President José Antonio Kast appointed Marcia Raphael as the new undersecretary for Women and Gender Equality, replacing Daniela Castro, who was removed on Tuesday amid tensions with Minister Judith Marín.
The president resolved the change after months of differences between Castro and Marín over ministry leadership, staff dismissals, and the public exposure of both officials. Senate President Paulina Núñez had asked Kast to intervene in the conflict, which also caused friction between Renovación Nacional and the Partido Social Cristiano.
Castro, who served as undersecretary, had expressed her discomfort over the lack of autonomy and the unsustainable relationship with the minister. An association of ministry staff defended Marín and accused RN of inventing the conflict.
In parallel, the government ratified Carolina Rossi as undersecretary of Science on a permanent basis. Rossi had been serving in an acting capacity since Rafael Araos left in April.
