CHILE · SECURITY
Key Facts
- —What is happening Chile’s government is weighing a refusal to sign the US-led military Americas Counter Cartel Coalition, ahead of a US-led meeting on Tuesday, 27 October in the Dominican Republic.
- —Why it matters A Chilean no would be a public break with Washington’s flagship hemispheric security plan, weeks after Chile joined the political Shield of the Americas, and, US sources say, could leave Chile as the only member not signing.
- —The numbers About 19 members and observers were convened for the 27 October meeting, and 15 governments signed the 22 September Shield statement that Chile joined. A last-minute change is still possible.
- —Who is who President José Antonio Kast leads Chile, and Defence Minister Fernando Barros was invited. US War Secretary Pete Hegseth leads the meeting, and the coalition is a US-led military cooperation body against cartels.
- —What to watch Whether La Moneda, the presidential palace, announces its decision before the meeting, whether Chile attends as a full signatory, an observer or not at all, and what Washington says.
- —Power Index Chile ranks 3rd of 14 in The Rio Times Latin America Power Index, with 63.6 points (October 2026 edition).
- —What it means for you For US readers, a Chilean refusal would show limits to Washington’s Latin American security push, while a yes would add a military partner on the Pacific coast.
Chilean media report that the Kast government may decline to sign a US-led military anti-cartel coalition. Officials have not confirmed it.
Chile may refuse to sign a US-led military anti-cartel coalition, Meganoticias reported on Thursday, 22 October. Executive sources say Santiago has reportedly told Washington it may say no, but no decision has been announced.
The Chile cartel coalition question arises before a meeting on Tuesday, 27 October in the Dominican Republic. US War Secretary Pete Hegseth leads it, and Chile’s Defence Minister Fernando Barros was invited.
What Meganoticias Reported
Meganoticias said on 22 October that President José Antonio Kast’s government is preparing to decline the Americas Counter Cartel Coalition (A3C). The coalition is the military part of the Shield of the Americas, a security alliance promoted by US President Donald Trump.
Executive sources told the channel that Chile has reportedly told Washington it may say no. BioBioChile, citing La Radio, wrote that the Defence Ministry will decide next week if domestic law allows joining.
BioBioChile adds that the decision is not settled. Meganoticias says Palace sources admit everything could change at the last minute.
Why Chile Is Hesitating
Meganoticias says the doubts concern what the coalition’s forces may do. One fear is lethal force inside other American countries, and Barros is reported to be a sceptic.
In September, when Chile joined the Shield, Barros said it would not compromise sovereignty or create obligations, Meganoticias recalls. Signing the A3C, the channel argues, could open the door to the military component he then ruled out.
BioBioChile adds that the government must also check whether Chilean law allows the commitments. Meganoticias says the Palace has been under strong domestic and foreign pressure to sign.
How Chile Joined the Shield in September
Chile’s foreign ministry announced on Tuesday, 22 September that Chile joined the Shield group, El Dinámo reported. It listed benefits such as intelligence access, data analysis and police training, and said each state acts under its own legal obligations.
Kast joined the Shield meeting hosted by Trump in New York on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, El Dinámo reported. Former presidents Michelle Bachelet and Gabriel Boric later asked him to reconsider Chile’s place in the Shield, Pauta reported.
Foreign Minister Francisco Pérez Mackenna told senators on Wednesday, 7 October the text has no joint forces, bases or troops. He said it states political intentions and creates no legal obligations, Pauta reported.
Washington’s Push and the Domestic Debate
Meganoticias says the US Embassy in Santiago lobbied government-aligned legislators this week to reverse the decision. They include National Renewal senators Manuel José Ossandón and Andrés Longton, and Republican Party president Arturo Squella.
Ossandón, president of the Andean Parliament, told the channel Chile cannot end up like Colombia, Ecuador and Peru with organised crime. He added that any partnership must protect sovereignty.
US executive sources told Meganoticias that joining would not cost sovereignty. They said each military action would need national approval, and that Chile would be the only Shield member not signing.
Refusing the A3C would not by itself remove Chile from the Shield, Meganoticias reports. Palace sources also weigh joining as an observer, which would avoid the full conditions.
Meganoticias says the government awaits Foreign Minister Pérez Mackenna’s return from Europe to decide over the weekend. Esta Pasando repeats that the answer would be communicated on Monday, which would be 26 October.
What It Means for US Readers
Chile’s choice signals how far Washington’s anti-cartel campaign reaches in South America. A refusal would not end cooperation, because Chile could stay in the political Shield and keep sharing intelligence.
Investors and travellers should expect no immediate change, since nothing is signed and no decision date is official. Related moves include Argentina adding the Sinaloa cartel to its terror list and the Guyana defence partnership signed at the Pentagon.
See also Uruguay hosting 10 US agents, Bolivia asking US backing for two police units and the Chile expulsion law. The Chile news hub carries the latest national news.
What Is Not Known
The government has not publicly confirmed the report, and no on-the-record statement from La Moneda or the ministries was found. The story rests on unnamed sources first reported by Meganoticias in a single exclusive, and other outlets repeat it.
It is not known whether Chile will attend the 27 October meeting, send a delegation, or take observer status. The text of the A3C agreement and what exactly signatories commit to were not available.
The US claim that Chile would be the only Shield member not signing is not independently confirmed. Figures also differ, with Meganoticias citing 19 members and observers and BioBioChile expecting 19 to 20 signatories.
What Comes Next
Next week the Defence Ministry is due to assess whether Chilean law allows joining. Meganoticias and Esta Pasando report that the answer would come on Monday, 26 October, before the Tuesday, 27 October meeting.
A no to the coalition would not mean leaving the Shield, and a yes could still come as observer status. Any of these outcomes remains possible until officials speak.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Americas Counter Cartel Coalition?
It is a US-led military cooperation initiative against cartels in the Americas, part of the Shield of the Americas. Its agreement is due to be signed on 27 October.
Has Chile decided to stay out?
Not officially. Meganoticias reports the government is preparing to say no, but sources say the decision could change at the last minute.
Would Chile leave the Shield of the Americas?
Not by refusing the coalition alone. Meganoticias says Chile could stay in the political Shield, which covers intelligence sharing and cooperation.
Why is Chile hesitant?
Officials doubt what coalition forces could do, including whether lethal force could be used inside other countries. Chilean law must also allow the commitments.
Who is pressing Chile to sign?
The US Embassy has lobbied government-aligned senators, Meganoticias reports. Washington says joining does not cost sovereignty and every military action needs national approval.
Sources: Meganoticias, 22 October; BioBioChile, 22 October; Esta Pasando, 22 October; El Dinámo, 22 September (foreign ministry statement); Pauta, 7 October (all accessed 23 October 2026).