Chilean Lower House Speaker Karol Cariola Resigns Amid Controversy
Chilean Congresswoman Karol Cariola resigned as Speaker of the Lower House amidst controversy after leaked messages criticized President Gabriel Boric. Investigated for alleged influence peddling, Cariola cited her son’s wellbeing as a reason for her resignation. The scandal has intensified tensions within Boric’s coalition and prompted criminal complaints following privacy violations.
Karol Cariola, the Speaker of the Chilean Lower House, has resigned while on maternity leave following the emergence of leaked private messages, where she made derogatory remarks about President Gabriel Boric Font. Currently, she is under investigation for alleged influence peddling involving a request to a former mayor on behalf of a Chinese businessman. Cariola reportedly stated that Boric was “a shitty human being” and condemned the government as “the worst thing that has happened to us.”
In her resignation statement, Cariola emphasized the need for tranquility to care for her newborn son, declaring her family as her priority. She also mentioned, “I must also defend myself from the attacks I am receiving because he needs his mother to be strong.” Cariola defended her actions stating that her role as president of the Chile-China friendship group was merely to seek guidance and not to interfere in any processes.
The scandal intensified when La Tercera published the leaked messages from 2022 between Cariola and fellow Communist Irací Hassler. Controversially, the police conducted a raid at Cariola’s residence to confiscate devices while she was in labor, leading her to denounce the action as a violation of her rights. This incident has created tensions within President Boric’s coalition.
Prosecutor Patricio Cooper had initiated investigations into the failed acquisition of the Sierra Bella building that Hassler planned to convert into a municipal clinic, suspecting overpricing issues. The investigation encompassed the review of leaked communications, which eventually prompted Hassler to file a criminal complaint regarding the unauthorized release of their conversations. The investigation has since been reassigned to a different prosecutor.
The unfolding events have spotlighted inter-party conflicts within the coalition, particularly surrounding the actions of Spokeswoman Camila Vallejo and former Chief of Staff Matías Meza-Lopehandía, emphasizing the polarized political landscape.
The resignation of Karol Cariola from her position as Speaker of the Chilean Lower House reveals the complexities and conflicts inherent in Chilean politics. The leak of private messages and investigations into influence peddling have not only affected Cariola but have also strained relationships within President Boric’s coalition. As investigations proceed, the implications for Cariola and her associates continue to unfold, highlighting the intersection of personal and political challenges in contemporary governance.
Original Source: en.mercopress.com
