Ana Torres

Opposition rejects nearly all 2026 budget items

October 29, 2025 Ana Torres

The opposition in Chile's Special Mixed Budget Commission rejected nearly all 2026 budget items on Wednesday, in an unprecedented move to force negotiations with the government. The rejection impacts key funding for ministries including Health, Education, and Housing, drawing criticism from officialists who call it election-driven. Discussions will resume in November after elections.

Chamber president does not rule out voting accusation against pardow before elections

October 29, 2025 Ana Torres

Former Energy Minister Diego Pardow was notified of a constitutional accusation over an electricity billing error, with opposition pressure to vote on it before the November 16 elections. Chamber President José Miguel Castro expressed openness to a session on November 15, though Deputy Jaime Mulet stressed respecting deadlines to ensure due process. The government will handle Pardow's legal defense, citing an institutional principle.

Guilds criticize declaration of 99 priority sites for conservation

October 29, 2025 Ana Torres

Chile's Ministry of Environment aims to protect 99 priority sites covering nearly 4 million hectares to meet the goal of conserving 30% of the national territory. However, guilds such as Sonami, CPC, and SalmonChile have criticized the initiative, arguing it creates uncertainty for existing productive activities. Aarón Cavieres, director of the Biodiversity and Protected Areas Service, defends that it does not affect regularized projects.

Matthei intensifies attacks on Boric government as Kast backs substance

October 29, 2025 Ana Torres

Presidential candidate Evelyn Matthei backed her campaign chief's harsh words against Gabriel Boric's government, labeling it 'incapable and indolent' during a visit to Arica. José Antonio Kast agreed on the substance of the criticisms, calling the administration 'failed'. These statements come amid polls showing Johannes Kaiser gaining ground.

Kast explains controversial immigrant expulsion proposal

October 29, 2025 Ana Torres

José Antonio Kast, presidential candidate of the Republican Party, defended his initiative for irregular immigrants to pay for their exit from Chile. At a campaign event, he detailed that they will have 133 days to leave voluntarily with their belongings or face expulsion without benefits. The proposal has drawn criticism from rivals like Jeannette Jara and Evelyn Matthei.

Violence at INBA leads to 15 detentions and three formalizations

October 29, 2025 Ana Torres

A group of about 30 students at the Internado Nacional Barros Arana (INBA) caused disorder on Tuesday in Santiago, throwing Molotov cocktails at Carabineros and leading to the detention of 15 pupils. Three of them were formalized on Wednesday for manufacturing and hurling the incendiary devices. The incident adds to similar disturbances at the Instituto Nacional on the same day.

Preventive prison for 68-year-old man over homicide in San Rafael

A 68-year-old man was charged with qualified homicide after fatally stabbing his 65-year-old friend in San Rafael, Maule Region. The victim's body was found tied up in a public street with multiple wounds. The court ordered preventive detention and a four-month investigation period.

Opposition files constitutional accusation against former minister Pardow

October 27, 2025 Ana Torres

Eleven opposition deputies filed a constitutional accusation against former Energy Minister Diego Pardow on Monday over negligences in electricity tariff calculations that led to excessive billing. The document seeks to disqualify him for five years and criticizes breaches of administrative probity under Article 8 of the Constitution. Meanwhile, a debate emerges over the legal support the government plans to provide to Pardow.

Harrie Lavreysen claims 20th world gold at Santiago track cycling worlds close

October 27, 2025 Ana Torres

Dutch cyclist Harrie Lavreysen capped his dominance at the UCI Tissot Track Cycling World Championships Santiago 2025 with his fourth gold in the individual speed event. Trinidad and Tobago's Nicholas Paul finished fourth in the same race, praising Chilean fan support. The event at Velódromo de Peñalolén ended with acclaim for local organization.

Copper price hits historical record on us-china agreement

October 27, 2025 Ana Torres

Copper prices hit a new historical high of US$4,983 per pound, driven by a preliminary US-China agreement to suspend tariffs. This sparked global optimism that lifted Chile's Ipsa and boosted stocks of firms exposed to Argentina following Javier Milei's victory. US markets also rose, with Nasdaq gaining 1.86%.

Kaiser promises to close border with Bolivia and warns La Paz

Johannes Kaiser, the presidential candidate of the Partido Nacional Libertario, promised to close the border with Bolivia at a campaign event in Osorno. He stressed drastic measures against what he called humiliations by the neighboring country, including a warning about renaming its capital. The statements are part of his security plan for the 2025 elections.

Deputies approve accusation against judge Ulloa by 141 votes

October 29, 2025 Ana Torres

Chile's Chamber of Deputies approved a constitutional accusation against Judge Antonio Ulloa of the Santiago Court of Appeals with a wide majority, over alleged contacts with Luis Hermosilla. The vote, with 141 in favor, one against and two abstentions, sends the case to the Senate next week. Lawmakers highlighted the move as a step toward transparency in the judiciary.

Héctor Noguera's family clarifies his health after Boric's visit

October 27, 2025 Ana Torres

President Gabriel Boric interrupted an official event to visit 88-year-old actor Héctor Noguera, who is in delicate health. The family issued a statement confirming the performer has been under medical treatment for weeks. Boric excused himself at the event, saying he needed to bid farewell to someone close to departing.