Chile Moves Toward Hard-Right Leadership Amid Crime Surge

Anxiety surrounding immigration and rising crime rates has propelled Jose Antonio Kast toward a potential victory in Chile’s presidential election on Sunday, marking a significant political shift. If elected, Kast would become the country’s first hard-right leader since the dictatorship of Augusto Pinochet three decades ago. He has garnered support by promising to deport hundreds of thousands of undocumented migrants, enforce stricter border controls, and declare a state of emergency in response to escalating violence linked to organized crime.

Kast’s rhetoric resonates with many Chileans who attribute a surge in organized crime to foreign gangs. On Thursday, police conducted a series of synchronized operations across central Santiago to combat this issue. Shortly after 18:00 (2300 GMT), armed officers emerged from unmarked vehicles to raid nine suspected drug houses in what was termed “Operation Colombia.” This operation followed a six-month investigation into a drug-dealing network, underscoring the challenges faced by Chile’s Investigative Police, which is often viewed as the country’s equivalent of the FBI.

The force, which was once focused on policing what was considered the safest country in Latin America, now finds itself on the frontline against increasingly sophisticated gangs from countries such as Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, and notably, Venezuela, represented by the notorious Tren de Aragua. According to Erick Menay, head of the organized crime unit, the emergence of these gangs has led to significant violence, with crime linked to organized activities increasing by about 40 percent over the past 25 years. The murder rate has surged by approximately 50 percent, based on data from the United Nations.

Polls indicate that more than half of Chileans now perceive crime as the most serious issue facing the nation. Kast, a three-time presidential candidate and father of nine, has positioned himself against leftist rival Jeannette Jara, leading significantly in the latest polls. He argues, “The country is falling to pieces,” a sentiment echoed by many who feel increasingly anxious about their safety.

Yet, despite the heightened fears, data from police and security services reveal a more nuanced picture. While crime rates have indeed risen, they remain elevated from a historically low base. A recent government survey indicated that 88 percent of Chileans believe crime has increased in the past year, yet the proportion of those who actually experienced violent crime stands at just under six percent.

Hassel Barrientos Hermosilla, head of the anti-kidnapping and extortion unit within the Investigative Police, notes that high-profile crimes are rarely directed at Chileans. Instead, foreign gangs tend to target individuals from their own countries. This reality highlights a disconnect between public perception and actual crime statistics.

The issue of perception is further complicated by media coverage. A recent poll by UDP-Feedback revealed that television viewers are 25 percent more likely to regard violent crime as a significant problem compared to newspaper readers. During a recent police raid in a Santiago neighborhood known as “Little Caracas,” the media presence amplified the sense of crisis, despite the relatively small quantity of drugs confiscated.

Ex-army general Christian Bolivar, who oversees municipal security in the affluent suburb of Las Condes, emphasizes that the fear of crime has escalated more rapidly than the crime rate itself. He explains that addressing public perception is an ongoing challenge: “It’s much more difficult to reach people’s minds, trying to influence them so they understand that the security situation isn’t as critical as it’s being portrayed.”

As Chile approaches a pivotal election, the interplay between crime, public perception, and political rhetoric will likely shape the country’s future direction. With Jose Antonio Kast positioned as a strong candidate, the implications of his proposed policies will resonate in a society grappling with its sense of safety and security.