President José Antonio Kast’s administration is pushing for the creation of a "National Registry of Vandals and Anti-Social Behavior," a measure announced during his first State of the Nation address that seeks to penalize offenses against urban order by temporarily restricting state benefits. Interior Undersecretary Máximo Pavez explained on Radio Infinita and Radio ADN that offenders could be listed for periods ranging from one to five years, depending on the severity of the infraction, which would prevent them from applying for social aid or lead to the withholding of tax refunds.
The initiative has taken a new turn following comments from National Prosecutor Ángel Valencia. Speaking with Radio ADN, the head of the Public Prosecutor's Office praised the proposal as being "well-intentioned" in its focus on anti-social behavior, noting that international experience shows that tolerating minor offenses contributes to the commission of more serious crimes. However, as reported by La Tercera, Valencia reinforced his stance that the registry should also include white-collar crimes and collusion cases, arguing that this would help protect public assets and ensure restitution for the damage caused to the community.
The proposal faces a complex political landscape following a restructuring of the Ministry of Security. Security Minister Martín Arrau dismissed undersecretaries Andrés Jouannet and Ana Victoria Quintana this week, replacing them with Pilar Giannini and Gonzalo Guerrero, according to La Tercera. This shake-up comes after the first 69 days of the administration—a period former minister Jorge Burgos described as a "failed scheme," though he praised Arrau’s decision to maintain the continuity of the National Public Security Policy.
The initiative has sparked intense controversy regarding its application criteria. While the government initially ruled out including economic crimes or human rights violations—arguing that these already carry prison sentences—the opposition has labeled the measure discriminatory. Socialist Senator Juan Luis Castro questioned whether the measure is intended to be a "deterrent for those who wish to protest," while Communist Deputy Luis Cuello warned that the policy targets the most vulnerable sectors, calling it a form of "social apartheid."
Criticism has also emerged from within the governing coalition. Former presidential candidate Evelyn Matthei questioned the punitive focus, emphasizing the importance of prevention over sanction. Meanwhile, former minister Jorge Burgos warned about the risks in the policy's design, noting that "if that were the only measure, it is certainly classist." Undersecretary Pavez has left the door open for Parliament to modify the scope of the project during the legislative process.
