Senator Núñez Demands Minister Steinert Resign Over Allegations of Familial Ties to Drug Lawyer, Prompting Legal Action from the Minister

Original article: Senador Núñez afirmó que Steinert «debe dar un paso al costado» por «vínculo familiar con abogado narco» y ministra respondió anunciando querella por «imputación injuriosa» On Thursday, April 30, the afternoon newspaper La Segunda, part of the El Mercurio media group, reported on its front page that Security Minister Trinidad Steinert has a business partnership with a lawyer who defended a drug trafficker. According to the report, the lawyer in question is Rodrigo Irrazabal Izikson, Steinert’s former partner, «who is listed in the registry of defenders in drug trafficking cases as mandated by Drug Law. » The publication sparked immediate reactions from both political and judicial circles.

One notable response came from Communist Party Senator Daniel Núñez, who, commenting on the information from La Segunda, described it as «a grievous error that Minister Steinert has not dissolved the business partnership with her former partner, a lawyer who represented a well-known drug trafficker in a highly publicized marijuana case. » «We all know, and it is known worldwide, that drug trafficking and organized crime seek to infiltrate the State, and from that perspective, the familial connection Minister Steinert has with this lawyer poses a risk in effectively confronting this situation,» the legislator added. Finally, Senator Núñez stated that given these circumstances, Steinert «must step aside, as we need absolute certainty that there are no connections, no possibility of drug trafficking or organized crime pressuring, using, or infiltrating the State of Chile and its highest authorities.

» Following the statements from the Communist Senator, Minister Steinert responded by announcing her intention to file a lawsuit, arguing that the remarks constituted «defamatory allegations. » «I will file a criminal complaint against Senator Daniel Núñez for defamatory accusations that damage my honor. We will maintain zero tolerance for those who harm public servants, just as happened with Minister Lincolao.

Criminal gangs do not intimidate us, nor do the slanders from Mr. Núñez,» the Secretary of State posted on her social media account. Previously, Steinert expressed her annoyance regarding the information published by La Segunda, assuring the press that «the lawyer to whom the headline alludes is my ex-husband, with whom I formed a partnership 25 years ago that never had any transactions and that we did not dissolve after our marriage was annulled,» stating that none of this lawyer’s clients have engaged with the partnership they share.

«On one occasion, 16 years ago, he represented someone connected to the type of crimes mentioned in the newspaper’s headline. For all these reasons, I want to categorically reject the insinuation made by the headline,» Steinert added. We will continue to provide updates.