Argentine police carried out a detention order against Galvarino Apablaza, former FPMR leader prosecuted as the intellectual author of Senator Jaime Guzmán's murder, but did not find him at his home on Wednesday. The incident coincides with the 35th anniversary of the crime. Chilean authorities are coordinating with Argentina to locate him and proceed with extradition.
Argentine judge María Servini de Cubría issued a detention order against Galvarino Apablaza on Wednesday, after weeks of case review. Police officers arrived at the home the former militant reported to the court in the afternoon, but did not find him. Apablaza had recently lost his political refugee status granted by Argentina, a decision by Javier Milei's government that he is challenging in court.
Chilean Interior Minister Claudio Alvarado called the incident “lamentable”, especially on the 35th anniversary of Jaime Guzmán's murder. “Cancillería has communicated with its Argentine counterparts, who have committed all efforts to locate, detain, and proceed with the extradition process,” he said. PDI Director Eduardo Cerna confirmed coordination with the Argentine Federal Police and Interpol, and announced they would intensify efforts for his capture.
Foreign Minister Francisco Pérez Mackenna met at La Moneda with President José Antonio Kast, Alvarado, and Cerna to discuss the matter. Chile's Foreign Ministry stated that Argentina continues the procedures for detention and extradition, maintaining permanent contact.
Apablaza's lawyer, Rodolfo Yanzon, rejected the order: “They want to violate the Refugee Convention to give a gift to Kast. They will be left wanting.” He added that “there is no extradition to process, what they are doing is illegal” and that his client has no mobility restrictions. UDI president Guillermo Ramírez described it as a flight and urged Argentina to close borders.
