Chileans are preparing to go to the polls to elect a new government and for the first time, education, health and the economy have taken a back seat when it comes to top priorities.
Instead - crime and migration are now top concerns for many.

Santiago

Chile is experiencing a notable rise in violent crime, including homicides, kidnappings, and robberies, which has made public security a leading concern among citizens. This increase in crime has coincided with a significant influx of migrants, particularly from Venezuela, resulting in a rapid demographic shift over the past decade.

The changing social landscape has led to heightened scrutiny of migrants, with some Chileans associating the rise in crime with the growing foreign-born population. Media coverage has amplified public fears, and political candidates are increasingly linking crime and migration in their campaigns, with calls for stricter border controls and tougher measures against undocumented migrants.

Chile votes, with crime and migration top concerns

Chileans say they long for the days when they used to feel safe, a time that wasn't that long ago. An unprecedented surge in violent crimes has turned security into one of people's primary concerns. Chile has had and continues to have murder rates far below the majority of Latin American countries, but not when Chileans compare themselves with their own history. Homicide rates have doubled. Kidnappings have increased significantly, as have extortion and robbery with violence. And it's happened in a relatively short period. The timing coincides with a mass influx of migrants, especially from Venezuela. They've changed Chile's demographics in record time. Chile has gone, in 2012, from around 1 to 2 percent of the population being foreign immigrants to almost 10 percent now. So it's the speed of change that's been so dramatic in the last 10 years. And the huge spike happened in a period of seven years. Carlos, a Venezuelan barber, has been living in Chile for eight years. Like many, he concedes that foreigners no longer feel as welcome as they once did. Many blame us for importing organized crime. They look at you suspiciously. The innocent ones are paying for the crimes of the guilty. Fear is also amplified by the near nonstop media coverage of any violent crime, even in the morning entertainment shows. Violence, often exaggerated, is good for ratings. Chileans are demanding much stronger and broader police presence like this, but also drastic measures to expel undocumented migrants. In fact, some are going so far as to suggest that the borders with neighboring Peru and Bolivia should be controlled and protected with explosives. And, as is the case in many countries during this election season, Chilean candidates are correlating crime and migration as never before. Lucia Newman, Al Jazeera, Santiago.

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