The Association of Municipalities of Chile (AMUCH) is currently led by Mayor José Manuel Palacios Parra, from the Municipality of La Reina, and pursues various objectives: strengthening transparency and probity in public management, promoting physical activity and sports in schools, and, of course, coordinating the powers of the state and its agencies in the fight against organized crime.

SeguridadExpo plays a leading role as a sponsor of the exhibition. We asked their spokesperson about coordinating work in a country as vast as Chile, the challenges that exist in terms of security, and the relevance of this exhibition to AMUCH’s work.

How is AMUCH’s work currently shaping up in terms of recovering public space for citizens across Chile? How does this coordination work in such a large and diverse country?

At AMUCH, we understand that public spaces are the heart of community life and that their recovery requires a comprehensive approach. We are promoting strategies that combine security, infrastructure, citizen participation, and cultural offerings, adapted to the realities of each community. Our coordination is based on a network of mayors and technical teams who share diagnoses, best practices, and management tools, allowing us to respond with contextualized solutions in both urban and rural areas. Chile’s geographical and social diversity is a challenge, but also an opportunity to innovate in intervention models that can be replicated nationwide.

Municipalities often take charge of macro issues in places where the state cannot reach. What role does AMUCH play in ensuring that these measures are effective? What is the association’s real scope for addressing these challenges?

AMUCH acts as a liaison between local needs and national public policies. Our role is to support municipalities in their search for efficient solutions, propose regulatory improvements, and facilitate partnerships with the public and private sectors. We have specialized observatories—in security, health, education, and municipal management—that generate evidence and best practices to support decision-making. Although we do not have executive powers over the territory, our reach translates into political advocacy, technical training, and strategic coordination, allowing local initiatives to have greater support and impact.

AMUCH is a sponsor of SeguridadExpo. What relevance do you see in an exhibition like this? How can its implementation contribute to the work you do as an association?

SeguridadExpo is a key space for connecting municipalities with innovative solutions and cutting-edge technologies in crime prevention, emergencies, and crisis management. As an association, we see this exhibition as an opportunity for mayors, security directors, and technical teams to learn about international experiences, establish links with suppliers, and access tools that directly improve the safety of their communities. Our sponsorship reflects our commitment to serving as a bridge between technological offerings and the real needs of communities.

We know that the rise of criminal networks is a real problem in Chile, both in urban and rural communities. How does AMUCH take responsibility for crime prevention and the protection of citizens? What kind of strategies have you implemented or plan to implement in the short and medium term?

AMUCH works on crime prevention from a comprehensive approach, strengthening the capacities of municipal security departments and promoting legislative changes that give municipalities more tools. In the short term, we have developed studies to assess the gaps in investment in security and training, promoting the creation of municipal prevention brigades and the use of technologies such as cameras with advanced analytics. In the medium term, our goal is to consolidate a national municipal security agenda that includes stable financing, clear legal powers, and ongoing coordination with the Carabineros, PDI, and the Public Ministry. The fight against organized crime requires planning, collaborative work, and courageous decisions, and at AMUCH we are committed to leading that effort at the local level.