Former director of Cicitem Antofagasta: Rubén Rojo Maturana remains in preventive prison after being formalized for embezzlement

Rubén Rojo Maturana, former director of the Center for Scientific and Technological Research for Mining (Cicitem) in Antofagasta, has been placed under preventive detention following his formal accusation for misappropriation of public funds and fraudulent administration. The decision was issued by Judge Marisol Melgarejo of the Antofagasta Guarantee Court, who cited risks to societal security and potential flight as reasons for the measure. The court set a 90-day investigation period. Rojo Maturana was formally charged by the Antofagasta Crime Analysis System (SAC) fiscal office during an ongoing investigation into allegations of illicit withdrawal and misuse of resources from Cicitem, which he previously led. He was brought before the court as a detainee after failing to appear at a scheduled formalization hearing held 24 hours earlier. His absence prompted the issuance of an arrest warrant, which was executed by the Investigations Police (PDI) on Thursday. According to evidence presented in court, between 2022 and 2025, the accused allegedly transferred more than 300 times from institutional accounts to personal ones, totaling at least $729 million. These funds were sourced from fiscal revenues received by Cicitem through agreements with the Regional Government of Antofagasta and the National Agency for Research and Development (ANID). Many of these transfers ranged between $3 million and $6 million, with over 105 such transactions recorded during the investigated period. In addition, the accused reportedly used credit cards belonging to Cicitem for personal purposes, primarily at gambling establishments. The Antofagasta fiscal office also charged Rojo Maturana with arranging a $180 million bank loan in the name of Cicitem. According to prosecutors, this operation was intended to cover some of the previously siphoned funds. The loan was later extended and restructured, creating new financial obligations for the organization, ultimately resulting in substantial financial harm to the institution. The charges against Rojo Maturana highlight alleged systemic misuse of public funds within a state-affiliated research body. The case underscores broader concerns about accountability in public sector management and the legal mechanisms available to address financial misconduct in Chile’s administrative framework. Legal experts have noted that the scale of the alleged misdeeds suggests a complex web of financial irregularities requiring thorough judicial scrutiny. Prosecutors have emphasized that the actions attributed to Rojo Maturana not only violated ethical standards but also compromised the integrity of public resources managed by Cicitem. The case is being examined as part of a wider effort to enhance transparency and oversight in public institutions. As the investigation unfolds, further details regarding the extent of financial damage and potential accomplices could emerge, potentially leading to additional legal actions. The preventive detention order signals the seriousness with which authorities are treating the case. It also reflects the procedural steps taken to ensure the accused does not evade justice. With the 90-day investigation period set, the court will determine whether further legal action, including prosecution, is warranted based on the findings. The outcome of this case may influence future policies aimed at preventing similar abuses of public trust.