The Grupo de Operaciones Policiales Especiales (GOPE; ) is the police tactical unit of Carabineros de Chile which carries out high-risk police operations throughout the country, including location and tracking of bombs and explosives, bomb disposal, rescuing people or bodies from places of difficult access, anti-crime raids, and clashes.Carabineros de Chile (June 9, 2026) "GOPE: Prefectura Operaciones Policiales Especiales" YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zzwxcf9MgaA, Date accessed: August 15, 2026 GOPE is a special force of military uniformed police, as stipulated in the Constitutional Act of Carabineros.
History
GOPE was created on 7 June 1979 with the aim of acting as a complementary force to police troops across the country and respond to the various situations that occurred in the country during that time period. The Carabineros de Chile imported study models from North America and Europe to create a specialty on bomb disposal. The first course housed 120 applicants, which only 90 graduated, because some of the applicants were unable to complete strong physical demands of the course. Gope assisted in providing security to Pope John Paul II when he visited Chile on April 1, 1987.Historical Museum of Carabineros de Chile "Conductor del Papamóvil, Manuel Bau: "Vi Carabineros arrodillarse frente al Papa"" Museo Histórico de Carabineros de Chile, https://www.museocarabineros.cl/web/sitio/search/conductor-del-papamovil-manuel-bau-vi-carabineros-arrodillarse-frente-al-papa/693, Date accessed: August 15, 2026 In 2013, the Special Operations Group received the name of Prefecture of Special Operations.Historical Museum of Carabineros de Chile "Cabo 1° María Fernanda Agurto: El GOPE es una actividad muy demandante, pero la satisfacción que uno tiene es increíble" Museo Histórico de Carabineros de Chile, https://www.museocarabineros.cl/web/sitio/reports/cabo-1-maria-fernanda-agurto-el-gope-es-una-actividad-muy-demandante-pero-la-satisfaccion-que-uno-tiene-es-increible, Date accessed: August 15, 2026
In November 2018, Captain Cristian Zárate Cruzat and Non-Commissioned Officer José Ferrada Macaya, from the GOPE, participated in the 2nd World Police Service Pistol Shooting Championship, held in Guangzhou, China.Historical Museum of Carabineros de Chile "Tiro al blanco, glorias deportivas desde 1937" Museo Histórico de Carabineros de Chile, https://www.museocarabineros.cl/web/sitio/search/tiro-al-blanco-glorias-deportivas-desde-1937/839, Date accessed: August 15, 2026 In August of 2026, it was announced that the Grupo de Operaciones Policiales Especiales would represent the Carabineros de Chile at the first international training event of the Network of Special Operations Units of the Eagles Network that is part of Ameripol. As of August 14, 2026, GOPE is led by Colonel Gerardo Anotonio Bascur Villagrán.García, Nicolás (August 14, 2026) "El GOPE de Carabineros de Chile participará en el entrenamiento internacional de la Red Águilas de Ameripol" infodefensa, Grupo Metalia, 2026, https://www.infodefensa.com/texto-diario/mostrar/5984110/gope-carabineros-chile-participara-entrenamiento-internacional-red-aguilas-ameripol, Date accessed: August 15, 2026
Jurisdiction
The Special Police Operations Group has jurisdiction over the entire Chilean national territory, including the Insular Area and the Chilean Antarctic Territory.Historical Museum of Carabineros de Chile "Exposición temporal: Carabineros de Chile en la Antártica" Museo Histórico de Carabineros de Chile, https://www.museocarabineros.cl/web/sitio/search/exposicion-temporal-carabineros-de-chile-en-la-antartica/1283, Date accessed: August 15, 2026 This is to ensure national security and not only state or regional.
Vehicles GOPE vehicles are mostly used for transporting equipment for the work of the EOD section.
Vehicle Origin FunctionHunter TR-12Armoured personnel carrier Sherpa Light Armored Vehicle Mahindra Marksman Panhard PVP Chevrolet Tahoe Equipment Transport Chevrolet Suburban Hyundai H1 Nissan Frontier Toyota Tundra
Fields of operation Their operations can be classified into four different groups:
Counter - terrorism
Hostage rescueCarabineros de Chile (October 21, 2017) "Realidad Virtual Gope de Carabineros 2" YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifqh1iLtQ5o, Date accessed: August 15, 2026 Entry and search
Counter - bombing
Deactivation of explosives Counter bomb search Post detonation investigation
Human rescue
Saturated or contaminated environments Rescue and salvage in aquatic environments Rescue and salvage in highlands
Protection of Person of Interest
Direct security Altitude security (rooftop shooter) Reaction security Search of hotels and installations Search of vehicles
See also Investigations Police of Chile Chilean Army Chilean Navy
References
External links Carabineros official page