By Alexander Villegas

COLCHANE, Chile (Reuters) -Chileans are heading into Sunday’s presidential election consumed by fear over crime, immigration and organized gangs that have taken root in a few short years, a far cry from the wave of left-wing optimism and hopes of drafting a new constitution that dominated the last election cycle.

Polls show crime now eclipses the economy, health or education as Chileans’ top concern. Sixty-three percent said it was their biggest worry in October’s Ipsos What Worries the World survey, placing Chile second among 30 countries including Mexico, Colombia and South Africa.

Chile remains one of the safest countries in Latin America, but the murder rate more than doubled from 2.32 per 100,000 in 2015 to 6.0 in 2024 and kidnappings reached an all-time high

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