Chilean officials acknowledge organized crime infiltration in military
July 16 (UPI) -- The discovery of drugs on Chilean military bases and vehicles in early July has raised alarms about possible infiltration of drug trafficking networks into the country's armed forces.
Authorities found a shipment of narcotics hidden at a military base in Colchane, near the Bolivian border, followed days later by a suitcase containing ketamine aboard an Air Force plane. The incidents have prompted closed-door Senate sessions and demands for answers from military leaders.
The discoveries followed the June 29 arrest of seven people -- six Army noncommissioned officers and one civilian -- who were charged and placed in pretrial detention. Prosecutors accuse the group of trafficking at least 423 pounds of cocaine and cocaine paste.
Security Minister Luis Cordero said there are "serious cases" showing organized crime has infiltrated the armed forces and could threaten public security, though he denied it is a structural or widespread issue.
"This wasn't an issue a few years ago, so legislation and measures need to be updated. Organized crime must be confronted early," Defense Minister Adriana Delpiano said.
Both ministers participated in a special session of the Senate Constitution Committee to examine ties between organized crime and the armed forces, and to discuss legislative and administrative steps to prevent future infiltration.
Lawmakers addressed jurisdictional disputes between military and civilian courts, proposed reforms to the Code of Military Justice and efforts to bolster institutional intelligence and counterintelligence.
Counterintelligence is a key tool in the fight against organized crime, as it helps identify security gaps in the country, security expert Pilar Lizana told Chilean broadcaster Radio Bio Bio.
Since 2023, Chilean armed forces personnel have been authorized to assist with border control and monitor illegal crossings in the country's north.
"The porous borders, the ease of drug transit and the search for alternative routes have made the country a key link in trafficking networks, exposing its institutions to corruption," said Humberto García, president of the Chilean Institute of Public Policy.
The incidents have also reignited debate over lifting bank secrecy protections for public officials and military personnel -- a proposal backed by pro-government sectors as a tool against corruption.
However, opposition leaders have raised concerns, arguing the change could infringe on individual rights.
Authorities and analysts agree that drug cartels and transnational criminal groups, such as Tren de Aragua, pose a growing threat to national security.
"The current situation demands a coordinated and forceful response from all branches of government. The credibility of the armed forces -- vital to national security and public trust -- is at stake," Garcia said.
"Transparency in investigations, tough sanctions and strong oversight mechanisms will be essential to confronting this growing threat."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
UPI
an hour ago
- UPI
Yuliia Svyrydenko confirmed as Ukraine's prime minister
Yulia Svyrydenko, seen here in Paris, France in March, was appointed as Ukraine's prime minister in July. EPA/TERESA SUAREZ July 17 (UPI) -- Yuliia Svyrydenko is the new prime minister of Ukraine after being confirmed Thursday by the Verkhovna Rada, Ukraine's parliament. In a press release, the Ukrainian government confirmed Svyrydenko's appointment, with 262 votes in favor. There were also 22 votes against, and 26 abstentions. "It is a great honor for me to lead the government of Ukraine today," she said in an X post on Thursday. "My key goal is real, positive results that every Ukrainian will feel in daily life." Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had proposed that Svyrydenko become the country's prime minister on Monday as part of a broader government reshuffle. Zelensky also installed the now former-Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal as Ukraine's Minister of Defense and Herman Smetanin will lead Ukroboronprom, the Ukrainian Defense Industry. He further announced Thursday that he has appointed the now-former Ukrainian Justice Minister Olga Stefanishyna as his Special Representative for the Development of Cooperation with the United States. Zelensky posted to social media Thursday that "The government of Ukraine has been renewed," but it appears more changes are coming very soon. "[Friday], we will continue with the reconfiguration of the security sector. On Monday, we will renew the Ukrainian diplomatic corps," Zelensky said. "I have also outlined the agenda for the next two meetings of the National Security and Defense Council. Every day must bring results for Ukraine."
UPI
2 hours ago
- UPI
Kristi Noem hints TSA liquid limit for carry-on bags may be changed
DHS Secretary Kristi Noem suggested that the TSA limit on liquids allowed in carry-on bags may be changed. File Photo by Tannen Maury/UPI | License Photo July 17 (UPI) -- Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem suggested that changes to the Transportation Security Administration's restrictions on liquids in carry-on bags at airports may be made. Noem, speaking at the Hill Nation Summit -- hosted by The Hill and News Nation -- in Washington on Wednesday, said she was considering altering the rules for liquids. "But I will tell you -- I mean the liquids -- I'm questioning. So that may be the next big announcement is what size your liquids need to be," Noem said. Noem's comments came about a week after the DHS announced its rule to allow travelers to keep their shoes on while passing TSA. As of September 2006, the TSA's liquid rule allows liquid in carry-on bags to be 3.4 ounces or less. "Hopefully the future of an airport, where I'm looking to go, is that you walk in the door with your carry-on suitcase, you walk through a scanner and go right to your flight," Noem said. "It takes you one minute." DHS is working with several different companies to improve the technology used in airports to make that goal a reality, Noem said. "So ... it's not certainly anything we'll be announcing in the next week or two, but we're working to see what we can do to make the traveling experience much better and more hospitable for individuals, but also still keep safety standards," Noem said.
