Chile Launches Major Security Agenda to Combat Organized Crime

Chilean Public Security Minister Martín Arrau presented the Agenda Against Organized Crime and Terrorism, known as ACOT, in Santiago this week.

The initiative represents a fundamental shift in the state's approach to law enforcement. By prioritizing the rights of victims and the authority of police, the government aims to reverse a public perception that the legal system has previously favored criminals over the citizens they target.

Announced on Aug. 5 ^[3], the ACOT framework consists of more than 30 bills ^[1] and one constitutional reform ^[2]. These measures are designed to strengthen public security and provide the state with more robust tools to dismantle organized criminal networks and terrorist cells.

During the presentation at the Ministry of Public Security, Arrau said there is a new era of law enforcement. He said the period where Chile viewed criminals with more consideration than those mandated to enforce the law has ended.

"The good cannot apologize for defending itself," Arrau said.

The agenda arrives as part of a broader strategy by President José Antonio Kast to harden the country's stance on crime. The administration intends for the constitutional reform to provide a permanent legal basis for these security enhancements, ensuring that the shift toward a more aggressive policing strategy remains intact regardless of future political shifts.

Arrau said the goal is to ensure that the state no longer prioritizes the delinquent over the victim. The comprehensive nature of the 30 bills ^[1] suggests a systemic overhaul of the judicial and security apparatus, targeting everything from intelligence gathering to sentencing guidelines.