El Ciudadano
Original article: «Es una sentencia que reconoce la mala fe en sus dichos»: Corte acoge recurso contra «Chilote Manolo» por mentiras contra dirigentes de Aysén
Coyhaique: Appeals Court Decision Halts Spread of False Accusations Against Environmental and Social Leaders in Aysén
The Appeals Court of Coyhaique has upheld a protection appeal filed by attorney Karina Riquelme on behalf of artisanal fisherman Daniel Caniullán Huentel, independent communicator Nelson Millatureo Raín, fisherman Paolo Matissine Cabero, and environmental defender Peter Hartmann. The court determined that publications shared by Manuel Anabalón Jeldres (also known as Chilote Manolo) on social media violated the constitutional right to honor of the appellants.
This legal action arose after videos circulated on Facebook and TikTok, falsely accusing the leaders and defenders of having received 500 million pesos from Norway to sabotage salmon production in Chile. According to the ruling, the posts additionally labeled them as «pachamámicos,» «little angels,» and individuals manipulating «lies and deception» for profit from environmental causes.
In its analysis, the court found that these expressions exceeded the bounds of freedom of opinion and constituted specific accusations that could damage the public reputation of those affected. The ruling maintained that there was no evidence supporting the personal attribution of these financial resources to the appellants and that the disseminated claims lacked sufficient basis, harming their credibility and reputation within the communities where they engage in environmental defense and public participation.
Furthermore, the court rejected the notion that the later deletion of the posts nullified the appeal, considering that the content had already achieved widespread circulation on social media and continues to produce effects. The ruling emphasized that the mass dissemination and persistence of such content amplify the damage to the honor of those affected.
Consequently, the court ordered the removal of the disputed publication from Facebook and any other platform where it may have been replicated. Additionally, it mandated that the respondent refrain from making further posts or messages of a similar nature, a measure taken to restore the rule of law and provide effective protection to those harmed.
Following the decision, human rights attorney Karina Riquelme praised the court’s resolution, stating: “This ruling acknowledges the bad faith of Manuel Anabalon Jeldres in his statements about important Patagonia defenders that unfortunately have permanent effects, as he has already spread lies that many people believed to be true in the territory. This seeks to delegitimize the discourse of environmental defenders, leaders, and those proposing significant discussions around public policies aimed at protecting the sea. This sentence aims to halt such acts through institutional means; the judiciary not only orders removal but also abstains from making new posts of that kind. This sets a significant precedent, and we will be vigilant to ensure its compliance for it to be effective.”
It is worth noting that Manuel Anabalón ran for the Senate representing the Christian Social Party in the November 2025 elections, receiving 3,714 votes, or 5.73% of the total votes, thus failing to get elected.
Access the full court ruling at the following link, PDF format
COURT RULING ACCEPTED BY AYSÉN APPEALS COURT
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