Cicardini and Manouchehri Promote ‘Institutional Treason’ Bill to Combat Organized Crime Infiltration in Chilean State

Original article: Cicardini y Manouchehri impulsan proyecto de «Traición Institucional» para enfrentar infiltración del crimen organizado en el Estado

Senator Daniella Cicardini and Congressman Daniel Manouchehri, both members of the Socialist Party, announced their plans to advance a legislative proposal that establishes the crime of «institutional treason.» This law aims to penalize public officials who misuse their positions to collaborate with criminal organizations, facilitate their operations, or seek impunity for their members.

The initiative proposes significant penalties, including imprisonment and lifelong disqualification from holding public office, with harsher sentences for those in sensitive areas such as public security, intelligence, criminal prosecution, prisons, and border control.

This bill will be introduced simultaneously in both chambers of Congress. Cicardini and Manouchehri are currently engaging in discussions with legislators from various sectors to gather bipartisan support ahead of its introduction.

Manouchehri remarked, «Chile has crossed a threshold. Organized crime is no longer merely seeking to control the streets; it is infiltrating the State. We have already seen dozens of drug trafficking cases within our security institutions.»

«That is why we propose creating the crime of institutional treason. Any authority or official who uses their position to protect drug traffickers will face prison time and a permanent ban from public office. Sentences will be increased for sensitive roles involving police, intelligence, prisons, or borders. For the first time, it will also be illegal to fund campaigns and parties with drug money. Because those who abuse the power entrusted to them by the people to protect drug traffickers are betraying the State, and such treachery will be punishable by imprisonment,» he emphasized.

The proposal also includes a specific offense for financing political campaigns and parties with money derived from organized crime, holding candidates, campaign managers, electoral administrators, and financial officers of parties accountable if they knowingly utilize these criminal resources.

In this regard, Cicardini stated, «When organized crime manages to buy off a public official, obtain confidential information, or finance a campaign, it ceases to be just a police problem. It becomes a threat to democracy.»

«We want to close that door before it’s too late. Anyone working for drug trafficking cannot continue to represent or work for the State. Therefore, we are seeking broad support. In the face of organized crime, the political system must act united and without any reservations,» she asserted.

We will continue to provide updates.