Chilean Congresswoman Karol Cariola resigned as Speaker after leaked chats criticizing President Boric were revealed. Under investigation for influence peddling, her resignation comes amid controversy following a police raid during her maternity leave. Internally, strains within Boric’s coalition have increased.
Karol Cariola, the Speaker of the Chilean Lower House, has resigned from her position while on maternity leave following the leak of private messages in which she criticized President Gabriel Boric Font. She is currently under investigation for alleged influence peddling related to requests made to former Santiago Mayor Irací Hassler on behalf of a Chinese businessman, as revealed in the leaked conversations. In these texts, Cariola expressed severe discontent with Boric, calling him “a shitty human being” and describing the current administration as “the worst thing that has happened to us.”
In her resignation statement, Cariola emphasized the need for tranquility in caring for her newborn, asserting that her son is her top priority. “I must also defend myself from the attacks I am receiving because he needs his mother to be strong,” she stated. She claimed her only role in the alleged misconduct was to seek guidance in her position as president of the Chile-China friendship group and denied any intention to intervene illegally in the procedural matters raised.
The situation escalated after La Tercera published leaked text messages between Cariola and Hassler, leading to a police raid on Cariola’s home for evidence collection while she was giving birth, which generated considerable public outcry. Cariola labeled the raid a violation of her and her child’s rights. As the investigation progresses, tensions within President Boric’s coalition have heightened, particularly between Cariola and fellow party members, including Spokeswoman Camila Vallejo and former Chief of Staff Matías Meza-Lopehandía.
The Prosecutor’s Office is examining a botched purchase of a building by Hassler for a municipal clinic, investigating potential overcharging. Controversial messages were uncovered during the seizure of Hassler’s mobile phone. Although Hassler abandoned her plans to purchase the property following a negative official report, she is pursuing legal action against the appraisers. This week, the Chief Prosecutor Ángel Valencia reassigned the case from Prosecutor Patricio Cooper to Claudia Perivancich of Valparaíso. Furthermore, Hassler has filed a complaint about the leaks of their private conversations, asserting it was part of a calculated “political operation.”
The resignation of Karol Cariola as Speaker of the Chilean Lower House highlights serious political tensions and possible legal issues stemming from leaked private communications. While Cariola claims her actions were misconstrued, the fallout reflects broader challenges within President Boric’s coalition. The ongoing investigations into alleged misconduct further complicate the political landscape, emphasizing the urgent need for transparency and justice.
Original Source: en.mercopress.com
