Death of 12-year-old boy in robbery highlights insecurity in Chile
On June 24, an event shocked Chile: a 12-year-old boy died in the commune of San Bernardo, in Santiago, after suffering a robbery along with his father and aunt, with whom he was returning home.
According to the authorities, a gang of at least five people intercepted them and stole the vehicle, but the minor was trapped in his seat belt and dragged for several kilometers.
After an extensive police operation, Chilean authorities arrested six people linked to the case. Two of them are 17, two are 18, one is 21 and one is 23.
"This is dramatic. We have all been working against crime; the numbers have improved in terms of homicides, violent vehicle thefts, prosecution of criminal cases, but there is no number that can replace the pain of a family", said the president of Chile, José Antonio Kast, that same day.
The general director of the Carabineros, Marcelo Araya, stated during a press conference that same day that those involved had prior records. "These criminals, teenagers, children, whatever you want to call them, don't deserve to be on the streets. They don't deserve to cause so much pain."
According to the interim regional prosecutor for the western region, Paulina Díaz, the detained members of this gang were formally accused of the crimes of robbery with homicide, robbery with violence and robbery with intimidation.
"The severity and threat were such that it meant that the boy in the back seat was unable to escape, becoming trapped by the seat belt and, ultimately, subsequently suffering injuries that ended up causing his death", explained Díaz.
Regarding the penalties that the detainees could face, prosecutor Díaz explained: "In the case of adult defendants, this is perhaps one of the most serious crimes in the system. Our aim will always be the maximum penalty, qualified life imprisonment. And, in the case of minor defendants, the maximum possible will also be requested in accordance with the Adolescent Criminal Responsibility Law, considering the seriousness of the crime, which is ten years."
The court set an investigation period of 120 days and ordered provisional hospitalization in the case of minors and preventive detention for adults.
The fight against insecurity was Kast's campaign promise
Recovering order and security were part of Kast's main campaign promises, who came to power in Chile in March this year.
According to a May 14 report from Chile's Undersecretariat for Crime Prevention, during the first quarter of 2026 there was a 13% reduction in violent robberies in Chile.
Among them, the government highlights drops of 16.9% in robberies with violence and intimidation and 18.3% in violent vehicle theft.
However, events such as that of the minor who died during the robbery reignite complaints in society and test the Kast government's response.
Source: CNN