ON
← Back to feed
Ramírez supports continuity of Rabat and accuses Boric government of breaking the law for reduction of sentences
CL🏛️ PoliticsConservativeOverlooked by progressives

Ramírez supports continuity of Rabat and accuses Boric government of breaking the law for reduction of sentences

Guillermo Ramírez, president of the UDI party, publicly supported Justice Minister Fernando Rabat during a political crisis triggered by the reduction of prison sentences for 56 individuals convicted of sexual offenses. While acknowledging the legal controversy surrounding the sentence reductions, Ramírez argued that prioritizing political considerations over judicial rulings was problematic but defended the minister’s performance, stating he should not resign. He proposed that the issue be resolved through legislative reform rather than cabinet changes, noting that President José Antonio Kast was dissatisfied with the situation. Additionally, Ramírez criticized the previous administration under Gabriel Boric for failing to properly handle similar legal decrees, arguing they shifted responsibility to the Supreme Court without resolving the underlying issues. The article also covers internal tensions within the governing coalition, specifically addressing a dispute between Arturo Squella and former Justice Minister Hernán Larraín, which has since been defused.

The Republican Party has entered into a sharp internal conflict with its coalition partners, the Union for Democracy Independent (UDI) and Renewal National, over the retention of Justice Minister Fernando Rabat. This dispute erupted following the administration’s issuance of decrees reducing prison sentences for individuals convicted of sexual offenses against minors. While a Tuesday lunch meeting among Republican deputies had suggested avoiding new disputes with the Chile Vamos alliance, recent public demands from UDI and Renewal National lawmakers for Rabat’s resignation have exhausted the patience of the party founded by President Jose Antonio Kast. Several Republican representatives have moved to publicly defend the President’s decision to keep Rabat in his post. Vicente Bruna, the general secretary of the Republicans, expressed regret over what he described as friendly fire during an interview on the podcast Como Te Lo Explico. He stated that such criticism should remain private so solutions can be found within the government. Deputy Agustin Romero adopted a harsher tone on the program Sin Filtros, criticizing colleagues who supported Kast during the election but now hesitate to back him. Romero argued that all deputies were elected as Kast’s representatives and must support the President’s decisions. He rejected suggestions that the minister should step down, asserting that the current moment requires unity behind the executive branch. Deputy Luis Fernando Sanchez aligned with Romero, stating that it is unjust to blame a minister for applying laws approved by Congress over the past two decades. Sanchez characterized legal guarantees as products of previous left-wing governments and claimed Rabat was the only justice minister he knew who actively fought against penal leniency in Congress to enforce stricter penalties. Deputy Alejandro Riquelme condemned calls for executive resignations from within the governing coalition as a lack of loyalty and political cowardice. He criticized officials who sought positions for their associates during the campaign but now hide or criticize the government when decisions are unpopular. Riquelme specifically highlighted the conduct of Senator Maria Jose Gatica of Renewal National, who left a political committee at La Moneda on Monday after demanding Rabat’s departure. The Republican leadership noted that Gatica’s husband, Samuel Valenzuela Salazar, works for Sercotec. Republican deputy Paz Charpentier stated that one does not abandon the President for executing the Constitution and laws, nor ministers for acting within their competencies. Deputy Javiera Rodriguez also weighed in on the matter. Meanwhile, UDI leader Guillermo Ramirez defended the continuity of Rabat while acknowledging the sensitivity of prioritizing political criteria over legal ones. Speaking on Mesa Central on Channel 13, Ramirez argued that it is difficult to ask a minister to act contrary to court rulings and clear statutory requirements just to avoid political problems. He declared that Rabat should not resign, calling him a revelation in the cabinet and praising his performance in Congress. Ramirez indicated that President Kast is dissatisfied with the situation caused by the sentence reductions but insisted the solution lies in legislative modification. He predicted that a bill announced by the minister would pass quickly and unanimously. Ramirez accused previous administrations, specifically the government of former President Gabriel Boric, of failing to comply with the law regarding procedural stages. He asserted that the Boric administration refused to sign certain decrees yet allowed individuals to be released anyway, thereby transferring responsibility to the Supreme Court without resolving the underlying issue. The controversy over sentence reductions triggered a secondary clash involving Republican leader Arturo Squella, who posted on social media comparing former Justice Minister Hernan Larraín of the UDI to Paul Schaefer, the leader of the Colonia Dignidad settlement. Following this exchange, which included critical statements from Evopoli leader Luciano Ruiz Coke, Ramirez, and former deputy Maria Jose Hoffman, tensions escalated. Larraín stated that after multiple conversations, the parties managed to prevent the issue from escalating to a point that could harm the government. Ramirez confirmed that Squella apologized to him personally and subsequently called Larraín, who resides in Spain, to offer apologies. Although Ramirez described Squella’s words as injurious and unacceptable, he valued the approach taken to de-escalate the conflict. He warned that such internal fights damage the government’s capacity to coordinate and pass projects in Congress, distracting from essential issues. The reduction of sentences for 56 people sentenced for sexual crimes initially sparked the crisis at La Moneda, drawing widespread rejection despite the legal basis cited by the defense.

How this report was made. Objective News wrote this report from 2 source articles, using AI-assisted synthesis under our methodology. It is our own text, not a copy of any single outlet. Read our methodology.

