Science Sector Faces Shake-Up as Deputy Secretary Rafael Araos Resigns Amid Dispute with Minister Lincolao Over Layoffs

Original article: Ciencia se suma al desfile de renuncias del gobierno de Kast: Araos deja el cargo tras quiebre con Lincolao por despidos Amid a series of resignations that have unfolded in the early months of José Antonio Kast’s administration, Deputy Secretary of Science Rafael Araos has stepped down following a conflict with the portfolio’s minister, Ximena Lincolao, over pressures to carry out a significant wave of layoffs that he refused to execute. The fallout, which appeared to cool during Lincolao’s trip to the United States, was finalized as soon as she returned to Chile: Araos walked the halls of the department to bid farewell to his staff on the same day that the Cabinet member resumed her duties. Hours later, La Moneda confirmed the resignation through a statement, affirming what Araos’ circle had already considered a foregone conclusion.

The differences between Araos and Lincolao were no secret within the ministry. Tensions rose on April 30 when the minister directed the then-deputy secretary to develop a layoff plan impacting nearly forty employees, or about 30% of the ministry’s workforce, amid Kast’s ongoing austerity measures. According to reports from La Tercera, sources close to Araos indicate that the infectious disease specialist, who was educated at Harvard and has a notable public health record during the pandemic, refused to approve the layoffs.

His stance was so firm that he even offered his own resignation during that discussion, although it did not materialize at the time. Lincolao’s trip to the United States, as part of the foreign minister’s «Choose Chile» initiative, temporarily halted the conflict, but she left behind explicit orders before her departure: the layoffs were to proceed without exception. This directive ultimately became the breaking point.

As noted by the cited media, Lincolao’s return to Santiago on Monday reignited the accumulated tension, leading to Araos’ irreversible resignation. However, his departure was not solitary: two of his closest aides, Camila Skewes, chief of staff, and Alejandra Tagle, head of the Legal Division, also left the organization. The loss of these personnel significantly impacts the minister, particularly as, under the fiscal adjustments pushed by the government, the Science ministries had merged their teams, leaving Lincolao without her primary supporters.

Carolina Rossi, director of Emerging Technologies, who only began working with Lincolao in early April, will serve as acting deputy secretary. Rafael Araos, a professional with no political affiliation, was a key recruitment of the minister herself. His background included serving as head of the Epidemiology Department at the Ministry of Health during the pandemic and leadership roles in epidemiological surveillance initiatives.

First Deputy Secretary to Depart Kast’s Cabinet With his resignation, he becomes the first deputy secretary to leave Kast’s cabinet, joining a list of 20 regional ministers who have already taken the same path, sparking significant criticism and raising questions about the management and preparedness of the far-right administration, while also casting doubts on the rigor of the selection process for authorities. Meanwhile, the atmosphere within the Ministry of Science is described as unsustainable, marked by tensions between staff and Lincolao, according to La Tercera.