Chilean Congresswoman Karol Cariola resigned as Speaker of the Lower House after leaked messages criticizing President Gabriel Boric surfaced. She is under investigation for suspected influence peddling and has raised concerns over privacy violations. The political fallout from the scandal has intensified tensions within Boric’s coalition government.
Karol Cariola, the Speaker of Chile’s Lower House, recently submitted her resignation while on maternity leave after private messages criticizing President Gabriel Boric were made public. She is also under investigation for suspected influence peddling involving a request for help from Irací Hassler, former Mayor of Santiago, on behalf of a Chinese businessman. In her leaked conversations, Cariola referred to Boric as “a shitty human being” and described his government as “the worst thing that has happened to us.”
In her resignation statement, Cariola emphasized the need for tranquility in caring for her son, whom she prioritized above all. She defended her actions regarding the Chinese businessman, claiming that her inquiries were legal and proper. Furthermore, she asserted that leaked information had compromised her right to privacy and stressed the importance of an impartial investigation into any alleged illegalities.
President Boric responded on social media, stating, “If there were any crimes, they should be investigated with the impartiality that corresponds to justice, without bias.” The tensions within the coalition have increased as Cariola and Hassler have criticized key officials, including Spokeswoman Camila Vallejo.
In 2023, the Prosecutor’s Office began an inquiry into the controversial purchase of the Sierra Bella building by Hassler for a municipal clinic, suspecting potential overcharging. This investigation led to the raiding of Cariola’s apartment, which she condemned as a violation of her rights during her maternity period.
Subsequently, Prosecutor Ángel Valencia reassigned the case to Claudia Perivancich after removing Patricio Cooper from the investigation. Furthermore, Hassler took legal action regarding the leaked chats with Cariola, labeling them as part of a “political operation.”
In summary, the resignation of Karol Cariola as the Speaker of the Lower House of Chile is tied to leaked conversations criticizing President Boric and subsequent allegations of influence peddling. Her departure highlights significant tensions within the coalition government. The unfolding investigations raise serious questions about political conduct and privacy rights in Chilean politics. Furthermore, the reshuffling of the prosecutorial oversight exhibits the complexities involved in this high-stakes political environment.
Original Source: en.mercopress.com