Responsible editor: Matej BašaSpotted an error? Report it

Go to the primary sources (1)

The official sources this coverage is built on. Read them directly to bypass framing.

3 reports

BioBioChile logoBioBioChileIndependentConservativeFactual 85Objective 65
Cecilia Bolocco stops user who questioned her support for Kast and accuses Boric of not prioritizing cancer

The article discusses an ongoing legal process involving Cecilia Bolocco, who has reportedly stopped a user questioning her support for José Antonio Kast. Bolocco accuses Gabriel Boric of not prioritizing cancer issues. The article includes warnings about potential spoilers and explicit content, along with resources for health and emergency services. It also mentions that the charges may be dismissed after investigation and emphasizes that the accused should not be considered guilty until a court sentence is issued.

Bias read (Conservative): The article frames Cecilia Bolocco's actions in a manner that highlights her opposition to Gabriel Boric, suggesting a political alignment with Kast, which is associated with more conservative policies. The emphasis on Bolocco accusing Boric of neglecting cancer issues could imply criticism of Boric

Why factuality (85): The article mentions Cecilia Bolocco confronting a user who questioned her support for Kast and accuses Boric of not prioritizing cancer. This aligns with the general consensus from other sources covering similar events, though specific details are limited due to the lack of a primary source. The ar

Why objectivity (65): The article uses emotionally charged language such as 'frena a usuaria' and 'acusa que Boric no priorizó el cáncer,' which may imply bias or strong opinion rather than neutral reporting. It lacks balance by not providing opposing viewpoints or additional context about the situation being described.

La Tercera logoLa TerceraIndependent🔒ConservativeFactual: no official source document/info detectedObjective 70
Ramírez supports continuity of Rabat and accuses Boric government of breaking the law for reduction of sentences

Guillermo Ramírez, president of the UDI party, publicly supported Justice Minister Fernando Rabat during a political crisis triggered by the reduction of prison sentences for 56 individuals convicted of sexual offenses. While acknowledging the legal controversy surrounding the sentence reductions, Ramírez argued that prioritizing political considerations over judicial rulings was problematic but defended the minister’s performance, stating he should not resign. He proposed that the issue be resolved through legislative reform rather than cabinet changes, noting that President José Antonio Kast was dissatisfied with the situation. Additionally, Ramírez criticized the previous administration under Gabriel Boric for failing to properly handle similar legal decrees, arguing they shifted responsibility to the Supreme Court without resolving the underlying issues. The article also covers internal tensions within the governing coalition, specifically addressing a dispute between Arturo Squella and former Justice Minister Hernán Larraín, which has since been defused.

Bias read (Conservative): The article frames the narrative through the perspective of a prominent right-wing politician who defends the current right-of-center government against accusations of illegality. It emphasizes the defense of the sitting minister and criticizes the previous center-left administration for procedural

Why factuality: no official source document/info detected

Why objectivity (70): The writing style is more restrained and journalistic compared to the first article. While it presents the UDI's viewpoint clearly, it does so through direct quotes and attributed statements without excessive editorializing or dramatic metaphors. It remains relatively neutral in presenting the polit

La Tercera logoLa TerceraIndependent🔒ConservativeFactual: no official source document/info detectedObjective 40
Rabat case: Republican Party clashes with UDI and RN over oversight

The Republican Party has entered into a sharp internal conflict with allied parties UDI and Renewal National over the handling of Justice Minister Fernando Rabat. While some members of the coalition initially suggested avoiding new disputes with the Chile Vamos alliance, recent demands by UDI and RN parliamentarians for Rabat’s resignation triggered a defensive reaction from Republicans. The dispute centers on executive decrees signed by President José Antonio Kast that allow for reduced prison sentences for child abusers and rapists, a move criticized by allies but defended by Republican leaders as necessary legal application. Prominent Republican figures, including Secretary General Vicente Bruna and Deputy Agustín Romero, accused their allies of disloyalty and opportunism, arguing that those who supported Kast during the election must now back his administration. Other deputies emphasized that Rabat has actively worked against lenient criminal justice policies, contrasting him with previous administrations.

Bias read (Conservative): The article frames the conflict through the lens of Republican leadership defending the current right-wing government against criticism from other right-wing factions. It highlights quotes emphasizing loyalty to President Kast and characterizes the opposing views within the coalition as 'cowardice'

Why factuality: no official source document/info detected

Why objectivity (40): The tone is somewhat dramatic and biased. Opening with a metaphor about an active volcano erupting sets an alarmist mood. Phrases like 'colman la paciencia' (run out of patience) and quoting Romero's colloquial and aggressive language ('compadre', 'selfie') lean towards a sensationalized or partisan

How each side covered it

The same event, grouped by the political lean of the outlets covering it.

How each side covered it

Support independent, bias-aware news and unlock the social pulse, community voting, and every other Supporter feature.

Become a Supporter

Covered around the world

The same event as reported in other countries.

Covered around the world

Support independent, bias-aware news and unlock the social pulse, community voting, and every other Supporter feature.

Become a Supporter

Claims check

Key factual claims, and how many sources assert vs dispute each.

Claims check

Support independent, bias-aware news and unlock the social pulse, community voting, and every other Supporter feature.

Become a Supporter

Keep the news honest.

ObjectiveNews is reader-funded and ad-free — we show you the bias instead of hiding it. Support independent journalism for €4/month.

Become a Supporter

Related stories