Chile - February 2025

On 4 February, President Boric enacted Law 21.732, which replaces the country’s old anti-terrorism law (No. 18.314). The new legislation aims to strengthen law enforcement efforts against terrorism amid a deteriorating security situation linked to a rise in organized crime. The law authorizes special investigative techniques for terrorist crimes, including the controversial "IMSI-Catcher" technology, which enables communication interception and grants access to information about individuals under investigation—as well as those around them. Critics argue that this technology may infringe on the privacy of individuals unrelated to the crimes under investigation. They also raise concerns about the law’s vague definition of “terrorism,” warning it could be misused to target political dissent, as among the new provisions is the ability to prosecute individuals solely for being part of terrorist organizations. The law also criminalizes collaboration with such groups and the financing of terrorism.

Sources: Ministerio del Interior Chile, CIPER, Biobio Chile, Bibilioteca del Congreso Nacional de Chile