Steinert en pause: Kast attendra le résultat de la commission d'enquête pour dégager une nouvelle nomination à l'étranger

The government of President José Antonio Kast has delayed the potential appointment of former Interior Minister Trinidad Steinert to an overseas diplomatic role pending the outcome of an investigative commission within the Chamber of Deputies. This pause comes after the Contraloría, Chile’s audit agency, ruled against a request for information Steinert had made to the National Police during her tenure in the cabinet. That decision triggered controversy and led to the removal of Regional Prefect Consuelo Peña from the police force, prompting a group of deputies to establish a special committee to review Steinert’s conduct. The investigative commission, created in late July, has not yet officially formed its members, though there is anticipation of agreement among committees by Wednesday. It will have a 60-day timeframe to complete its work. As of now, discussions regarding Steinert’s future remain on hold, with officials at La Moneda expressing a preference for waiting until the process concludes before making any definitive decisions. Although there is no indication that the government intends to reject her nomination outright, the cautious approach reflects an awareness of the ongoing scrutiny surrounding her past actions. The possibility of assigning Steinert an overseas position was first revealed by La Tercera in early July. At that time, multiple sources indicated that the executive branch sought to compensate her for leaving the cabinet following a brief tenure of 69 days. Her departure came after she resigned from the Ministry of Security, marking a notable shift in her career trajectory. During earlier conversations with Kast, Steinert had expressed concerns about abandoning nearly two decades of service in the Public Prosecutor's Office, which still left her with six years of active duty ahead. Kast reportedly reassured her that his support would remain intact should their expectations for her role in the administration not materialize as planned. Since stepping down from the cabinet, Steinert has maintained contact with Arturo Squella, president of the Republican Party and one of the key figures who helped bring her into the administration. These connections suggest a continued influence and interest in her professional path. In May, amid a reshuffling of ministers, Steinert and another official, Sedini, left the cabinet. From that point onward, officials at La Moneda began exploring options for placing Steinert in a foreign post linked to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Initially, they considered a regional position in South America, but this option did not gain traction. Instead, the focus shifted toward a posting at the Chilean embassy in Peru, a location Steinert viewed favorably due to its proximity to Chile and her growing consideration of relocation. However, within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, there were reservations. Concerns arose regarding Steinert’s history of leading investigations against transnational criminal organizations, raising questions about the most appropriate assignment from a security standpoint. Other alternatives included Miami, though this option failed to resonate with Steinert due to the distance from Chile. Following the publication of the story, Chilean Foreign Minister Francisco Pérez Mackenna confirmed publicly that the possibility of appointing Steinert abroad was under evaluation. In an interview with Canal 13, he stated that the matter was being studied, though no specific action had been taken yet.