2019 Crime & Safety Report

This is an annual report produced in conjunction with the Regional Security Office at the U.S. Embassy in , Chile.

The current U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory at the date of this report’s publication assesses Chile at Level 1, indicating travelers should exercise normal precautions.

Overall Crime and Safety Situation

The U.S. Embassy in Santiago does not assume responsibility for the professional ability or integrity of the persons or firms appearing in this report. The American Citizens’ Services unit (ACS) cannot recommend a particular individual or location, and assumes no responsibility for the quality of service provided.

Review OSAC’s Chile-specific page for original OSAC reporting, consular messages, and contact information, some of which may be available only to -sector representatives with an OSAC password.

Crime Threats

There is considerable risk from crime in Santiago. The security environment in Chile is moderately safe, with comparatively less violent crime than in other Latin American countries. Pickpocketing, telephone scams, vehicle theft, and residential break-in are the most common crimes against tourists and resident foreigners. Violent crime also occurs, most often in the form of carjacking, home invasion, and mugging; express and traditional kidnapping and random shootings are almost non-existent.

The Public Safety Report 2018, published by the Ministry of the Interior and Public Safety, specifically focused on crimes related to home invasion: nationally, there were 44,565 reported cases of inhabited homes broken into in 2018, a reduction of 5.2% from 2017. This index analyzes statistics from Chile’s two agencies, and the Policía de Investigaciones de Chile (PDI), in 52 Chilean cities. Vehicle theft, theft of vehicle accessories, burglaries of inhabited houses and uninhabited houses, and other robberies involving assaults also decreased, by 8.35%.

The National Prosecutors Office published the Criminal Analysis Units report in December 2018, showing that the crime rates between January and November 2018 in the Eastern Metropolitan boroughs of La Florida, , , , , Ñuñoa, Peñalolén, Providencia, and saw an overall reduction of almost 20% in robberies using intimidation with a weapon compared to last year; robberies with violence decreased by 8%, and home invasions decreased by 11.5%.

The report cites an increase in cooperation between the municipal governments, the Public Prosecutor’s Office, and Chilean police agencies as the main reason for the decrease.

1 Taken as a whole, the Eastern Metropolitan area has had a decrease in crime. However, in the boroughs of Lo Barnechea, Vitacura, and Las Condes, where many expatriates live, there was a slight increase in the number of home invasions, from 912 to 945 cases, between January and August according to Carabineros’ statistics, indicating a 3.6 % rise.

The number of crimes reporting violence during residential break-ins remained the same in 2018. When residents are home, burglars use bats, knives, and firearms as intimidation. One tactic involves binding the feet and hands of residents and placing them in a closet while burglars take valuables. Apartments with 24-hour concierges are less likely targets. It is common for to return home from work after 2000 and to leave Santiago on the weekends; most break-ins occur when residences are empty. Summer vacation for students and many Chilean employees start around December 18 and last through early March; this is the peak residential break-in season.

According to the Metropolitan Statistics Report, violent crimes, including robbery with violence, robbery with intimidation, robbery with surprise or assault, homicide, and rape reached 62,806 cases in 2018, compared with 59,002 in 2017, indicating a 6.5% increase. Between January 2017 to March 2018, the report noted 8,188 crimes using weapons. The Investigative Police also seized 600 weapons, including submachine guns and rifles.

Non-violent pickpocketing is more common in Santiago than in other areas of the country, although it may happen anywhere. In downtown Santiago, the risk of being a victim of pickpocketing increases on weekends and after dark. Purse snatching and pickpocketing are more prevalent in crowded, tourist locations, pedestrian shopping areas, subway stations, and bus terminals, and on crowded buses and the metro. Criminals often work in pairs, with one distracting the victim with a motion or sound while the other steals the victim’s property. Restaurants, pubs, food courts, and hotel chains are also popular locations for theft of purses, backpacks, briefcases, and laptops. Be aware of groups of youths, who frequently work together to distract people and then rob them. It is common for thieves to dress in a suit and tie to blend in.

