Chile's ex-minister Luis Cordero denounces new National Vandalism Register as ineffective

Former minister Luis Cordero labeled the government's proposal for a National Register of Vandalism and Incivilities as "effectist," arguing that the design could stigmatize citizens and raise constitutional problems. He warned that placing offenders in a single register might blur distinctions between criminal offenses, misdemeanors and minor administrative infractions, and could jeopardise social benefits such as the Universal Guaranteed Pension, which the Constitution protects.

Cordero suggested that municipalities should take a leading role in addressing low‑level incivilities, using faster, monitorable sanctions linked to community repair rather than expanding criminal penalties. He also referenced the broader context of financial‑crime investigations, noting that Chile's strong banking‑secrecy regime, while a privacy asset, poses systemic risks and was highlighted during the Operation Tokio money‑laundering probe.