Chilean administration officials have strongly criticized former presidents Gabriel Boric and Michelle Bachelet for publicly questioning the country's adhesion to the U.S.-led Shield of the Americas security initiative.
Key points
- Former presidents Boric and Bachelet issued a joint statement arguing that the U.S.-led initiative and concepts like continental sovereignty could weaken national sovereignty.
- Interior Undersecretary Máximo Pavez rejected the criticism, stating that international policy should not be used by former leaders to attack the government through the press.
- Government officials defended the agreement as a voluntary coordination mechanism involving over 15 nations to combat transnational organized crime rather than a treaty.
- Administration insiders noted the joint letter surprised President José Antonio Kast while he was returning from New York.
Why it matters
The public clash between current government officials and former heads of state highlights sharp divisions over foreign policy direction and national sovereignty regarding international security pacts.
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