Chile: New police killing, third in a month, shocks the country

A new death police registered this Thursday, the third in the last month, caused a stir in Chile and led the government Gabriel Boric accelerate measures to combat the rise of violent crime in the country.

In the center of the capital Santiago, Corporal Rodrigo Palma, 33, was shot dead with two shots in the face while conducting an inspection.

“We are very beaten and injured […] Stop them continuing to kill those who care about us,” the CEO said. carabinieriRicardo Yanez.

The victim was married to another agent from the same department who is five months pregnant and with whom he has a four-year-old son.

“The efforts that the country and all the authorities are making is the right decision, but we are facing a terrible crime, we have never seen it before. The violence with which these people act will force us to adopt other strategies, ”added Janez.

The news shocked the South American country, which is suffering from rising gun crime and deteriorating public safety. In 2022, the number of homicides increased by 33.4%.

Boric and former presidents at the police funeral

“It is clear to crime and delinquency that their main adversary is Chile united, so they are constantly trying to divide us, let’s not get involved in this game,” Boric said in a message to the nation, accompanied by his ministers, dressed in mourning.

funeral police united most of those who were presidents after Chile she restored democracy in 1990. Former presidents Ricardo Lagos (2000–2006); Michelle Bachelet (2006-2010; 2014-2018); Sebastian Piñera (2010–2014; 2018–2022) and Borić attended mass together.

The third police killing in 23 days coincided with Boric’s promulgation of a controversial security law, the Naina-Retamal Law, which gives carabinieri more leeway when using firearms.

It also motivated the promotion of a plan to end street violence and the announcement of an additional $1.5 billion a year security investment.

Citizens support the police

In the afternoon, one hundred people protested in the symbolic square of Italy in Santiago, demanding from the Boric government to increase security measures and support the work of the police. Edgardo Mimiza, a 68-year-old civil engineer, asked that the body carabinieri “can defend himself using service weapons.”

“The light trigger, as the government says, is for criminals, and there is no support for people who really work behind the uniform,” complained Isabelle Horkera, a 45-year-old administrator.

Adding to the debate about rising crime, Chileans’ main concern, has been added a debate about undocumented immigration, evoking a climate of xenophobia, especially towards the Venezuelan community, today the largest in the country.

Prosecutors have publicly identified the two young Venezuelans as “persons of interest” in the investigation of the police crime, and photographs of their faces have been circulated on social media and television.

“Foreigners who do not have a national identity card and who are detained will be asked to be taken into custody,” national prosecutor Ángel Valencia said at a press conference. (According to AFP and EFE)