Elizalde (PS) accuses 'effectivist' measures in the security agenda and points to 'contradiction' in excluding banking secrecy

Ex-Minister of the Interior Álvaro Elizalde of the PS party criticized the government's proposed constitutional reforms under President José Antonio Kast’s new Anti-Crime and Terrorism Agenda (ACOT), calling them “effectist” and highlighting a contradiction over the exclusion of bank secrecy. In an interview with TVN’s National State program, Elizalde argued that each security-related project should be evaluated based on its merits, emphasizing support for good initiatives and opposition to poor ones. He suggested that while the government sometimes leans too heavily on showmanship, it does not necessarily lack effectiveness. The draft constitutional amendment, released by La Tercera during the week, sparked criticism from both the opposition and parts of the ruling coalition. The proposed changes aim to restrict certain constitutional rights, particularly in neighborhoods affected by organized crime. Elizalde pointed out that the modification is redundant compared to existing provisions in the Constitution. He further criticized the omission of bank secrecy protections within the package of measures, which he believes reflects a class bias. “On one hand, there is a provision allowing potential interception of communications in a neighborhood, affecting both criminals and law-abiding citizens. However, they refuse to lift the bank secrecy, and I believe there is a contradiction here,” he stated. Elizalde also assessed the government’s performance in security matters, noting that it had resorted to improvisation. He was especially critical of former Minister Trinidad Steinert, stating that she had set such low standards that everything else appeared better in comparison. Despite this, he acknowledged that current Security Minister Martin Arrau has managed the portfolio more effectively than his predecessor. Nevertheless, Elizalde maintained that many of the proposals contain excessive communication elements. “We hope this debate will allow these issues to be addressed directly, moving beyond slogans and focusing on real legislative progress,” he remarked. He expressed a desire for the government to announce how it plans to continue implementing the legal changes introduced under President Boric’s administration, which significantly modernized Chile’s legislation. “I would like to see more announcements regarding the implementation or continuation of these changes, which have substantially updated our legal framework,” he added. The discussion around the ACOT agenda has intensified political tensions, with Elizalde’s comments reflecting broader concerns about the balance between public safety and civil liberties. Critics argue that the proposed measures could infringe on fundamental rights without sufficient safeguards. Meanwhile, supporters of the government maintain that these reforms are necessary to combat rising criminal activity and ensure national security. As the debate continues, the focus remains on whether the proposed constitutional amendments can achieve their intended goals without undermining core democratic principles. With the upcoming legislative sessions, the outcome of this discourse will likely shape the trajectory of Chile’s legal and security policies in the coming months.