The following are some common criminal trends in Chile:  The “Mustard Trick” scam happens in airports, public buildings, and on the streets. Someone “accidentally” spills a substance or notices a foreign substance on your clothes. While you are occupied dealing with the problem, an accomplice steals your valuables.  "Motoclock" is a new type of crime mainly characterized by subjects assaulting their victims, specifically snatching watches of great value and fleeing on a motorcycle. In practice, criminals enter as customers to various places, such as bars and restaurants in the eastern sector of the Metropolitan Region; they observe their potential victims, identifying people who wear expensive watches. Once they identify a victim, the criminals wait for them in the vicinity, usually in places with few people. In some cases, they move on motorcycles without a license plate, wearing helmets and carrying firearms, proceeding to intimidate the victim and snatch only the watch that they carry.  “Maletazos” (name also labeled by the media) is a new criminal trend. Criminals, usually armed, stand outside of hotel entrances. Once taxis or vans pull up to drop off tourists, criminals wait for luggage to be unloaded and grab the bags, throwing them into a get- away car.

2 In 2018, reports continued of ATMs blown up by so-called “gas-saturation” in order to steal money. This method entails filling the ATM vestibule with gas fumes and exploding the machine. Often, the money is destroyed during these attempts, but sometimes it is not. Usually, these attempts occur in the very late evening hours; on some occasions, criminals have warned people away from the ATMs before exploding them.

A “portonazo” refers to a carjacking or robbery attempt while a car is pulling into or out of a ‘porton’ (car gate). There were so many high-profile stories of portonazos in 2017, the government created a task force within the Carabineros to address the problem. The Eastern Prosecutors report for 2018 shows that between January and May 2018, the eastern zone of Santiago registered 727 cases, which is more than the 491 cases in 2017. The first five months of the year in the eastern metropolitan zone registered the highest record of portonazos since the phenomenon began in 2016 – however, portonazos have now become more common in boroughs that were originally isolated from these types of crimes. In comparison to the average number of portonazos reported in 2016 and 2017, there has been a 48% overall reduction in in Lo Barnechea, Las Condes and Vitacura. However, due to enforcement efforts in these areas, the crimes have now shifted to the boroughs of Nuñoa (+55%), Macul (+47%), and Peñalolen (+42%).

Two-thirds of carjacking occurs between 2100 and 0200 in the morning. Attackers are armed with either guns or knives, in groups of three with at least one minor involved. In 2018, the age group continued to be predominantly between 14 and 29. One quarter of reported carjackings occurred when the owners were entering their homes through the porton. In other cases, criminals stop vehicles driving on public roads or at exits from highways in Santiago. Other vehicle-related crimes include thieves reaching through open windows to steal valuables and incidents of smash- and-grabs. Cars parked unattended on the street have been broken into, even in affluent areas.

There has been a rise in gang thefts in malls, especially Parque Arauco in Las Condes, Casa Costanera in Vitacura, and Costanera Centre in Providencia, Criminals specifically target jewelry and high-end stores. Gangs of 4 to 6 individuals arrive in expensive vehicles, usually well dressed and in groups accompanied by at least one minor. These groups usually carry firearms, and will strike during the day regardless of number of clients in the mall.

There has also been an increase in bank robberies in the eastern sector of the city, particularly Las Condes, Vitacura, and Providencia. Armed gangs have injured guards and use getaway vehicles for access to highways.

Phone scams are common. In most cases, someone will telephone and state that you have won a prize, a family member has been in an accident or kidnapped, or that the caller is working in your bank and needs your banking/credit card information. Do not give financial information to anyone you do not know over the phone. For more information, review OSAC’s Report, Kidnapping: The Basics.

Credit card fraud remains a concern. Police have uncovered various networks engaged in cloning credit cards and producing fraudulent blank credit cards. Some restaurants have been caught scanning clients credit cards through skimmers. For more information, review OSAC’s Report, The Overseas Traveler’s Guide to ATM Skimmers & Fraud.

3 Transportation-Safety Situation

For more information, review OSAC’s Report, Security in Transit: Airplanes, Public Transport, and Overnights.

Road Safety and Road Conditions

Road conditions throughout most of Chile are outstanding by South American standards, and are comparable to U.S. roads. Road names are well marked on city streets and highways. Traffic lights and pedestrian signals work well, but drivers do not always obey the rules. For more information on self-driving, review OSAC’s Report, Driving Overseas: Best Practices.

