What was supposed to be a routine presentation before the Security Commission of the Chamber of Deputies turned into a tough interrogation for the Minister of Security, Trinidad Steinert. The official arrived at Congress under intense political pressure to explain the reasons behind the departure of General Prefect Consuelo Peña, the highest-ranking woman in the Investigative Police (PDI) and until recently, the Deputy Director of Intelligence. The origin of the controversy: The 'Chen Clan' The controversy erupted after the leak of a confidential document sent by Steinert to the PDI shortly after taking office.
In this document, the minister requested detailed information—including resumes and reasons for transfers—of the officials involved in the investigation against the 'Chen Clan,' a Chinese criminal organization dismantled in Iquique. The peculiarity of the case lies in the fact that Steinert herself, during her previous role as the regional prosecutor of Tarapacá, led that investigation. Internal police sources and opposition lawmakers suggest that the minister may have used her new position to demand explanations about personnel movements that had previously upset her, interpreting Peña's departure as a form of settling scores.
Steinert's defense: 'I have no grudges' In response to the questioning, the minister was emphatic in denying any personal motivation. 'I have no grudges against anyone; on the contrary, what we need to do today is work for Chile,' she stated after leaving the commission. Regarding the removal of the head of Intelligence, Steinert attempted to distance herself by asserting that it was an autonomous decision of the institution: 'As for the deputy director, it is a decision of the Investigative Police that called for her retirement.
She had over 30 years of service and it is part of a restructuring. ' However, her explanations did not convince everyone. Senator Iván Flores (DC) and other lawmakers have described the responses as 'weak' and accuse a 'tremendous damage' to the autonomy of the PDI.
Under congressional scrutiny The opposition does not plan to let the matter rest here. During the session, it was announced that letters would be sent to ascertain whether there was a direct instruction from the Ministry to force Peña's retirement, an act that, according to regulations, requires solid administrative grounds that are now under suspicion. While the PDI has already appointed General Prefect Ricardo Gatica to replace Peña, the atmosphere in the Ministry of Security remains tense, with a minister beginning her tenure facing accusations of politically intervening in police ranks.