Delving deeply into the evolving dynamics of organized crime, Chilean authorities have published their first official report detailing the increasing violence, alarming rise in homicides, and sophisticated criminal activities driven by both local and foreign gangs. This groundbreaking report, released on December 1, 2023, by the newly formed Organized Crime and Drug Unit of Chile’s Attorney General’s Office, identifies significant trends including the growth in violence, drug-related homicides, and notable drug seizures.
Foreign Gangs’ Influence in Chile
A central theme of the report is the intricate involvement of foreign gangs, particularly from Venezuela and Peru, in Chile’s criminal landscape. Groups like Venezuela’s Tren de Aragua and the Gallegos, along with Peruvian gangs such as the Pulpos and the del Callao, are increasingly active in extortion, kidnapping, human trafficking, and drug trafficking within Chile. Additionally, Bolivian, Peruvian, and Colombian gangs are actively incorporating Chile into their drug trafficking operations, further complicating the local crime scenario.
Homegrown Crime Networks
Despite the formidable presence of these foreign entities, local gangs also wield substantial influence in Chile’s crime networks. The report highlights a rising sophistication in organized crime activities, attributed to both local and foreign gangs expanding their operations and learning to coexist. Valeska Troncoso, a professor at the University of Santiago de Chile, underscored the strategic capacity and flexibility of these groups in sharing criminal territories and activities, which has intensified the complexity of the criminal landscape.
Tracking the Trends
This study, which tracks data from 2015 to 2023, is monumental as it provides the first clear outline of organized crime and illicit economies in Chile. Valeska Troncoso notes the importance of this report in creating a conceptual clarity that was previously missing from the country’s anti-organized crime policies. This newfound clarity is expected to inform and enhance the effectiveness of future strategies against organized crime.
The Appeal of Chile
The report also identifies an overarching trend: the encroachment of foreign gangs into Chile, facilitated by government crackdowns in other regions. Chile’s political and economic stability, combined with its strategic position featuring an extensive coastline and numerous ports, makes the country an attractive hub for international crime syndicates. This attraction extends beyond Latin American groups to include global syndicates like the Chinese mafias engaged in drug and human trafficking operations.
Mutual Benefits for Criminal Entities
There’s a consensus that the displacement of criminal groups into Chile is motivated by the country’s favorable conditions for minimizing risks and maximizing profits. The cooperation between foreign and local gangs proves mutually beneficial. Local gangs provide essential knowledge of the terrain and established distribution networks, while foreign gangs offer protection and opportunities to increase local profits and expand criminal activities.
The Path Forward
Chilean authorities are diving into the changing landscape of organized crime, releasing their first official report highlighting the surge in violence, the worrying increase in homicides, and the sophisticated operations carried out by both local and international gangs. Unveiled on December 1, 2023, this pivotal report was produced by Chile’s newly established Organized Crime and Drug Unit within the Attorney General’s Office. It sheds light on disturbing trends such as escalating violence, a sharp rise in drug-related murders, and significant drug seizures. By focusing on these key issues, the report provides a crucial understanding of the growing threat posed by organized crime in Chile. The thorough analysis by the Organized Crime and Drug Unit aims to inform and shape future law enforcement strategies. This includes tackling violence and stopping the spread of narcotics, ultimately seeking to safeguard communities and bring down criminal networks operating within the country.
