The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Chile () 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.

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. Coordinate implementation of the “National Antarctic Policy” with the various national Antarctic actors, with the aim of strengthening and increasing Chile's influence within the Antarctic Treaty System and thereby promoting Chile's interests in its Antarctic territory. Modernize the structure and management mechanisms of the Ministry of Foreign Relations (the Cancillería) so that it can fully fulfill the objectives of foreign policy and respond to the challenges of a globalized world. Strengthen the role of the Diplomatic Academy as a driver of the diplomatic career through high-quality training, as well as promote greater dissemination of foreign policy through professional-development courses and activities aimed at political, economic, and social actors involved in foreign policy. Continue promoting a country image consistent with national interests, including effective dissemination of Chilean culture.

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.

Functions 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.

Departments Reporting to the General Secretariat of Foreign Policy The following departments report to SEGEN:

Division of South America (División de América del Sur, DIRAMESUR) Division of North America, Central America and the Caribbean (División América del Norte, Centroamérica y Caribe, DIRAMENORTE) Division of Europe (División de Europa, DIREUROPA) Division of Asia-Pacific (División de Asia Pacífico, DIRAPAC) Division of the Middle East and Africa (División de Medio Oriente y África, DIREMOA) Division of Multilateral Affairs (División de Asuntos Multilaterales) Division of Regional Multilateral Integration (División de Integración Regional Multilateral) Division of Antarctic Affairs (División de Asuntos Antárticos) Division of Science, Energy, Education, Innovation, and Astronomy (División de Ciencias, Energía, Educación, Innovación y Astronomía) Division of Cultures, Arts, Heritage and Public Diplomacy (División de las Culturas, las Artes, el Patrimonio y Diplomacia Pública, DIRAC) Division of Human Rights (División de Derechos Humanos) Division of Environment, Climate Change and Oceans (División de Medio Ambiente, Cambio Climático y Océanos) Division of International and Human Security (División de Seguridad Internacional y Humana) Division of Gender Affairs (División de Asuntos de Género)

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

Ministers of foreign affairs and colonization Picture Name Entered office Exited office Notes Appointed by Adolfo Ibáñez Gutiérrez 1871 1875 Federico Errázuriz Zañartu Enrique Cood Ross 1875 1876 José Alfonso Cavada 1876 1878 Aníbal Pinto Alejandro Fierro Pérez 1878 1879 Domingo Santa María 1879 1879 Miguel Luis Amunátegui 1879 1880 Melquiades Valderrama 1880 1881 José Manuel Balmaceda Fernández 1881 1882 Domingo Santa María Luis Aldunate Carrera 1882 1884 Aniceto Vergara Albano 1884 1885 Aníbal Zañartu Zañartu 1885 1886 Joaquín Godoy Cruz 1886 1886 José Manuel Balmaceda Francisco Freire Caldera 1886 1887

Ministers of foreign affairs and worship Picture Name Entered office Exited office Notes Appointed by Miguel Luis Amunátegui Aldunate 1887 1888 José Manuel Balmaceda Augusto Matte Pérez 1888 1888 Demetrio Lastarria 1888 1889 Mariano Sánchez Fontecilla 1889 1889 Eduardo Matte Pérez 1889 1890 Juan Castellón Larenas 1890 1890 Juan Eduardo Mackenna Astorga 1890 1890 José Tocornal Jordán 1890 1891 Domingo Godoy Cruz 1891 1891 Ricardo Cruzat Hurtado 1891 1891 Manuel Aldunate Solar 1891 29 August 1891 Manuel Antonio Matta 7 September 1891 26 December 1891 Revolutionary Junta of Iquique Luis Pereira Cotapos 26 December 1891 1892 Jorge Montt Juan Castellón Larenas 1892 1892 Isidoro Errázuriz Errázuriz 1892 1893 Ventura Blanco Viel 1893 1894 Mariano Sánchez Fontecilla 1894 1894 Luis Barros Borgoño 1894 1895 Claudio Matte Pérez 1895 1895 Adolfo Guerrero Vergara 1895 18 September 1896

Ministers of foreign affairs, worship and colonization