PDI Director General Eduardo Cerna testified on Monday before the Chamber of Deputies' Security Commission that he decided the retirement of Prefect General Consuelo Peña, subdirector of Intelligence, Organized Crime and Migration Security. He reaffirmed it was an institutional decision per current regulations. Ruling party lawmakers praised the presentation and called to end the generated controversy.
Eduardo Cerna, Director General of the Policía de Investigaciones (PDI), appeared on Monday before the Chamber of Deputies' Security Commission to clarify the departure of Prefect General Consuelo Peña San Miguel from her role as subdirector of Intelligence, Organized Crime and Migration Security.
Cerna stressed that "whoever makes decisions in the PDI is this director general" and detailed that the retirement followed articles 90, 91, and 92 of the Personnel Statute, under the Organic Law of the PDI. He noted Peña, with over 36 years of service (maximum 38), submitted her retirement request in April 2024, which he processed on March 20, 2026. He added that since 2022, 48 general officers have retired, 16 outside year-end.
The statement reaffirms what Security Minister Trinidad Steinert said on March 23 before the same commission, backed by President José Antonio Kast. Amid controversy over alleged ministerial interference due to a past Tarapacá conflict, Cerna maintained it was an institutional decision.
Ruling party lawmakers welcomed the testimony. Deputy Mauro González (RN) stated: "It has been very clear [...] that the service's superior chief makes the decisions". Deputy Marlene Pérez (Ind.-UDI) urged to "respect its institutional nature" and focus on the security crisis. Others, like Francisco Orrego (RN), Álvaro Carter (Republican Party), and Jorge Guzmán (Evópoli), accused the opposition of a "disinformation operation" and demanded an end to the controversy.
