Daniel Merino, an executive from producer Bizarro and director of the Viña del Mar Festival, ended his collaboration with President José Antonio Kast's government on Monday. He effectively served as head of Programming and Production for the Presidency on an ad honorem basis. His departure comes amid internal coordination issues.
Daniel Merino announced on Monday his decision to end his collaboration with La Moneda, where he participated without leaving Bizarro. Sources from the Presidency say he had an institutional email, access to internal coordinations, and joined official tours, such as trips to Arica and Antofagasta in mid-March.
Merino, with over a decade in the entertainment industry, describes himself as entertainment manager at Bizarro Live Entertainment, skilled in artist negotiations and executive production of the Viña del Mar Song Festival, reaching over 250 million viewers annually. He played a key role in Kast's campaign, organizing events like the closing at Movistar Arena.
His departure stems from tensions over coordination issues in activity planning, according to palace sources. He maintained good relations with those close to the president, such as Cristian Valenzuela, Felipe Costabal, and María Paz Fadel, but clashed with Benjamín Jadue, head of advance team, and Catalina Ugarte, chief of staff. One incident arose during a presidential event at Walmart Chile's Lo Aguirre Distribution Center.
Weeks ago, Merino posted on X: “Projects don't fail due to lack of ideas, but excess egos,” a message later deleted and seen in La Moneda as a sign of internal discomfort.
