Minister of Public Security Martin Arrau outlined key powers he believes should remain under the new State of Exception proposal, focusing on restricting mobility and intervening in communications. The announcement came after a joint nighttime operation in Concepcion, involving Carabineros, the Internal Investigations Service (PDI), Senda, and the Internal Revenue Service (SII). Arrau defended the initiative, emphasizing its potential to temporarily restrict movement and monitor communications, while acknowledging room for adjustments during legislative review. The proposed state of exception has faced internal criticism within the ruling coalition. Concerns include the 240-day duration without congressional approval and the impact on communications. President of the Republican Party Arturo Squella and Senator Andrés Longton have called for changes, including requiring initial agreement between the president and Congress, periodic reviews every 30 days, and removing communication interference. Despite these concerns, officials at La Moneda acknowledge modifications will be made to the proposal. Arrau emphasized that while certain aspects of the initiative are non-negotiable, others can be discussed. He stated that essential elements such as the prison regime and police emergency powers are crucial. "What we want is the core. Having the list with its penal regime, having a police state of exception, to have some powers we don’t currently possess," he explained. He stressed that other provisions could be adjusted through dialogue to ensure the tool's effectiveness. When asked specifically about the powers he considers necessary, Arrau highlighted the ability to restrict movement in specific areas. "In this constitutional state of exception, due to major public safety disruption, what is requested is that for a limited time, under controlled conditions, the movement of individuals can be restricted," he said. He argued that this would allow targeted interventions in certain neighborhoods, noting that some areas require stricter controls. This measure, he added, is intended to be temporary and limited in scope. Arrau also supported the intervention of telecommunications, one of the points of contention within the governing coalition. He justified the need for such measures given the challenges posed by modern technology. "Today, intercepting and accessing communications is complex, and therefore, we believe that in this policing state, to dismantle organized crime groups, terrorist bands, or complex crimes, these powers are very useful," he noted. He emphasized that these tools would be used sparingly and only when necessary. Additionally, Arrau endorsed the creation of a registry for organized crime and terrorist organizations. This would eliminate the need to repeatedly verify their existence in each case. The move aims to streamline law enforcement efforts and enhance operational efficiency. Meanwhile, data indicates a sustained decline in violent incidents in the Southern Macrozone. A recent study by the University of Andrés Bello’s Crime Organization and Terrorism Observatory shows a 42.6% reduction in criminal reports over a 1,419-day period following the implementation of the state of exception. In regions like Biobío, Los Lagos, and La Araucanía, the drop was even more pronounced, reaching up to 50.8%. These figures suggest that the state of exception, combined with legal reforms and increased arrests of radical leaders, has played a critical role in reducing violence. Despite ongoing security threats, there is growing optimism about the possibility of gradually phasing out the state of exception. As long as violence continues to decline and community attitudes shift away from romanticizing conflict, the government may consider transitioning back to regular policing. The goal remains to restore normalcy and place full responsibility for public safety in the hands of law enforcement.
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