The Octavo Juzgado de Garantía de Santiago convicted councilor Andrés Argandoña to 85 days of suspension from public office and other penalties for posts that harmed mayor Sebastián Sichel's honor.
The court handed down the sentence on Wednesday, June 10, 2026. Argandoña, of Frente Amplio, was convicted of slander after October 2025 social media posts that questioned the municipality of Ñuñoa's competitive fund awards. The main 85-day prison term was replaced by one year of periodic signatures at the Centro de Reinserción Social de José Domingo Cañas. He must also pay a fine of 11 UTM and court costs. Mayor Sebastián Sichel welcomed the ruling and stated that “no puede ser gratis en Chile que alguien afecte la honra o use el desprestigio de otra persona como una forma de hacer política”. Councilor Argandoña said his lawyers are reviewing the sentence and that he acted in his oversight role.
