Security strategies implemented in Antofagasta and Guatemala

In Antofagasta, Chile, the Municipal Council has approved the Public Security Communal Plan for 2026-2030. The strategy focuses on addressing violent robbery, vehicle theft, and public substance use. To combat these issues, the municipality will implement 24/7 deployment through the Association of Municipalities for Northern Security (ASEMUN), expand its surveillance camera network, and integrate artificial intelligence for risk detection.

In Guatemala, the government is considering a localized state of exception in high-violence areas. This measure would run parallel to the designation of certain criminal structures as “terrorist associations,” a power granted by recent legislation. The Secretary of Security, Gerzon Velásquez, noted that this designation would allow authorities to prosecute individuals for membership in a terrorist organization rather than just specific individual crimes. Recent activities by groups such as the “Cártel del Diablo” are being analyzed to determine if they meet the legal requirements for this classification.