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Presidential Candidates Debate Foreign Policy and Security Roles in Chile
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With primary elections just a week away, the final televised debate among presidential hopefuls from Chile’s ruling party centered on condemning the recent U.S. bombardment of Iranian nuclear facilities and a unified concern regarding the nation’s security crisis. The debate, broadcast nationally this past Sunday, highlighted both shared perspectives and subtle differences among the candidates vying for the leading role in the upcoming elections.
Key participants and Policy Positions
The debate featured Gonzalo Winter (Frente Amplio), Carolina Tohá (PPD), Jeannette Jara (PC), and Jaime Mulet (FRVS), revealing nuances and agreements on foreign policy and citizen security. A central point of discussion was President Gabriel Boric‘s stance on Washington’s offensive, along with Chile’s prospective involvement in international forums like the BRICS summit. According to a recent poll by the Center for Public Studies (CEP), citizen security is the top concern for 45% of Chileans, underscoring the debate’s focus [[1]].
Did You Know? The BRICS summit brings together Brazil, Russia, India, china, and South Africa to discuss economic cooperation and growth.
Divergent Views on International politics
While the debate remained largely civil, distinctions in international politics emerged. Winter defended the president’s statement, while Tohá urged for a more thorough approach, also questioning Iran. Jara cautioned about the “serious risk of a nuclear war,” and Mulet advocated for de-escalation in the Middle East and greater “prudence” in official statements. The candidates’ positions reflect the complex geopolitical landscape and Chile’s role in it.
Consensus on Public Security
In contrast to foreign policy, consensus prevailed on security issues. The candidates unanimously acknowledged the urgency of addressing the citizen security crisis, signaling an unprecedented unity among different sectors of the ruling party. this agreement comes as chile faces rising crime rates, with a 20% increase in reported homicides in the past year, according to data from the Chilean Investigative Police (PDI) [[2]].
Foreign Policy: Condemnation vs. Dialog
Gonzalo Winter strongly supported President Boric’s reaction, emphasizing Chile’s commitment to international law. He condemned President Trump’s decision as “completely rejectable,” warning of escalating global tensions. Winter also denounced what he termed “the true genocide that the state of Israel is doing against the Palestinian people.”
Carolina Tohá concurred that the U.S. attack violated international standards but presented a more nuanced outlook, highlighting the complex alliances between president Trump, Netanyahu, and Iran, as well as the presence of Hamas in Gaza. She advocated for Chile to promote dialogue among all parties.
regarding the BRICS 2025 Summit, Tohá stated firmly that Chile should not integrate into the bloc, while expressing willingness to attend meetings to voice concerns about the behavior of countries like Iran and Russia.
Jeannette Jara cautioned about the risk of nuclear war, emphasizing the responsibility of countries to promote peace. She noted that President Boric would attend the BRICS summit as a guest, subject to contingency.
Jaime mulet expressed concern about the economic consequences of conflict in the Middle East and criticized the timing of the presidential statement, suggesting that the Chancellor should have issued the initial response. While sharing the rejection of violence, he emphasized the need for consultation with the Foreign Relations Commissions.
In the debate’s second segment, candidates addressed the public’s perception of insecurity, agreeing on the urgency of a more robust and coordinated response. Proposals included:
- Doubling the Carabineros contingent and quadrupling the GOPE to reinforce responses to complex and organized crimes.
- Creating a municipal or communal police force with specific training and powers for prevention and patrol tasks.
- Raising bank secrecy in investigations for organized crime and strengthening financial monitoring in coordination with the SII and the UAF.
These measures aim to combat drug trafficking, extortion, kidnapping, and criminal infiltration in public institutions. Though,questions arose on social media regarding the fiscal cost and viability of a new police force.
Pro Tip: Municipal police forces can enhance community engagement and address local crime issues more effectively.
The candidates’ closing remarks reflected both security concerns and political positioning. Tohá pledged to request parliamentary deployment of the military in areas with critical violence. Mulet declared a halt to immigration, stating, “We have the house full.” Jara called for tearing down myths about her party, while Winter criticized right-wing candidates.
| Candidate | US bombing of Iran | BRICS Summit | Security Proposals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gonzalo Winter | Strongly condemns | Not specified | Supports reinforcement of existing forces
|