Controversy Over Housing Demolitions in Viña del Mar: Legal Action Against Minister Poduje for Abuse of Power and Fraud

The Minister of Housing under President Kast, Iván Poduje, finds himself at the center of controversy once again, following the announcement of legal action against him for abuse of power, forgery, and tax fraud related to a contentious demolition order affecting homes in El Olivar, a sector devastated by the mega-fire of 2024 in Viña del Mar.

This information was reported by Radio Biobío, which first highlighted the Ministry of Housing’s (Minvu) resolution that mandated the halt and demolition of reconstruction work in the area. The official reasoning stated that construction inspectors had issued technical reports indicating «serious construction deficiencies.»

However, according to Radio Biobío’s investigative unit, the technical documents in question—accessed by the unit—make no mention of these so-called «serious construction deficiencies». It was further noted that the reports were allegedly signed under pressure and only after the resolution was issued.

«These details form the basis of the criminal lawsuit declared against Minister Iván Poduje for abuse of power, forgery, and tax fraud,» the Biobío report states, detailing that the legal action will be filed by Social Arquitectura, the sponsoring entity that has acted as an intermediary between the property owners and the San Sebastián construction company.

Read the full report HERE