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Original article: Steinert podría caer parada en el extranjero: Daza acusa “premio de consuelo con cargo a recursos fiscales”

Controversy Surrounds Trinidad Steinert’s Potential Diplomatic Appointment Abroad as Daza Calls It a ‘Consolation Prize Funded by Public Resources’

Lawyer Mauricio Daza characterized the government’s consideration of former Security Minister Trinidad Steinert for a position abroad as a «consolation prize funded by public resources».

Foreign Minister Francisco Pérez Mackenna confirmed that discussions are underway at La Moneda regarding the potential diplomatic appointment for the former Secretary of State, despite a ruling from the Comptroller General’s Office stating that Steinert acted beyond her legal authority by requesting confidential information from the PDI regarding an investigation in which she had previously participated as a prosecutor in Tarapacá.

The ruling N° D344/2026, issued on July 1 by Comptroller General Dorothy Pérez, indicated that in demanding a detailed list of officials—including names, ID numbers, ranks, and disciplinary records of a unit linked to the investigations of the so-called “Clan Chen”—Steinert exceeded her legal powers and violated the principle of legality.

Daza argued that Steinert was «fired from a ministry for which she was unfit and which she managed committing serious illegalities,» thus warranting a constitutional accusation against her.

«Consolation Prize Funded by Public Resources»

Against this backdrop, Daza stated in a message shared on his social media account that the former Secretary of State «is entitled to nothing», as she «left a regional prosecutor’s office she did not deserve and was dismissed from a ministry for which she was unqualified and where she engaged in serious illegalities.»

According to the lawyer, the attempt to grant a «consolation prize funded by public resources makes a constitutional accusation against her even more necessary.»

In fact, opposition lawmakers have suggested the possibility of filing a complaint against the former Minister of Public Security following the Comptroller’s ruling.

Currently, they have announced the establishment of a Special Investigative Commission (CEI) in the Chamber of Deputies, which will seek to establish political and administrative responsibilities arising from this episode, clarify the role of other Executive authorities, and determine if there were violations that warrant further oversight actions.

They warned that the option of a constitutional complaint remains on the table and will depend on the findings during the investigation. “What the President knew, what the Second Floor knew, and what the Interior Minister did” has become the key question guiding the committee’s work.

Steinert Could Land a Position Abroad in a Diplomatic Role

Amidst the scandal, the pressing question in the political arena is whether President Kast was aware of this situation and if he had even received a preliminary report regarding it from his administration.

The situation worsens, as outlets like El Mostrador indicate that Steinert’s appointment in the cabinet was a direct bet by the President, who orchestrated her transition from the Public Ministry to lead the Security portfolio.

This circumstance also explains the apparent interest at La Moneda in ensuring her continuity within Kast’s administration, considering that the former prosecutor left behind more than twenty years of experience in prosecution to take on this challenge in the Executive.

According to the cited outlet, various options have been considered for relocating her to a position abroad. Sources within the Executive mentioned that one of the evaluated options included a diplomatic attaché position in Peru, although the Foreign Ministry reportedly expressed concerns based on security grounds for that destination.

Faced with this hurdle, Chancellor Francisco Pérez Mackenna has suggested other destinations, such as Miami, though the former official reportedly declined this option. Regardless of the rejection, the search for a diplomatic position continues, and currently, the possibility of an attaché position in another country—while keeping Peru in the running—remains on the table.

In an interview with Mesa Central on Channel 13, Pérez Mackenna confirmed that the option being analyzed corresponds to appointing her as a diplomatic attaché in an embassy.

“It’s a type of appointment,” he reiterated.

He stated that he maintains a good relationship with Steinert and that this matter has not yet been directly discussed with Kast.

“I have the best relationship with her; we worked together for a time; it’s an issue that is being studied, but nothing concrete has been established yet. We do not yet have a decision on this matter,”

he added, while stating that “the pace of international politics is slower than one might imagine.”

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