The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Chile (Spanish: Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores) is the cabinet-level administrative office in charge of planning, directing, coordinating, executing, controlling and informing the foreign policy formulated by the President of Chile. It is located in the Edificio José Miguel Carrera at Plaza de la Constitución (Constitution Square), in downtown Santiago.
The current minister of foreign affairs (who is also known colloquially as Chancellor) is Francisco Pérez Mackenna.
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History
The office was first organized in 1812, during the War of Independence, under the name of Foreign Affairs Secretariat. It was abolished in 1814, after the Battle of Rancagua, when the Spanish government was re-established.
In 1818, after independence, the secretariat was re-established, but this time as a dependency of the Ministry of the Interior, which at that time was named "Ministry of Government and Foreign Affairs" (1818–1824) or "Ministry of the Interior and Foreign Affairs" (1824–1871). In 1871 is established as a separate government entity.
Mission and objectives
According to the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, its mission is to contribute to the formulation of Chile's foreign policy, directing and coordinating its implementation through its organizational structure and the interaction of public and private actors, in order to safeguard the interests of the country and its citizens in their relations with the world.
The ministry's objectives are as follows:
Work toward building peaceful neighborly relations based on mutual trust, integration, and expanded cooperation.
Promote regional integration through Chile's participation in the various mechanisms currently underway, generating initiatives and areas of convergence among states, organizations, and relevant actors, while recognizing the diversity of development models, mechanisms, and instruments existing in the hemisphere.
Contribute to preserving the territorial integrity and political independence of the Republic of Chile in accordance with international law, through participation in the multilateral system (bodies, organizations, conferences, programs, agencies, etc.), with particular emphasis on Chile's contribution to international peace and security, the full implementation of democracy and human rights, and the promotion of sustainable and equitable development. The ministry also seeks to proactively take advantage of the assistance, capacity-building, and educational opportunities offered by the multilateral system.
Promote and defend recognition of the civic rights of Chilean citizens abroad and develop a migration policy based on respect for international human rights law and the rights of migrants, providing consular assistance and protection to Chilean nationals and foreigners who require consular services in Chile and abroad. It also seeks to strengthen connections and associations among Chilean communities abroad.
Strengthen policies, initiatives, and strategic ties with different regions of the world and countries of interest through political consultation mechanisms and the activities of Chilean missions abroad, in order to advance the country's economic and human development objectives, prioritizing actions aimed at Chile's educational, scientific, and technological development.
Organization
The ministry is composed of two Undersecretariats of State: the Undersecretariat of Foreign Relations and the Undersecretariat of International Economic Relations.
General Secretariat of Foreign Policy
The ministry also includes the General Secretariat of Foreign Policy (Secretaría General de Política Exterior, abbreviated SEGEN), an institution whose purpose is to study, coordinate, implement, monitor, and provide information on the political and diplomatic activities to be carried out by Chilean embassies and missions around the world, in accordance with the relevant directives.
It consists of a national director, a chief of staff, and five secretaries. Since March 11, 2026, the SEGEN has been headed by Ambassador Frank Tressler Zamorano.
SEGEN has five main functions:
As the body responsible for implementing and coordinating Chile's international policy, the General Secretariat receives information provided by Chilean embassies and missions abroad and, in coordination with the minister and undersecretary, issues instructions to embassies and subordinate departments.
The body is also responsible for the “International Meetings in Chile Program” (Programa de Reuniones Internacionales en Chile) and for monitoring the performance indicators and commitments of its subordinate departments. At the same time, it coordinates the implementation of the “Specific Activities Abroad Program” (Programa de Actividades Específicas en el Exterior, PAEE) and “Political and Strategic Engagements” (Acercamientos Políticos y Estratégicos, APE) carried out by Chilean embassies.
It is responsible for coordinating the Ministry of Foreign Relations with other ministries and government bodies on matters affecting Chile's foreign policy. It is also responsible for coordinating international interinstitutional agreements.
SEGEN is responsible for coordinating, reviewing, and approving briefing notes, background materials, and other inputs prepared for the senior authorities of the Ministry of Foreign Relations.
In carrying out its activities, the organization maintains close coordination with the offices of the minister and undersecretary, as well as with the other General Directorates of the Ministry of Foreign Relations.
Subordinate agencies
Five agencies also operate under the ministry:
General Directorate for the Promotion of Exports (Dirección General de Promoción de Exportaciones, PROCHILE): Implements the policies formulated by the ministry concerning participation in foreign trade, in accordance with ministry directives regarding the promotion, diversification, and encouragement of exports of goods and services.
Chilean Agency for International Cooperation for Development (Agencia Chilena de Cooperación Internacional para el Desarrollo, AGCID): Provides advice on international development cooperation and promotes South-South and triangular cooperation, both as a recipient and provider, particularly in Central America and the Caribbean.
National Directorate of State Borders and Boundaries (Dirección Nacional de Fronteras y Límites del Estado de Chile, DIFROL)
Chilean Antarctic Institute (Instituto Antártico Chileno, INACH)
Andrés Bello Diplomatic Academy (Academia Diplomática Andrés Bello, ADAB): An institution responsible for the education and preparation of members of Chile's Foreign Service.
Titulars
Additional information
See also
Foreign relations of Chile
List of diplomatic missions in Chile
List of diplomatic missions of Chile