Chile Murders Fall as President Boric Works to Get Upper Hand on Crime

Rates fell in 11 of 16 regions; Santiago was little changed
Interior Minister Toha says data show inflection point

Gabriel Boric, Chile’s president, and Carolina Toha, Chile’s interior minister, left, at La Moneda Palace in Santiago, ChilePhotographer: Cristobal Olivares/Bloomberg

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By Emma Sanchez

April 22, 2024 at 8:02 PM UTC

This article is for subscribers only.

Chile recorded a 6% reduction in homicides in 2023 following a surge the year prior, giving President Gabriel Boric’s administration much-needed respite in its struggle against crime.

A total of 1,248 murders were committed last year, down from 1,330 in 2022, according to data published by the Interior Ministry on Monday. Homicides fell in 11 of the nation’s 16 regions including in the northernmost Arica y Parinacota and Tarapaca, areas with the nation’s highest rates.