The head of the Public Ministry of Bíobío, Marcela Cartagenawho was the host of the most recent council of regional prosecutors, held a few days ago in Concepción, spoke at the end of the meeting to call for unity.
That was the first time, in three years, that they had come face to face again. Jorge Abbott and the regional prosecutor of O’Higgins, Emiliano Arias, after both of them starred in one of the most relevant crises within the institution, which even led the national prosecutor to ask the Supreme Court for a frustrated removal of the investigator from the SQM and Caval case. For this reason, not a few thought that Cartagena’s words went in that direction, however, his intervention was rather an invitation to fair play, to fair play, for the coming months. And it is that on October 1 Abbott, along with turning 75, must leave the chair of national prosecutor, since he reaches the age limit to hold office. He will do so, in fact, one year before completing the eight-year period established by law.
So, according to some of those present, the intention of the regional chief of Biobío was to make a call for cohesion and confessed: “I am not going to apply to be a national prosecutor.” Then they all looked at each other and fell silent. No one else explained her position, since naturally the members of that council could be natural successors. In fact, some have already been “campaigning” for months, since to succeed Abbott, votes are needed in the Supreme Court, which makes up a fifth, then the consent of the current government, since it will be President Gabriel Boric who proposes one of those names. to the Senate, and -finally- a political negotiation that allows 2/3 of the members of the Upper House to approve the candidate for La Moneda.
Unlike 2015, when the current national prosecutor was elected in a process that was marked by investigations into irregular financing of politics, this time there is another factor: the new role assigned to this authority by the text of the Constitutional Convention. If approved, this position will last six years and not eight -without the possibility of re-election- and he will lose power, since a Public Ministry Committee is created that affects the appointment of prosecutors and the policy of criminal prosecution.
All in all, and despite the uncertainty of what happens in the exit plebiscite, there are several lawyers interested in leading the organization and occupying the position that has a monthly remuneration of $9,349,854.
These days, the Supreme Court should make the call for competition for those who are interested to submit their records. This, since the law states that the process must be initiated 90 days before the authority expires in office. With a race unleashed, there are already several that sound like fixed cards, at least, to be in the quinine prepared by the highest court and not a few venture to ensure that this election smells like a woman and that the first prosecutor could be appointed nation in history.
In the upper echelons of the Judiciary, for several months the name of Charles Palma, the regional prosecutor of Aysén, who is investigating the Huracán case, in which police officers are accused of setting up false evidence against Mapuches. Some of the highest officials consulted have commented that they view this candidacy with good eyes and although the public hearings in which each of the candidates presents before the plenary have not yet been held, several say that if they present themselves they will have their vote.
consulted by ThirdProsecutor Palma confirmed that he will apply: “I have made a civil servant career with all the links, from deputy prosecutor to regional prosecutor, and I believe that what the Public Ministry lacks is that, experience. What is needed today is leadership in criminal prosecution, one that is well oriented, efficient and that allows solving the problems of the community”.
Among the deputy prosecutors there are high expectations that the lawyer Martha Herrera, who is the current director of the Specialized Anticorruption and Legal Unit. The researchers point to her career and that, in her capacity as spokesperson for the Public Ministry, in the midst of institutional crises she has shown leadership that is necessary after the “Abbott era.” Despite the fact that several of her install her as one of her applicants, she in her circles of trust has not made explicit her interest in participating in the process.
A similar situation occurs with the South metropolitan regional prosecutor, Hector Barros, who is highlighted -by his peers- for his operational capabilities and for being one of those with the most investigative experience. Given the increase in organized crime in the country and the successes of criminal prosecution in the area he directs, some comment, it would be a good name to be chosen for the fourth national prosecutor since the institution was created.
In the corridors of courts there is also a lot of talk about the defender of children, Patricia Muñoz, who in the past was a prosecutor and held senior management positions in the Public Ministry. She stands out, in some circles, as La Moneda’s favorite because of her close relationship with the President and the Minister of the Interior, Izkia Siches. However, those close to her assure her that she is an authority that at the time of exercising her position has shown independence and they remember the recent criticism that she has launched for the mishandling of the government on some issues.
One of the oldest deputy prosecutors, who joined the Public Ministry in 2000, is Jose Morales. The head of the Santiago Norte Prosecutor’s Office was already in this process. Last time he got the same seven votes as Abbott on the Supreme Court, so those close to him highlight his experience in these matters. He has not wanted to confirm a new adventure to the national prosecutor’s chair, despite the fact that his name is repeated in the judicial arena.
A “natural” candidate, they say in the Public Ministry, would be the North Central regional prosecutor Xavier Armendáriz. He comes from the judicial world, before leading the Eastern zone he was a rapporteur of the Supreme Court and, in addition, he gathers internal and external support, since he spent some years away dedicated to the academy.
Another who is seeking support is the regional prosecutor of Los Ríos, Juan Agustin Melendez. He was the representative of the council before the Constitutional Convention and his role – they say close – would have given him the necessary impetus to decide to enter the fight. Who has also privately expressed her interest is the regional prosecutor of Ñuble, Nayalet Mansilla, who is currently investigating the so-called Led case, in which corruption crimes are being prosecuted. To them is added Eugene Camposregional prosecutor of Magallanes, who is currently leading the trial against ex-carabineros for institutional mega-fraud.
The regional prosecutor of Antofagasta, Alberto Ayalaand the regional prosecutor of Valparaíso, Claudia Perivancich, have declined to open their letters. Inside the organization they assure that they could apply, however their close ones have stated that it is in bad taste to activate this race when Abbott is still in office.
The one who would be seriously thinking of appearing is the regional prosecutor of O’Higgins, Emiliano Ariaswho claims to be – due to his public quarrel with his boss – “everything the opposite of the current administration.”
Those who are blunt in assuring their teams that it is not in their plans to participate in the process are the regional chiefs of La Araucanía, Robert Garrido; East, Lorraine Parraand Arica, mario career. They are also those who have been authorities in their areas for a year.
One of the main challenges for whoever is the next national prosecutor, experts say, will be to re-legitimize the Public Ministry, which -according to the latest CEP survey- has only 15% confidence, below the police and the Church.