Killings and Prison Torture Raise Alarms Over Gang Crime in Chile

Murders, violent crime and drug seizures have increased
Chile more than tripled spending since 2022 to meet threat

Police and forensic investigators work in the area where the body of Ronald Ojeda was found in Santiago on March 1.
Photographer: Esteban Felix/AP Photos

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By Valentina Fuentes and Philip Sanders

October 30, 2024 at 11:00 AM UTC

This article is for subscribers only.

During Marcelo’s first week in Santiago I prison, he was glad when his fellow inmates handed him a phone so he could call his girlfriend and family.

Before the night was over, the same people would film his screams as he was tortured, demanding that those on his freshly registered contact list send over money to make it stop.