During President José Antonio Kast's promulgation of the constitutional reform restructuring Gendarmería—initially announced by Gabriel Boric amid a 2025 prison corruption scandal—a Gendarmería official fainted at the Escuela de Formación Penitenciaria de Gendarmería José Joaquín Prieto. The incident concerned attendees, including Kast, with Senator Castro providing aid; her condition remains unknown.
President José Antonio Kast promulgated the constitutional reform integrating Gendarmería into the Fuerzas de Orden y Seguridad on Thursday at the Escuela de Formación Penitenciaria de Gendarmería José Joaquín Prieto, flanked by Justice Minister Fernando Rabat and Security Minister Trinidad Steinert.
The reform, first announced by outgoing President Gabriel Boric in December 2025 following Operation Apocalipsis—a probe that exposed widespread prison corruption—unifies strategic command under security forces. Prison custody and security functions shift to the Ministry of Public Security, while social reintegration remains under Justice and Human Rights.
In his speech, Kast stated: "Today, with this reform, we give that coordination and an organic constitutional framework that was so necessary to face this new phenomenon of organized crime." He emphasized: "It is not about subtracting powers from anyone; it is about organizing the State to function coherently against a threat."
The ceremony was disrupted when a Gendarmería official fainted, prompting concern from those present, including the president. Senator Castro quickly rushed to assist her, though her health status has not been reported.
