The Chilean Chamber of Deputies asks President Kast for clarification on joining the Shield of the Americas

The Chilean Chamber of Deputies approved, with 66 votes in favour, 72 against and one abstention, a request for President José Antonio Kast to clarify the terms of Chile's membership of the Shield of the Americas, the regional coalition against drug cartels.

The proposal exceeded the quorum of one third of deputies expected for this type of initiative, despite the fact that there were more votes against.

The request was voted on at the end of the question to Foreign Minister Francisco Pérez Mackenna, during which the socialist deputy Nelson Venegas criticized his lack of experience in foreign policy, asking him to resign. "Why don't I resign? Because you are not the President of the Republic", replied the minister.

The parliamentarians ask Kast to forward the joint Shield declarations of May 21, June 23, July 10 and September 23, 2026, indicating who signed or authorized them for Chile.

A legal opinion from the Chancellery was also requested to support the thesis according to which the agreements do not require parliamentary approval, with particular reference to commitments on investments and critical minerals, in addition to the list of national bodies involved and the protocols for the exchange of information and intelligence.