Supreme Court minister Diego Simpertigue defended his role in rulings linked to the Belarusian plot, as judicial fiscal suspended conservador Sergio Yáber for alleged ties. Deputy Cristián Araya faces claims of receiving payments, affecting José Antonio Kast's campaign. These developments highlight irregularities in a dispute between Consorcio Belaz Movitec and Codelco.
The so-called Belarusian plot, investigated by the Los Lagos prosecutor's office for alleged bribes in a dispute between Consorcio Belaz Movitec (CBM) and Codelco, has seen new developments. In July 2023, the Supreme Court ordered Codelco to return machinery and over $11 billion withheld for the Rajo Inca project at División El Salvador. According to the Public Ministry, CBM lawyers Eduardo Lagos and Mario Vargas paid about $70 million to Gonzalo Migueles, partner of former minister Ángela Vivanco, to secure the favorable ruling.
Supreme Court minister Diego Simpertigue, who participated in two related votes (5-0 in September 2023 and 4-1 in March 2022), issued clarifications on six questioned points. He argued he did not know the parties' lawyers, thus no disqualifications applied, and his 2023 and 2024 trips with Lagos were arranged by their wives, who are friends. Regarding his son-in-law César Maturana, who has been in 19 shortlists for notarial positions without appointment, Simpertigue denied influences. In the Fundamenta case, he voted against the claimant. Finally, he stressed that the Court president assigns sala members.
Meanwhile, judicial fiscal Carla Troncoso of the San Miguel Court of Appeals provisionally suspended Puente Alto conservador Sergio Yáber in an administrative inquiry started on November 10 by Minister María Catalina González, due to serious facts reported in the press. The measure, appealable to the Pleno, relies on investigation evidence, including raids and deposits from Yáber-linked companies to Migueles, totaling $45 million allegedly distributed. A phone intercept revealed Yáber paid $1.7 million to Republican deputy Cristián Araya for information against accusations on a former minister.
This link has opened a flank in José Antonio Kast's campaign for the December 14 runoff against Jeannette Jara. Since Wednesday, Kast's team has responded at least four times, with the candidate stating in Arica: “here we do not make corporate defenses” and calling it “defamations.” Araya, brother of Kast's chief of staff Carolina Araya, denies involvement and offers himself for investigations. Spokespeople like Arturo Squella and Ruth Hurtado insist on lack of solid evidence but warn of possible internal sanctions if more proof emerges. The case could complicate the Republican agenda, similar to previous controversies like bots in the first round.
