The decision by the government to cut the budget of the Ministry of Security has not gone unnoticed on the right. This reduction is part of a series of cuts in public spending across various ministries. Specifically, the announcement proposes a decrease of $72 billion in security, which corresponds to about 3% of the total budget.
Although initial criticisms came from the opposition, concerns have also been raised from within the ruling party, where members warn of a contradiction with the narrative of an "emergency government" that the Executive has tried to establish, particularly regarding security. One of the first to express discontent was National Renewal senator Andrea Balladares, who stated on Radio Pauta that "we do not believe that the cut should come from security (... ).
Perhaps we should look for another formula, in other ministries or institutions. " She added that the police need more resources to tackle organized crime. Her RN colleague, deputy Andrés Celis, held a similar stance, stating that "ordering public finances is necessary, but that cannot mean weakening the security of individuals.
" He also warned that "cutting $72 billion from the Ministry of Security amid the most serious crime crisis Chile has ever faced generates legitimate concern, as it affects Carabineros, the PDI, and plans against organized crime. " The parliamentarian called on the Executive to review the proposal and make necessary adjustments to safeguard priority areas. "The signal must be coherent.
If security is a priority, resources must also be allocated there," he affirmed. One of the main considerations is that…
In this same vein, deputy Constanza Hube (UDI) was more emphatic, stating that "security is the number one priority of an emergency government," adding that "the resources allocated to provide peace of mind to people should be the last option when evaluating cuts. " Her fellow party member, parliamentarian Mario Olavarría, asserted that the government's decision is erroneous. "I think it's a mistake.
This is an issue that brought the government to power; one of its main banners was security, and to have more security, resources are needed," emphasized the deputy. Another critic was National Libertarian Party deputy Gloria Naveillán, who described the situation as incomprehensible. "If the government's main focus, apart from the economy, is security, how can it be understood that they are cutting funds destined for Carabineros and the PDI?
" she indicated. Furthermore, the deputy emphasized that this contradicts not only the campaign proposals but also what the President himself said on the day he took office and the decrees he signed, including the urgencies he established. On Monday, in the Security Commission of the Chamber of Deputies, Security Minister Trinidad Steinert, along with Undersecretary of Public Security Andrés Jouannet, presented the proposed formula for reducing spending to the parliamentarians, emphasizing that it is a project under evaluation.
According to details from the ministry, the largest reductions would be concentrated in Carabineros and the Police of Investigations, as well as programs such as the Plan against Organized Crime and Streets without Violence.