The request from the mayor of Maipú, Tomás Vodanovic (RD), to the Minister of the Interior, Carolina Tohá, of having the presence of military personnel in certain control tasks, has generated a new debate in the political worldsince the measure has been signed by different community leaders, while pro-government parliamentarians have been critical of the measure.
During this day, President Gabriel Boric’s reaction came from the commune of Curicó regarding the mayor’s request. The President clarified that the measure must be reviewed and discussed first by the National Congress to become effective.
In this regard, the Head of State maintained that “the military themselves have pointed it out, the commander in chief of the Army, who do not have training to perform public order functionsbut from our perspective they can collaborate in some specific functions to free police officers who are prepared for that,” he indicated in Radio Condell.
Along these lines, he noted that the Government intends to introduce some mechanisms to accelerate the process, such as “a constitutional reform that enables us to do so by decree and that the long discussion in Congress does not have to go to a decree that is transitory, like what we did on the borders in the northern zone,” he said in this regard.
On the other hand, President Boric also pointed out that there must be a long-term discussion regarding the issue, since it must be analyzed which would be the functions that military personnel have to fulfill in peacetime“in a country that has no significant threats of foreign wars.”
“It is a discussion that has taken place in the world, not only in our countryand that may eventually require modifications at the constitutional level, but it is a longer debate,” he added.
Conversation with Vodanovic
The President also maintained that he spoke with the mayor of Maipú about the issue in question and what is requested.
Likewise, he specified that Tomás Vodanovic has recognized the Government’s work in terms of security, adding that there is permanent contact between different mayors and Minister Carolina Tohá when necessary.
The councilors who have subscribed to the request of the communal chief of Maipú are:
- Felipe Munoz (PS) by Father Hurtado.
- Rodolfo Carter (Independent, former UDI) from La Florida.
- Emilia Rios (RD) of Ñuñoa.
- Carolina Leitao (DC) of Peñalolén.
- German Codina (RN) of Puente Alto.
- Cristóbal Lira (UDI) of Lo Barnechea.
- Gonzalo Duran (CS) of Independence.
- Felipe Munoz (Ind.) of Central Station.