According to BioBioChile, President José Antonio Kast's government suspended the processing of new sentence reduction decrees. It also announced a reform to restrict these benefits. The move follows controversy over reductions granted by the Ministry of Justice to 56 people convicted of sexual offenses against minors.
According to the outlet, the reform has three main aims. It seeks to restrict reductions, clarify how they apply to sentences imposed before 2022 and ensure that victims are heard. The executive branch will also promote specialized courts to rule on these benefits.
The announcement has no effect on decisions already made. The 56 reductions granted remain in force and have not been reversed, according to BioBioChile. The outlet does not report whether the government is considering any avenue to review them.
There is relevant background to 2022. That year, a reform promoted by Hernán Larraín, former President Sebastián Piñera's justice minister, took effect to limit these benefits. Larraín maintained that recent rulings allow applications to be rejected.
Justice Minister Fernando Rabat defended the decrees. He argued that he had acted in accordance with current legislation and Supreme Court criteria. Government spokesperson Gonzalo Arenas acknowledged that the procedure could have been carried out differently, while reaffirming the president's confidence in the minister.
The case touched on a central cause of the governing coalition, the protection of children and families, promoted through the Chile Renace Plan. Internal criticism continues. Political analyst Cristóbal Bellolio warned that Kast's support for Rabat keeps the crisis open because no one has taken political responsibility.
The president of the UDI (Independent Democratic Union), Deputy Guillermo Ramírez, warned that internal disputes harm the government. He made the remarks after describing statements against Larraín by Senator Arturo Squella, president of the Republican Party, as defamatory.
Next Monday, Rabat will meet with representatives of the governing coalition to try to contain internal discontent. The announced reform has yet to take shape as a bill and begin the legislative process.
