Chilean authorities have transferred nearly 300 high-risk inmates to the newly opened La Laguna Prison, a significant step in President José Antonio Kast's security agenda aimed at curbing organized crime. The government reported that the transfer, which took place on Thursday, also addresses overcrowding in existing correctional facilities and aims to prevent incarcerated gang leaders from directing criminal activities from behind bars.
The La Laguna Prison, located approximately 250 kilometers (155 miles) south of Santiago, is designed as one of Chile's most modern and secure facilities. It is equipped with advanced surveillance systems, including 1,500 cameras, body scanners, and technology to block cellphone signals. The prison is slated to eventually hold up to 2,097 inmates.
Kast personally oversaw the transfer, stating it sends a clear message to criminals that "things have changed" and that authorities are committed to prosecution and incarceration. Among the transferred inmates are 40 alleged members of criminal organizations, including nine individuals identified as gang leaders.
The operation comes as Kast seeks to bolster his administration's security credentials. His government has faced public pressure to demonstrate progress on crime reduction, a central theme of his presidential campaign. Kast has previously visited El Salvador to study President Nayib Bukele's security policies, which have been lauded for reducing violence but criticized by human rights organizations for alleged abuses and erosion of civil liberties.
In recent months, Kast's administration has also proposed a comprehensive security package. The legislative proposals include measures for a sustained police presence in high-crime areas, stricter penalties for gang affiliation, and the establishment of a new agency to seize criminal assets. The package also seeks to broaden the state's authority in combating crime, including potentially loosening rules on police use of force and making it easier to declare states of emergency.
While Chile historically remains one of Latin America's safer countries, recent increases in kidnappings, extortion, and drug trafficking, coupled with the expansion of transnational gangs, have heightened public anxiety. These factors contributed to overcrowding in prisons and fueled public demand for stronger security measures, which ultimately helped propel Kast to electoral victory.
The government has also focused on immigration policy as part of its security push, though efforts to rapidly deport undocumented immigrants have faced challenges. As of early August 2026, approximately 878 individuals had been deported, while over 7,500 had departed voluntarily. Kast reshuffled his Security Ministry in May and has worked to implement policies that differentiate his approach from that of his predecessor, Gabriel Boric.