[REVISION HISTORY]

Chile advances ACOT security and constitutional reforms

Updated 25 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

What changed

2026-09-02 06:11 UTC → 2026-09-03 21:57 UTC · added ~~removed~~

The Chilean government, under President José Antonio Kast, has formally submitted its Agenda Against Organized Crime and Terrorism (ACOT) constitutional reform package to the Senate. The proposal seeks to elevate public security to a constitutional duty and introduces a new ‘state of exception’ mechanism. Under this draft, the Executive could declare such a state for up to 240 days without prior Congressional authorization, granting powers to restrict movement, assembly, and personal liberty, as well as the interception of communications and requisition of property. During the National Mining Society (Sonami) summit, President Kast defended the initiative, describing organized crime groups as “transnational companies” that require a different legal approach. He emphasized that improving security is vital for the mining sector to reduce protection and transport costs, stating the shared goal is to “recover security for our country.” However, the reform has drawn intense criticism from legal experts and political figures who describe the measures as “absolutely abusive,” warning they concentrate unchecked power in the executive. Opponents have drawn parallels to methods used by the Central Nacional de Informaciones (CNI) during the military dictatorship. Concerns also surround the “Ley Antibarricadas 2.0,” which could penalize peaceful interruptions of traffic. Human Rights Watch has warned that these changes threaten the rights of Chilean citizens and jeopardize democratic institutions. Senator Luciano Cruz-Coke of the Evopoli party has also noted that the powers granted to the presidency are excessive. Due to significant backlash, which has extended into the government's own ranks, the administration has withdrawn the ‘urgencia suma’ (highest urgency) status to allow for broader debate in Congress. ~~Legislative progress remains a point of contention as the Senate navigates~~ Public opposition has escalated into civil unrest, with protests erupting in Santiago. Demonstrators clashed with police in the ~~potential for excessive presidential power~~ city center, leading to heavy intervention by authorities using tear gas and ~~institutional damage.~~ water cannons.

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