Catalina Ugarte and Cristóbal de la Maza, Republican Party councilors in Las Condes, resigned to focus on government roles under President José Antonio Kast. Guillermo Plaza and Paulina Dittborn are set to replace them under electoral law. The council will formalize the resignations on Thursday.
Las Condes Municipality scheduled a special session for Thursday to formalize the resignations of councilors Catalina Ugarte and Cristóbal de la Maza. Ugarte, cabinet chief for President José Antonio Kast, resigned on Monday, while De la Maza, advisor at the Ministry of Transport and Telecommunications, did so last Thursday. Both faced criticism for juggling roles with government duties, drawing double incomes and missing sessions.
Electoral law dictates replacements from the same list with the highest non-elected votes: Guillermo Plaza (2.48%) and Paulina Dittborn (2.30%), per César Rojas of the Chilean Municipalities Association. Plaza is a 14-year neighborhood leader backed by deputy Catalina del Real. Dittborn, former undersecretary under Pinochet, is an archaeologist with a master's in educational psychology.
Local councilors reacted to the news. Luis Hadad (RN) stated "there is no incompatibility between being a councilor and working for the State," while Richard Kouyoumdjian (ind RN) welcomed their full dedication to Kast's government. Guillermo Ureta (UDI) praised their "professionalism and mutual respect," and Nayati Mahmoud (FA) appreciated alignment with political promises. Republican general secretary Vicente Bruna called it a voluntary choice for integrity and full commitment.
If Plaza or Dittborn decline, the Republican Party will propose a shortlist for council majority vote. Ugarte and De la Maza did not respond to inquiries.
