Following the closure of the investigation announced earlier this month, the Metropolitan North Central Prosecutor's Office has formally charged former Undersecretary Manuel Monsalve with rape and sexual abuse, requesting 10 years for rape and 4 years for abuse. The defense seeks to reopen the case, with a hearing scheduled for January 20, 2026.
Prosecutor Xavier Armendáriz detailed the charges stemming from incidents on September 22-23, 2024, at the Ají Seco Místico restaurant and Panamericano Hotel in Santiago, where Monsalve allegedly raped the victim while unconscious and abused her the next day without consent.
Building on the investigation closed after over a year (initiated October 14, 2024), the filing includes 89 witnesses—such as President Gabriel Boric and former Interior Minister Carolina Tohá—105 documents, 19 expert reports, and 113 other evidences. Monsalve, previously under preventive detention and now house arrest, faces trial preparation if the defense's reopening bid fails.
Defense attorney Víctor Providel argues for additional proceedings to affirm innocence, as previously indicated after learning of the closure via media reports.