Exercise caution when driving or walking in/around Santiago. Since vehicles parked on the streets are vulnerable to break-ins in just about any neighborhood, day or night, vehicles should park in illuminated areas or in off-street parking facilities.

Public Transportation Conditions

Be particularly alert when using the subway and buses, as pickpocketing and muggings occur.

Generally, taxis are safe means of transportation, and drivers use meters. Maintain alert whenever exchanging money with drivers. Some taxi drivers have passed counterfeit money, intentionally shortchanged, over charged, or stolen from unsuspecting passengers.

Terrorism Threat

Local, Regional, and International Terrorism Threats/Concerns

There is minimal risk from terrorism in Santiago. Ongoing, small-scale domestic terrorist activity attributed to anarchists includes improvised explosive device (IED) detonations at government institutions, banks, and churches, and in public areas. In 2018, police reported 35 IEDs mainly in the capital, ten of which they were able to deactivate (8 incendiary and 2 explosive), five of which the Carabineros’ anti-explosive team detonated, ten of which exploded or detonated (1 in Santiago and 2 in Valparaiso) and nine of which (2 in the Metropolitan region) were simulated IEDs. In total for 2018, police reported 172 suspicious packages, bags, backpacks, or luggage found around the country, of which 115 were in Santiago and 13 in Valparaiso. These included homemade IEDs attempting to gain publicity. These incidents typically intend to cause damage to a building and make a political statement while minimizing the possibility of injury or death to passersby. Most of the IEDs were composed of black powder placed inside a fire extinguisher with a time-activated detonation trigger.

On January 4, 2019, the ecoterrorism group “Individualists Tending to the Wild (ITS) claimed responsibility for the explosion of a device in a package at a Transantiago bus stop in central Santiago on Vicuña Mackenna Avenue, which injured five individuals. At the same time, there was another IED discovered nearby the entrance to the metro system, but it was fake. ITS is an ecoterrorism group that protests against the private operators of the transport company and transport system regulation. This is the same group that sent an explosive device to the Vice Present of the Chilean National Corporation of Copper, CODELCO, in 2017, protesting against the exploitation of Natural Resources.

4 Political, Economic, Religious, and Ethnic Violence

Civil Unrest

There is moderate risk from civil unrest in Santiago. Freedoms of speech and assembly are important rights in Chile. Marches and demonstrations are relatively common, and generally occur with permission from the authorities on designated routes. In addition, there are a few traditional days for demonstrations, such as September 11 (the anniversary of the 1973 overthrow of the Allende Government) and March 29 (the Day of the Young Combatant). Although marches and protests usually commence peacefully, they can turn violent, with participants throwing rocks, Molotov cocktails, and acid at the police, who resort to tear gas and water cannons. These have resulted in several millions of dollars of damage to surrounding businesses, and vandalism of street signs and streetlights.

The #MeToo movement, which had a global affect, also affected Chile. In mid-July, many large protests occurred throughout the country to support respect, equality, strong investigation of sexual abuse cases, and non-sexist education in schools. In solidarity, university students held protests and strikes, including temporarily controlling sections of their universities. In addition, several student protests took place in 2018 in downtown Santiago, protesting against the Aula Segura (Safe Classroom) project to protect teachers against violent students. Authorities generally authorized all of these protests, but nearly all ended in public disorder and violence.

In mid-July, unidentified hooded anarchists stabbed three women at protests supporting abortion rights. It was the first time this type of violence was associated with these marches and protests.

Religious/Ethnic Violence

In November 2018, a member of the Carabinero’s Special Operations Tactical Group (GOPE) shot and killed Camilo Catrillanca, a Mapuche Indian from Victoria, in the Araucania area of southern Chile. Authorities had thought that Mr. Catrillanca, accompanied by a 15-year-old boy, was involved in a car theft near Ercilla, where a group of individuals stole three vehicles. The case is still under investigation. This incident provoked a high level of conflict between the Mapuche indigenous population and the authorities, and produced violent protests. Media reported that the indigenous community then called for a month-long period of protests to express unhappiness with the Government of Chile, resulting in violent demonstrations in Santiago that caused injuries to Carabineros and destruction of property. Indigenous activists also used fire and barricades to block the major southern highway, Ruta 5.

