive to doing business, but bureaucratic and regulatory hurdles still exist.
• A recent increase in corporate income tax has made tax payments more costly.

Civil Society and Social Protection

Support for Victims of Human Trafficking

• The Victims Support Programme provides crucial assistance to victims of human smuggling and trafficking, including the option for underage victims to testify via pre-recorded interviews.
• The prosecutor’s office has a dedicated section for victim and witness attention, offering support and protection services.

Poverty Reduction Efforts

Chile’s poverty reduction efforts have been more effective than those in other countries in the region, indicating progress in addressing socio-economic factors that contribute to human trafficking.

Additional Points of Concern

• Chile shares borders with major cocaine producers Peru and Bolivia, as well as Argentina, a significant transit and destination country for drug trafficking.
• The expansion of the Panama Canal has increased the risk of trafficking flows through Chilean ports.
• Chile boasts a robust framework for providing support to victims of modern slavery.

Conclusion

While Chile has made progress in addressing human trafficking and organized crime, challenges persist in areas such as prison overcrowding, corruption, and bureaucratic hurdles.