Legislative progress on security and police support laws in Uruguay and Chile

In Uruguay, the Legislative Assembly's Security and Narcotrafficking Commission has approved a report on the “Ley de mano firme ante la reincidencia delictiva” (Firm Hand Law against Criminal Recidivism). Proposed by President Laura Fernández, the bill aims to establish a more severe penal, procedural, and penitentiary regime for repeat, habitual, and professional offenders. Key provisions include redefining recidivism, setting expiration periods for criminal records between 5 and 15 years, and creating a National Recidivism Registry under the Ministry of Justice and Peace to allow real-time consultations by judicial authorities.

In Chile, the government has agreed to advance the “Agenda Mártires de Chile,” an initiative proposed by the UDI party. The proposal includes 16 economic, social, and labor measures designed to provide permanent legal protection and support for the families of police officers who die in the line of duty. These measures include educational support for children, housing access, and psychosocial and legal assistance, aiming to ensure such benefits are guaranteed by law rather than subject to administrative discretion.