Security Minister Trinidad Steinert defended the exit of PDI Intelligence Subdirector Consuelo Peña before the Chamber of Deputies' Security Committee as an institutional decision. Opponents expressed skepticism and announced citations and possible interpellation. The case links to a prior memo on the Clan Chen investigation.
Security Minister Trinidad Steinert appeared on March 23, 2026, before the Chamber of Deputies' Citizen Security Committee, addressing the exit of Consuelo Peña, general prefect and PDI subdirector of Intelligence, Organized Crime, and Migration Security. Steinert insisted it was an 'institutional decision' by the PDI, as Peña had over 30 years of service, and distanced herself from direct involvement: 'I have no grudges with anyone, on the contrary, what we must do today is work for Chile,' she said after the session. Peña was replaced by General Prefect Ricardo Gatica, appointed by director Eduardo Cerna, who reportedly tried to delay the measure, effective administratively that Monday. The controversy stems from a reserved memo sent by Steinert on March 13, days after taking office, requesting details on changes to Tarapacá's Antinarcotics and Organized Crime Brigade (Brianco) officials linked to the 'Clan Chen' probe, which she handled as regional prosecutor. Sources point to prior tensions: in January, after a Clan Chen operation in Iquique's Zofri, Peña ordered transfers of four Iquique officers, including one close to Steinert. Steinert justified her request citing articles 3, 4 D, and 5 of the Security Ministry law: 'What I'm doing is exercising my powers.' Opposition reacted critically. Deputy Jaime Araya (independent-PPD) announced requesting Cerna's citation: 'It seems strange to me that we are wasting such important human capital in the fight against narcotrafficking.' Raúl Leiva (PS) called the memo 'grave' for potentially breaching abstention and will query the Comptroller. Patricio Pinilla (DC) warned of more doubts and possible interpellation. Senator Iván Flores (DC) accused: 'We all know that's not true' about Steinert's justifications.