UPI
2 hours ago
- UPI
Trump's decisions about tariffs and spending fall short of logic
President Donald Trump displays the One Big Beautiful Bill Act on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington on July 4. Trump signed his $3.4 trillion budget bill into law that day. Photo by Kent Nishimura/UPI | License Photo July 17 (UPI) -- Whether you support or oppose President Donald Trump's ideas and policies, does anyone know on what basis his decisions are made and what level of analysis or evidence supports both? Consider his use of tariffs and, ironically, the recently passed One Big Beautiful Bill, or OBBB. The OBBB is entirely dependent on tariffs to fill the debt and deficits created by tax cuts and excessive spending and not offset by cuts. Tariffs are also Trump's mechanism for altering the global trade and economic systems and providing leverage on friends and adversaries to do his bidding. What is the analysis and justifications for these assumptions on the value of tariffs? For decades, Trump has believed that the large trade imbalances in which the United States always imports more than it exports are inherently damaging. But no evidence or proof of this assertion exists. The total balance of payments consists of the current and capital accounts. The current account measures the goods and services balance. The capital account measures the flow of investments. The trade or current trade imbalance is a negative $800 or so billion. The capital account is more than a $1 trillion in surplus. Much of the capital surplus is paying for our budget deficits. So why does the president not understand this fact and insist that tariffs must reverse the trade imbalance and probably make the capital account negative? What data is used to show or demonstrate that a positive trade imbalance makes for a stronger economy and does not cause foreign trading partners to reciprocate by imposing tariffs of their own? The infamous 1930 Smoot Hawley Tariffs did not cause the depression, but they surely prolonged it. Tariffs and sanctions are being utilized to force Russian President Vladimir Putin to negotiate an end to the war in Ukraine. Trump gave Putin 50 days to accept this demand. Interestingly, in any western movie, the villain or hero was never given 50 days to get out of town. Why would Putin capitulate and how did Trump arrive at this conclusion? We do not know. In addition to imposing tariffs on friends, look at Russia, if Putin is not cooperative, Trump threatens secondary sanctions and tariffs on countries trading with Russia. About 20% of Europe's energy demands are filled by Russia. Can those nations forgo that? And how will tariffs on our erstwhile friends and allies be received if imposed? As for debt and deficits, tariffs in the first half of 2025 raised about $100 billion. It is estimated that this figure could increase to $300 billion or more by year's end. That is substantial. But it is far from enough to meet this year's current projected deficit of $1.9 trillion. Trump has pushed NATO to set a spending goal of 5% of gross domestic product on defense, with 3.5% for the military and 1.5% on improving infrastructure and resilience. At the same time, in sending more weapons to Ukraine, Trump has insisted that NATO members pay for it -- not an unreasonable request. However, will the current tariffs projected for Europe -- and possibly increased if Putin continues the war -- affect the ability of these states to meet the 5% goal? Very likely. The OBBB has added another $158 billion for defense. However, aside from the argument that more must be spent on defense to match the Chinese and Russian threats, where is the analysis that this extra spending will actually close these perceived gaps in military forces? One trillion dollars or more is a huge amount to spend on a military that is dependent on technologically advanced and highly expensive weaponry. A nuclear aircraft carrier and an air wing of F-35's at $130 million each will cost more than $15 billion. The B-21 bombers and sixth-generation fighters likewise are vastly expensive. Again, where is the analysis? When asked about the temporary cutoff of weapons to Ukraine, the president's initial and incredulous response was that he was unaware of this decision. That reinforces the question of how decisions are made. And it is highly unlikely that Donald Trump will explain why he makes his decisions except on the basis to Make America Great Again or to make the United States the "hottest" country in the world. Unchecked, this method of decision-making will come to a bad end. But who will tell the president -- and would he listen? _______________________________ Harlan Ullman is UPI's Arnaud de Borchgrave Distinguished Columnist; senior adviser at Washington's Atlantic Council, chairman of a private company, and principal author of the doctrine of shock and awe. His next book, co-written with Field Marshal The Lord David Richards, former UK chief of defense and due out next year, is Who Thinks Wins: Preventing Strategic Catastrophe. The writer can be reached on X @harlankullman.
