Acusación Constitucional contra ministro Ávila toma fuerza en la Cámara: se sumaron UDI y Republicanos

The possibility of impeachment against Chile’s Minister of the Interior, Rodrigo Ávila, has gained momentum in the country’s Chamber of Deputies as two political parties, the UDI and Republicans, have joined the initiative. The accusation against Ávila stems from his alleged role in the police operation that resulted in the death of a Mapuche activist, Camilo Catrillanca, in 2018. The proposal is expected to be reviewed by the House’s constitutional committee on September 29th. If approved, the accusation will then require the support of two-thirds of the Chamber and the Senate to proceed. Ávila has denied any wrongdoing, and President Sebastián Piñera has expressed support for his Minister. However, the accusation marks another episode in Chile’s ongoing unrest, which began with protests over public transport prices and has since expanded to demand sweeping political and social reforms. Impeaching a Minister in Chile is a rare occurrence, so the accusation against Ávila is a significant development. The case highlights the country’s commitment to holding public officials accountable and the challenges it faces in addressing historical grievances.