Bárbara Figueroa Warns of Authoritarian Shift in Kast’s Constitutional Reform, Comparing President to a Dictator

Original article: “El presidente se transforma en una autoridad más cercana a lo que fue un dictador en nuestro país”: Bárbara Figueroa advierte deriva autoritaria en reforma constitucional de Kast

Bárbara Figueroa, the Secretary General of the Communist Party of Chile, has raised concerns that the constitutional reform proposed by José Antonio Kast’s government embodies a dangerous authoritarian shift, warning that it could turn the president into an authority similar to a dictator, akin to Augusto Pinochet.

“What we effectively have on the table is more than just a security plan or law; it’s a new norm that makes the president a figure more reminiscent of what we’ve seen with dictators in our country, rather than a legitimately elected president with a balance of powers, including the Executive, Parliament, and Judiciary,” she stated in an interview with Radio Nuevo Mundo.

Figueroa cautioned that this project is perilous as it does not offer effective measures for combating organized crime or ensuring public safety. Instead, she argues it essentially leads to a systematic targeting of individuals. “If citizens already feel abandoned by a state that fails to protect them, they will now feel intensely persecuted,” she asserted.

Kast Aims for «Total Control»

The initiative, part of the so-called Agenda Against Organized Crime and Terrorism (ACOT), would enable the far-right president to declare areas under such regimes, with powers similar to those used in times of war, without needing Congress’ approval for up to 240 days, effectively eight months.

Currently, states of emergency in cases of civil war and assemblies in the event of external war require Congressional approval within five days. However, the reform proposes that the state of public security can be maintained without that approval for up to eight months, igniting a significant debate on the balance between security and democratic safeguards.

During this period, Kast would have the authority to limit the rights to assemble, personal freedom—allowing arrests without judicial orders—movement, and association; intercept various communications, including internet communications due to current technology; and requisition property, infringing on ownership rights. All this would occur without requiring a judicial order and would be contingent upon the president’s decisions and the Carabineros authority in charge.

In this context, Figueroa criticized the far-right leader for “aspiring to total control.”

“Now he tells us, as an elected presidential authority, under this new state of exception, that he will have total control over who, by my decision alone, without consulting technical bodies or needing checks from Parliament or the Judiciary, which would exclude social organizations and alternative viewpoints,” she argued.

“Under the guise of protecting and providing security, what will actually emerge is a repressive norm,” Figueroa pointed out.

Kast Promotes «Laws Endorsed by Logic of Persecution»

In her remarks to Radio Nuevo Mundo, Figueroa criticized the governmental narrative surrounding the controversial reform, which has failed to provide detailed content.«It’s strange for the president to sign documents and then tell us they weren’t finalized, asking us to wait for the text, claiming they are just drafts. I wonder: what did the president sign and announce last week? Because he signed a document, and if it wasn’t ready, that raises concerns for all Chileans since the president is announcing things he doesn’t have detailed knowledge of, but which are justified under this logic of persecution,” she explained, also criticizing the government’s reluctance to lift banking secrecy laws.

“Who are they afraid of? Who did they fear? Who are they trying to protect? If that really permits tracking financial flows and addressing the main challenge, which is an uncontrolled circulation of money,” Figueroa expressed.

She concluded by questioning why none of the laws presented by Kast’s government to Congress emphasize the increase in police resources and their material conditions, or the tracking of financial routes, which are essential in combating organized crime.