CHILE · POLITICS
Key Facts
- Power Index Chile ranks 3rd of 14 in The Rio Times Latin America Power Index, with 63.6 points (October 2026 edition).
- What is happening Socialist deputy Raúl Leiva said on 1 November that opposition lawmakers should pursue a constitutional accusation, Chile’s impeachment procedure, against Justice Minister Fernando Rabat even if he resigns.
- Why it matters The row has put conservative President José Antonio Kast, who took office in March, under pressure, and he has kept Rabat in his cabinet.
- The numbers The dispute covers 56 sentence-reduction decrees, mostly for people convicted of sexual crimes against minors; the Senate needs 26 of its 50 members to remove a minister.
- Who is who Rabat is Kast’s justice minister; Leiva is a Socialist Party deputy in the opposition; Gonzalo Arenas is the government spokesman.
- What to watch Whether the opposition files the accusation in early November, how many governing-bloc deputies back it, and whether Rabat leaves office first.
- What it means for you The row has no direct effect on US travel or trade, but it tests whether Kast can hold his cabinet and coalition together in Congress.
A Socialist deputy says Chile’s opposition will push to impeach Justice Minister Fernando Rabat even if he resigns first. The move follows decrees that cut prison terms for people convicted of sexual crimes against minors.
Chilean Socialist deputy Raúl Leiva says the push to impeach Justice Minister Fernando Rabat should go on even if Rabat resigns. He made the case on Sunday, 1 November, in a television interview.
The row matters beyond Chile because it tests the cabinet of conservative President José Antonio Kast. Chile is the world’s largest copper producer, so cabinet stability is watched by US investors.
IN PLAIN ENGLISH
- Constitutional accusation is Chile’s impeachment procedure. The lower house votes first, and the Senate then decides whether to remove the official.
- Rabat is Fernando Rabat, Kast’s justice minister. His ministry signs the decrees that formalise sentence reductions.
- Leiva is Raúl Leiva, a Socialist Party deputy in the opposition, in the lower house.
- Sentence reduction is a cut in prison time for inmates with good conduct. A commission rates conduct, and the Justice Ministry signs a decree.
What Leiva Said
Leiva said the opposition caucuses decided unanimously to advance the accusation. Asked whether it should continue if Rabat leaves, he first said the caucuses would discuss it.
He then said it is worth pursuing because the violation sets a “precedente nefasto”, a terrible precedent. He called the early release of people convicted of sexual crimes against children under 14 “brutal”.
Leiva said the Justice Ministry has not handed over all the documents on the decrees. He said a special session of the Chamber of Deputies on Wednesday, 28 October, did not answer questions about protection for victims.
The Sentence Reduction Dispute
The dispute concerns 56 sentence-reduction decrees, most of them for people convicted of sexual crimes against minors. Opposition lawmakers say the decrees broke the law, and Leiva says it is unknown whether more exist.
Rabat told the special session that his ministry only formalises decisions of an evaluation commission and that he followed the law. He acknowledged that victims were not heard and said the procedure would be corrected.
Kast has kept Rabat in office. Government spokesman Gonzalo Arenas said on 29 October that this is not a decision set in stone.
Undersecretary Luis Silva left his post on Friday, 30 October. Lawyer Josefina Soto replaced him.
How the Impeachment Process Works
Chile’s Constitution lets lawmakers file an accusation against a minister in office or within three months after leaving. That is why the opposition can keep the process alive after a resignation.
The Chamber of Deputies votes first, and a majority of deputies present decides whether the accusation goes forward. The Senate then acts as a jury, and 26 of its 50 members must vote to remove a minister.
The opposition needs votes beyond its own benches, so governing-bloc deputies matter. Hotuiti Teao, an independent close to the conservative UDI party, said on 27 October he would vote in favour.
Public Opinion Is Against Rabat
Cadem, a Chilean polling firm, published a poll on 1 November. It finds 70% disagree with Kast’s decision to keep Rabat in office.
The same poll finds 78% disapprove of how Rabat has handled his job. It puts Kast’s own approval at 26%, down three points.
What It Means for US Readers
The dispute has no direct effect on US travel, trade or tariffs. It tests whether Kast, a conservative, can keep his cabinet and coalition together in Congress.
US holders of Chilean ADRs, New York-listed shares of Chilean firms, should watch for cabinet changes and delays to bills. No change in economic policy has been announced.
Related Rio Times reports include Chile Justice Undersecretary Exit Explained and Chile Replaces Deputy Justice Minister Silva. More is on the Chile hub, the sentence reduction explainer, the Santiago city page and the Latin America Power Map.
What Is Not Known
The Chamber of Deputies website could not be opened, so it is not confirmed whether the accusation has been filed. Opposition lawmakers have pointed to early November, and no filing date or signature count was found.
It is unknown how many governing-bloc deputies would vote in favour, or whether Rabat will resign first. The figure of 56 decrees comes from public statements, and the number of people covered was not confirmed.
Claims that the decrees broke the law are the opposition’s, and no ruling on the decrees was found. Rabat says he followed the law.
What Comes Next
If the opposition files the accusation, the Chamber of Deputies must vote before the Senate acts. A resignation by Rabat would not by itself end the three-month window to file.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a constitutional accusation in Chile?
It is Chile’s impeachment procedure for senior officials. The lower house votes first, and the Senate decides whether to remove a minister.
Can the opposition impeach Rabat if he resigns?
Yes, within three months after he leaves office, under the Constitution. Leiva says the opposition should still pursue it to avoid a bad precedent.
What are the sentence reductions?
They are cuts in prison time for good conduct, formalised by decrees of the Justice Ministry. The dispute concerns 56 decrees, most of them for people convicted of sexual crimes against minors.
Will Rabat be removed?
That is not decided. The Chamber and then the Senate must both vote, and the Senate needs 26 of its 50 members.
Sources: Constitution of Chile, articles 52 and 53 (accusations against ministers, quorums); Chamber of Deputies of Chile; Biography of Raúl Leiva, Library of the National Congress of Chile; Cadem, Plaza Pública study of 1 November 2026 (all accessed 2 November 2026).
This article was produced by The Rio Times’ automated newsroom system. How we use AI · Report an error · Editorial responsibility: Matthias Camenzind, Editor-in-Chief