President Kast says he knows Cerimedo but never hired him; ex-minister Steinert gives up on reconsideration request to Contraloría, and government presents agenda for strengthening child protection
The article highlights several key developments in Chile as of September 30, 2026. President Sebastian Piñera (Kast) stated that he has never employed Cerimedo but claims to know him personally. Ex-minister Trinidad Steinert withdrew her request for reconsideration before the Comptroller's office. The government announced the National Agenda for Strengthening the Integrated Child Protection System. Additionally, a police committee led by the Ministry of Security reported a 17.2% decrease in homicides and a 13.2% reduction in violent robberies. The article also includes historical images of the attack on La Moneda taken by a Hawker Hunter aircraft camera, along with other local news items.
The government of President José Antonio Kast has categorically denied any connection with Argentine consultant Fernando Cerimedo, known as the “King of Trolls,” stating there is “no link whatsoever.” The denial comes amid ongoing investigations into Cerimedo’s alleged involvement in electoral manipulation and his association with high-profile figures in Latin American politics. According to reports from BioBioChile and La Tercera, the claim surfaced after allegations linked Cerimedo to Felipe Costabal, the head of Chile’s Ministry of Communications (Secom). These claims gained traction following statements from opposition figures who sought clarification on whether Cerimedo had any ties to the administration during its early months. The controversy intensified after Cerimedo was accused of using bot farms to influence elections and was recently imprisoned in Bolivia over charges of attempted murder against his ex-partner, Nadia Beller. In response, Máximo Pavez, the Undersecretary of the Interior, explicitly rejected any official connection between the Kast government and Cerimedo. Speaking at a press briefing with 24 Horas, Pavez stated, “The government of Chile does not have any link with the person you mentioned.” He emphasized that all campaign activities under the current administration were approved and conducted transparently, adding, “There is no link we can recognize or explain.” Pavez further clarified that while Cerimedo had previously worked alongside officials within the government, including Costabal, there was no recent or ongoing relationship. “We can confirm that the government has no connection with this individual,” he reiterated, underscoring the administration’s commitment to transparency and accountability. Cerimedo, a well-known political strategist in Argentina, has advised leaders such as Brazil’s former president Dilma Rousseff, Brazil’s current president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, and Argentina’s president Javier Milei. His work has often focused on digital campaigns and social media strategies aimed at influencing public opinion. However, his methods have drawn criticism, particularly regarding the use of automated accounts, known as “bot farms”, to amplify certain messages during election periods. Costabal, who once served as a key figure in the “Rechazo” campaign, a movement opposing constitutional reform in 2020, admitted having contact with Cerimedo more than five years ago. However, he claimed that their interactions ceased afterward, asserting that there was no further collaboration. Despite these denials, some members of the opposition continue to question the extent of Cerimedo’s influence and whether his tactics might have indirectly impacted the Kast administration’s messaging strategy. Meanwhile, Cerimedo’s ex-partner, Nadia Beller, has publicly accused him of orchestrating her attempted murder. She alleges that he used threats and intimidation to force her into silence, which led to his arrest in Bolivia. The case has sparked broader discussions about the role of online harassment and political manipulation in modern democracies. As the situation unfolds, legal proceedings against Cerimedo are ongoing, and authorities are scrutinizing his past associations. While the Kast government maintains it has no direct ties to the controversial figure, the debate continues among political analysts and watchdog groups, who remain cautious about potential indirect influences in the realm of digital campaigning. For now, the focus remains on the legal outcomes of Cerimedo’s cases and the continued efforts of the administration to distance itself from any perceived controversies.
The article reports that Mara Sedini, a Chilean politician, publicly supports José Antonio Kast during the ongoing 'Cerimedo' case. She claims that Kast did not win due to a campaign involving bots, implying that his victory was not solely based on legitimate campaigning. The statement suggests skepticism towards the fairness of the electoral process and potential manipulation through automated campaigns.
Bias read (Progressive): The article frames the situation by suggesting that Kast's victory might have been influenced by bot campaigns rather than genuine support, which aligns with a left-leaning perspective that often questions the integrity of political processes and highlights concerns about digital manipulation in选举.
Why factuality (65): The article reports on Mara Sedini supporting José Antonio Kast in the context of the 'Cerimedo' case, claiming that he did not win due to a bot campaign. While this aligns with broader narratives around the election and allegations of digital manipulation, there is no primary source document to ver
Why objectivity (45): The article uses emotionally charged language such as 'pone las manos al fuego' (puts hands to the fire) which implies strong personal endorsement. It also frames Kast's victory in a way that suggests external interference, potentially biasing the reader toward a particular interpretation of the eve
An ex-partner of Cerimedo has claimed in an interview with BioBioChile that the individual was involved in the campaign of José Antonio Kast, a far-right politician running for president in Chile. The statement suggests potential connections between Cerimedo and Kast’s political efforts, though no direct evidence or further details were provided in the article. The claim raises questions about the influence of personal relationships in political campaigns. The article focuses on allegations rather than confirming any wrongdoing.
Bias read (Progressive): The article frames the involvement of Cerimedo in Kast's campaign through the perspective of an ex-partner, which could imply a narrative favoring scrutiny of Kast's network. While not explicitly partisan, the emphasis on personal connections within a politically charged context leans toward a left-
Why factuality (60): This article presents an ex-partner's claim linking Kast's campaign to Cerimedo, but lacks corroboration from official sources or primary documentation. It introduces new allegations without sufficient evidence, making it less aligned with the cross-source consensus that denies such links.
Why objectivity (55): The article frames the issue in a way that implies potential wrongdoing by the government, using emotionally charged language ('vincula con campaña de Kast') and presenting only one side of the story. It lacks balance and appears to favor a particular narrative.
The article highlights several key developments in Chile as of September 30, 2026. President Sebastian Piñera (Kast) stated that he has never employed Cerimedo but claims to know him personally. Ex-minister Trinidad Steinert withdrew her request for reconsideration before the Comptroller's office. The government announced the National Agenda for Strengthening the Integrated Child Protection System. Additionally, a police committee led by the Ministry of Security reported a 17.2% decrease in homicides and a 13.2% reduction in violent robberies. The article also includes historical images of the attack on La Moneda taken by a Hawker Hunter aircraft camera, along with other local news items.
Bias read (Center): The article presents information from multiple perspectives without overtly favoring any political stance. It reports on statements from President Kast and ex-minister Steinert, as well as government initiatives, without taking sides. While some topics like child protection and crime statistics are議
Why factuality (55): The article reports on several events including President Kast's statement regarding Cerimedo, Exministra Steinert withdrawing her request, and the government's new child protection agenda. It also mentions police statistics and historical images. While these points appear to be based on available p
Why objectivity (60): The article presents information in a straightforward manner without overt bias. However, it includes some emotionally charged language such as 'ataque a La Moneda' (attack on La Moneda) which may imply a particular perspective. The focus on certain topics over others might suggest a slight editoria
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