Because of the alleged mishandling of the Catrillanca, the government removed the General Director of the Carabineros along with 14 generals. This is the second government-removed General Director since 2018; 47 Generals have been asked to either resign or have resigned since early 2018.

This year has seen a number of attacks on private homes and land in the Araucanía area, as well as forestry companies and churches. Indigenous activists have burned a number of vehicles, nearly always leaving pamphlets in the area outlining the Indigenous fight for lands of origin.

5 Significant protests occurred the Port neighborhood of Valparaiso in November and December 2018, when 450 workers from the company Terminal Pacifico Sur Valparaiso (TPS) and Terminal Cerros de Valparaiso (TCVAL) demanded improved working environments, security issues, and much higher bonuses. Protestors lit fires and formed barricades on main roads to cut access. Violent confrontations between protestors and Carabineros ensued. According to media reports, these demonstrations caused the standstill of over 20,000 containers and losses valued at more than 16 billion pesos.

Post-specific Concerns

Environmental Hazards

Chile is located in a highly active seismic zone both for earthquakes and for volcanic eruptions. Prepare for earthquakes while visiting Chile. Chile has high earthquake standards that builders generally follow; a modern building should withstand an earthquake up to 9.0. If you are in an adobe edifice (primarily in northern Chile), exit the building immediately. Before hiking volcanic mountains, be alert to signs of volcanic activity and advisories from authorities. Travel with a flashlight, a portable AM/FM or short wave radio, spare batteries, packaged snacks, and bottled water.

Forest fires have been common in the last two years in Chile. In January and February (peak summer months) 2018, there were massive fires between Valparaiso and the region of La Araucanía, 9,000 km away, and where many holiday destinations are found. Pay special attention to the National Emergency Office of the Ministry of the Interior (ONEMI) for possible fire warnings.

Personal Identity Concerns

There are no legal restrictions on adult same-sex sexual relations or the organization of LGBTI events in Chile. There have been cases of discrimination due to sexual orientation and gender identity, including cases involving violence or death. Laws also prevent transgender persons from changing gender markers on government-issued identity documents.

Many public places and transportation are not adapted to accommodate the needs of persons with disabilities. For information on handicap accessible locations in Santiago and other locations, visit the Chilean National Disability Agency (SENADIS) or MapCity.com.

Police Response

Police/Security Agencies

The Carabineros are the uniformed force and have primary responsibility for crime prevention, order, and traffic control. They are one of the most professional and well-trained, and least corrupt police forces in Latin America.

The Policía de Investigaciones (PDI) is a plain-clothed investigative police agency similar to the U.S FBI. The PDI deals primarily with criminal investigations and is in charge of immigration, and responds to residential burglary investigations, cybercrime, narcotics investigations, counter terrorism, and immigration issues.

6 Medical Emergencies

Medical services are modern and similar to what one would find in the U.S. However, outside of Metropolitan Santiago, the level of medical care can vary greatly. Hospitals with ambulance services and pharmacies exist in great numbers in Santiago. You must have a doctor’s prescription to obtain certain medicines, such as antibiotics.

Contact Information for Available Medical Services

For medical assistance, refer to the Embassy’s Medical Assistance page.

Available Air Ambulance Services

Rescate Alemana: Tel: +(56) 22910 9911

Country-specific Vaccination and Health Guidance

The CDC offers additional information on vaccines and health guidance for Chile.

OSAC Country Council Information

The Country Council in Santiago is active, meeting annually and as needed. Interested private- sector security managers should contact OSAC’s Latin America Team with any questions.

U.S. Embassy Location and Contact Information

Embassy Address and Hours of Operation

Av. Andrés Bello 2800, Las Condes, Santiago, Chile Embassy Hours: 0830 - 1700

Embassy Contact Numbers

Operator: 56 (2) 2330-3000 Website: http://cl.usembassy.gov/

Embassy Guidance

U.S. citizens traveling to Chile should register with the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to ensure they receive pertinent security updates and notices.

Additional Resource: Chile Country Information Sheet

7