Rise in Violent Crimes: Chile Battles Against International Organized Crime Groups

Chile has seen a rise in violent crimes in recent years due to the presence of international organized crime gangs entering the country. Groups such as the Tren de Aragua from Venezuela, Los Trinitarios from New York, and Los Pulpos from Peru have contributed to the increase in criminal activity. Between 2014 and 2023, homicides increased by 60%, rapes by 46%, and robberies with violence or intimidation by 11%, according to data from the Center for Crime Studies and Analysis.

At the judicial level, Chile is preparing for a mega-trial against 38 members of the Galician criminal gang, a subsidiary of the Tren de Aragua, for various crimes including homicide, kidnapping, human trafficking, sexual exploitation, extortion, arms and drug trafficking. This trial is considered one of the most complex criminal processes in recent years in Chile due to the high level of danger posed by those involved.

Pia Greene, a researcher at San Sebastián University’s Center for Studies in Public Security and Organized Crime discussed the challenges of combating transnational crime in Chile. She highlighted the changing nature of criminal activities in the country with a shift towards more violent crimes against individuals. While progress has been made in addressing organized crime, there is a need for better intelligence coordination between law enforcement agencies prosecutors and judges to effectively combat it. Greene also cautioned against militarizing crime as a solution citing potential risks and negative consequences associated with such measures. Ultimately she stressed that addressing crime requires a holistic approach encompassing intelligence effective law enforcement and social policies to prevent criminal behavior.