Deputy Cristián Araya of the Republican Party said José Antonio Kast’s government “firmly” supports the police and the Armed Forces, unlike Sebastián Piñera during the unrest of October 2019. He made the remarks in an interview with La Tercera, seven years after the protests.
For Araya, the political system failed during that crisis. He argues that both Piñera’s government and Congress succumbed “in the face of violence” and were willing to offer up the Constitution out of fear.
The lawmaker defended his party’s role during those months. According to him, it was the only party that supported the police and the military “when everyone turned their backs on them.” He also rejected the idea that opposing Piñera had been a mistake.
Despite those criticisms, Araya acknowledged aspects of the former president’s record, such as reconstruction after the 2010 earthquake and his handling of the pandemic. In addition, according to La Tercera, he proposed three former ministers from that administration as possible spokeswomen: Marcela Cubillos, Karla Rubilar and Cecilia Pérez.
Regarding the left, the deputy sees only a “tactical retreat” by the Broad Front and the Communist Party. He added that part of the Socialist Party had joined in what he calls rhetoric of hatred and radicalization.
Asked about renewed protests under the current government, Araya dismissed the risk of another wave of unrest. His argument is that Kast “does not let violence intimidate him or dictate his agenda.”
The interview comes at a difficult time for La Moneda. The government has an approval rating below 30%, according to the newspaper. Araya responded that polls are a snapshot of the moment and defended the rise in gasoline prices as a necessary decision to avoid putting the country further into debt.
The deputy called for renewed focus on the security agenda and cited Operation Cancerbero as an example. He also called for a tougher message against crime and terrorism, along with measures to free up the economy.
His remarks have already caused friction within the governing coalition. The president of National Renewal (RN), Andrea Balladares, accused him of attacking Piñera for political gain and warned that internal disputes complicate matters for the government.
The most concrete point in the interview is his request to pardon police officers and military personnel convicted over events during the unrest. Republicans and libertarians agree on that demand. “We hope the decision will be made as soon as possible,” Araya said. The executive branch has yet to grant those pardons.
