|  ElCiudadano.cl |  Noticias

El Ciudadano

Original article: “Y va a caer la educación de Pinochet”: protesta de deudores del CAE apuntó contra embargos y exigió condonación total

Protest Against Student Loan Embargo: CAE Debtors Demand Debt Forgiveness and End to Seizures

Hundreds of CAE debtors took to the streets of Alameda on Thursday night to protest against the seizures being executed by the Chile’s General Treasury under instructions from the Ministry of Finance. With slogans like «Education from Pinochet will fall» and «What the people need is free education,» demonstrators demanded full debt forgiveness and the immediate cessation of forced collections that directly affect workers’ finances.

The mobilization was announced during the second assembly held by the CAE Debtors Movement, aiming to highlight that the seizures by the Treasury are allegedly illegal, as they invoke powers granted by the Tax Code meant for tax debts, whereas the CAE pertains to a civil loan with a bank.

Maximiliano, a member of the CAE Debtors Assembly, served as the spokesperson for their demands during the rally. In remarks gathered by Cooperativa, he explained the movement’s two clear objectives: long-term, total forgiveness of educational debts; and in the short term, halting all seizures and restoring the assets and money taken from affected individuals’ accounts.

The leader sharply criticized the administration of José Antonio Kast, stating that «it seems the Government is legislating out of hatred towards the workers of this country,» urging authorities to reconsider and recognize that professionals and students «are the nation’s engine.»

When asked about potential dialogue with La Moneda, Maximiliano firmly indicated that, at this time, no manifestos or letters are planned to be delivered to the authorities. The movement’s strategy, as he noted, will remain focused on protests and public actions as a means of pressure and highlighting the conflict.

In a similar vein, Michel Tiznado, coordinator of the CAE Debtors Movement, described the government’s crackdown and execution orders as «unjust» and pointed out that this measure «is a direct result of a scrutiny the current government is placing on CAE debtors,» reported Prensa Opal.

NOW | End the seizures for CAE debt: currently, protesters are gathered at Plaza Los Heroes/Alameda, demanding the return of seized wages and total debt forgiveness. pic.twitter.com/68qIZYZxzv

— PIENSAPRENSA 362k Followers (@PiensaPrensa) June 26, 2026

The presence of Carabineros aimed to disperse the protest, with threats of using water cannons. Despite the tense atmosphere, debtors remained steadfast in their demands.

Treasury Seizes CAE Accounts Without Confirming Source of Funds

Under instructions from the Ministry of Finance and without a court order, the Treasury has drained bank accounts of hundreds of student loan debtors immediately after they received their salaries, causing financial difficulties for many families. However, as acknowledged by the Treasurer General of the Republic, Hernán Nobizelli, to the Finance Committee of the Chamber of Deputies on June 17, these seizures have been carried out through a “blind mandate”, without first identifying the source of the funds.

The Movement warns that this strategy of seizures primarily aims to deter and seeks to impose agreements through intimidation, particularly targeting those with lower incomes, below $1.5 million. Given this scenario, they demand a solution to end a financing system for education that is «unjust» and defends the interests of the banking sector.

La entrada Protest Against Student Loan Embargo: CAE Debtors Demand Debt Forgiveness and End to Seizures se publicó primero en El Ciudadano.