With Chile’s presidential election fast approaching, crime and safety dominate public sentiment. As previously mentioned, Chile is considered the safest country in Latin America. Yet recent statistics have shown a dark increase in criminality, alarming many Chileans. Intensifying violence associated with criminal enterprises is the dangerous new norm. This increase, especially rooted in the Venezuelan organized crime Tren de Aragua, has made waves on the campaign trail and among everyday citizens.
In 2024, Chile’s homicide rate was estimated at around 6 per 100,000 inhabitants. This would be an alarming increase from the 4.5 per 100,000 that were recorded in 2018. While the rate peaked at 6.7 in 2022, it recently has begun to reverse course. You’d never know it judging by what the public thinks. Almost 88 percent of Chileans think crime has increased in the last year. This gap between what crime is actually happening and how dangerous people think their communities are creates an opportunity for political candidates to tap into these fears.
The Perception of Rising Crime
The majority of residents in Chile report feeling afraid for their personal safety. Daniel Johnson, a noted social commentator, articulated this sentiment, stating, “Chile is one of the most fearful countries in the world.” Stories of increasing violence fuel this fear. Every day, citizens feel as though they have to walk, bike, or drive in a deadlier world.
Such sentiments are echoed by Jose Antonio Kast, a prominent political figure who remarked that “criminals are free, and citizens are living as if in a prison.” He stressed that the sense of threat has been heightened by the media coverage of violent crime. “You can commit the same crime 30 times a day — morning, noon and night — so the perception is that there is more,” he noted.
As experts are coming to personal and private industries, that fear can do a lot more harm than these crimes. Johnson stated, “Fear is extremely harmful. It might even be more hurtful than the actual crime.” This defensible argument reveals the devilish dilemma of how to combat crime in America. It is an attempt to both restore public confidence and respond to actual threats.
Political Responses to Crime
As the presidential race has progressed, we have seen candidates proposing very different strategies to combat rising crime rates. Right wing presidential candidate Jose Antonio Kast has called for extreme penalties for cartel leaders, such as putting organized crime members in solitary confinement. His approach resembles the demand for tougher on crime measures in reaction to the supposed uptick in violence.
Jeannette Jara has concentrated on going after the money behind criminal enterprises. She stated, “It’s not enough to have more jails or more police if we don’t confront the root of organized crime. Because they didn’t come here because of ideology. They came here for money.” Jara’s vision points to a broader, more holistic understanding of crime prevention, one that looks at directing resources away from criminal enterprises.
Indivisible Jara is acutely aware of the need for more and better infrastructure to support law enforcement in these efforts. She declared that Chile must invest in “more prisons and more Carabineros.” Her focus on holistic solutions reflects an understanding of the underlying factors that make up crime and the damage it has caused to communities.
The Role of Voter Sentiment
With nearly 15.8 million registered voters mandated to participate in the upcoming presidential elections, candidates must grapple with these pressing issues. The gaping chasm between progressive criminal justice reformers focused on de-escalation and holistic solutions and crime-fighting hawks will most assuredly determine voter enthusiasm.
Public concern is growing. Indeed, candidates understand that their views on security can sink or propel their campaigns. Ocaranza, another political figure, remarked, “There are many other things that are more important,” suggesting that voters may prioritize broader issues alongside safety concerns.
The surge of transnational criminal violence into Chilean neighborhoods has become a daily reality for most Chileans, constituting a highly concerning issue in the present climate. Citizens like Johnson lament the implications for cultural engagement and economic stability: “Today, there are fewer people consuming art, going out to see theatre, going out to restaurants. So it doesn’t just limit someone’s quality of life but economic development.”
