The most important Chilean news of the day, in summary.
Chile's pension system, public budget and economic outlook shaped the day. Labor Minister Tomás Rau urged retirees to delay retirement after losses in the AFP Fondo E, and the United Nations economic commission cut its 2026 growth forecast for Chile. Budget 2027 drew objections over science and school funding. Other stories covered a universal daycare bill, Comptroller reports, reduced sentences at Punta Peuco and the recovery of a third mountaineer's body.
Marco Enríquez-Ominami, a five-time presidential candidate, told The Clinic that President José Antonio Kast would win again if a vote were held now. He attributed the left's difficulties to its own political and communication errors and ruled out a sixth run for La Moneda.
The Comisión Económica para América Latina y el Caribe (CEPAL), the United Nations body based in Santiago, cut its 2026 projection for Chile to 0.2%. In April it expected 2.2%, and in August it lowered the figure to 1.6%. It projects a rebound to 2.2% in 2027, according to CNN Chile.
Labor Minister Tomás Rau asked older adults to postpone retirement by a few months if they can, after the fall of Fondo E caused by a failed bet by the AFP (pension fund managers). He said the Government awaits an investigation to learn whether there will be sanctions or restitution.
The labor committee of the Cámara de Diputados approved the idea of legislating the universal sala cuna (daycare) bill with 13 votes in favor, according to Diario Financiero. Minister Tomás Rau said the Executive will submit amendments late this week. Financing remains the most sensitive point.
An unnamed former senior AFP executive told El Mostrador that greed won out over responsibility in the Fondo E crisis. He said he was "stunned" that risk committees and boards did not grasp what they were doing. The managers face investigations and complaints after paper losses of US$7,700 million.
The Consejo del Banco Central de Chile named Carla Lagos Ioohs as manager of the Corporate Risk Division, according to Diario Financiero. She comes from Tanner Banco Digital, where she was comptroller and head of internal audit. No other source has confirmed the appointment.
Sergio Lavandero, president of the Academia de Ciencias de Chile, said the 2027 budget would cut science by 10%, a magnitude never seen before. He said public science investment would fall from 0.41% to 0.31% of gross domestic product, according to El Mostrador.
A joint budget subcommittee of Congress rejected the Ministerio de Educación funds for the Servicios Locales de Educación Pública (SLEP), the state school bodies. The proposal funded only six of 11 services due to receive schools on January 1, 2027, leaving 27 communes without a transfer date, La Tercera reported.
The Contraloría General de la República (CGR), the state audit body, found the Hospital Modular de Campaña N°2 Barros Luco Trudeau has been stored in a San Miguel warehouse since October 2021. It estimated a loss of value above $859 million across 565 items and requested an inquiry.
The Ministerio de Justicia y Derechos Humanos signed two decrees cutting the sentences of inmates at the Punta Peuco prison, one convicted of aggravated kidnapping and the other of torture. They add to 56 reductions for sexual crimes. BioBioChile reported the figures.
Navy divers found the body of the third mountaineer killed in the October 17 avalanche in the Laguna del Inca, beside the Portillo ski resort. Presidential delegate Manuel Millones confirmed it. The avalanche hit a group of seven climbers, and the body will go to the Servicio Médico Legal in San Felipe.
The Contraloría Regional de Antofagasta found deficiencies in medication control at the Antay child protection residence, run by Fundación Creeser. Findings include a child hospitalized for an overdose, 21 children in 15 places and a shortage of caregivers, CNN Chile reported.
