Chilean Chamber of Deputies Approves Investigative Commission on Trinidad Steinert

Cámara de Diputados secures 62 votes to probe Trinidad Steinert

Legislative Approval Follows Failed Vote

In a reversal of its July 14 decision, the Chamber of Deputies successfully authorized the creation of a special investigative commission to review the tenure of Trinidad Steinert, who served as Security Minister during the administration of President José Antonio Kast. The motion passed with 62 votes in favor, 58 against, and one abstention. The initiative had been presented with 63 initial signatures.

The outcome stands in contrast to the session held one week prior, where the initiative failed to reach the required 62-vote threshold. On July 14, the proposal received 58 votes in favor, 39 against, and six abstentions, resulting in the initiative being desestimada. The failure of the initial vote was attributed to the absence of several deputies from the Frente Amplio, PPD, and the Partido Comunista. Additionally, during that session, independent deputy Carlos Carvajal opted to abstain.

Patricio Pinilla and Raúl Leiva mobilize the opposition for the re-vote

Following the initial rejection, Deputy Patricio Pinilla (DC) expressed regret, stating, “Nosotros estábamos convencidos de que la comisión investigadora es una buena herramienta. Nos permitía aclarar hartos aspectos que eran dudosos de todo el proceso que había involucrado tanto la nominación, gestión y acciones de la exministra.” Pinilla also made a call a la responsabilidad del resto de las bancadas. Similarly, Deputy Raúl Leiva (PS), who serves as the head of the Socialist Party bench, had expressed his commitment to re-presenting the motion, noting, Necesitamos 62 votos y yo creo que se va a aprobar de todas maneras el día lunes con la asistencia de cada una de las diputadas y los diputados. Es importante que se clarifique esta situación.

Contraloría General de la República identifies overstepped PDI powers

Contraloría Findings and Scope of Investigation

The commission’s mandate stems from a dictamen issued by the Contraloría General de la República (CGR), which determined that Steinert exceeded her attributes as an authority. Specifically, the watchdog established that she overstepped her powers by requesting reserved antecedents from the Policía de Investigaciones (PDI) concerning a judicial cause that was in progress.

The commission is tasked with gathering information on several key areas of Steinert’s administration. These include the process of forming the high commands of the Forces of Order and Public Security, the specific requirements for information directed to the PDI, and the general implementation and setup of the new Ministry of Security. The investigative body will also review various actions taken by the former secretary of state during her time leading the ministry.

Renovación Nacional deputies face internal friction over commission support

Political Tensions and Internal Reactions

The formation of the commission has highlighted political fractures within the legislature. While the opposition pushed for the inquiry, the vote revealed differing stances within the ruling coalition. During the failed July 14 vote, four deputies from Renovación Nacional (RN)—Ximena Ossandón and Diego Schalper among them—supported the initiative, an act that drew internal criticism. Deputy Eduardo Cretton remarked, Como oficialismo no podemos perder el norte ni mucho menos pretender que se puede ser oficialista a la carta.

Members of the opposition who are part of the Chamber’s Security Commission and have been active in the process include Jaime Araya (Ind-PPD), Raúl Leiva (PS), Patricio Pinilla (DC), Tatiana Urrutia (FA), and Bernardo Salinas (PC). The commission is viewed by some as a potential precursor to a constitutional accusation, as it provides a formal parliamentary venue to establish facts regarding the former minister’s conduct.

Sources: Biobiochile, cnnchile.com.