Independent Lawmaker Calls for Suspension of Cristián Valenzuela Amid Controversy Over Statements on Chile’s Financial Status

Original article: Tras sumario ordenado por Contraloría: Piden suspender a Cristián Valenzuela de sus funciones en la Dirección de Comunicaciones y Contenidos de la Presidencia Independent lawmaker Jaime Araya has formally requested the government’s spokeswoman, Mara Sedini, to suspend Cristián Valenzuela (pictured) from his position in the Directorate of Communications and Content of the Presidency, along with Felipe Costabal, the current director of the Government Communications Secretariat under Kast’s administration. This request comes as an administrative investigation ordered by the Comptroller’s Office is underway, following a social media post that claimed the state of Chile was «bankrupt. » «As we have denounced, the Comptroller now requires the government spokeswoman to conduct an investigation for using public resources to mislead and damage our country’s image.

I urge Minister Sedini to, in accordance with the administrative statute, suspend Valenzuela and Costabal from their duties and separate them from the government during this inquiry,» stated the legislator. Additionally, Araya called on Minister Sedini to «assign an impartial investigator who can pursue the accountability for the significant damage caused to our country’s international credibility. » As reported by El Ciudadano on Wednesday, April 29, the General Comptroller’s Office (CGR) has initiated an investigation in the General Secretariat of Government (Segegob) to ascertain potential administrative responsibilities of those involved in the social media claim that the state of Chile was «bankrupt.

» The regulatory body has set a 5-day deadline for Segegob to report the findings of the disciplinary process, also demanding measures to prevent further «imprecise communications.