{"id":14148,"date":"2026-03-31T18:51:59","date_gmt":"2026-03-31T18:51:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/elpregonerodechile.com\/?p=14148"},"modified":"2026-03-31T18:51:59","modified_gmt":"2026-03-31T18:51:59","slug":"kast-advocates-for-presidential-pardons-while-planning-system-reforms-el-ciudadano","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/elpregonerodechile.com\/?p=14148","title":{"rendered":"Kast Advocates for Presidential Pardons While Planning System Reforms El Ciudadano"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Original article: Quiere reformarlo, pero lo usar\u00e1 igual: Kast insiste en conceder indultos y luego cambiar el sistema<\/a><\/p>\n\n

Jos\u00e9 Antonio Kast emphasized that he intends to utilize presidential powers for pardons<\/a> as currently established, before initiating changes to the system.<\/p>\n

During a discussion with the Chilean Radio Broadcasters Association (Archi), the far-right leader outlined his administration\u2019s approach to a contentious issue that has sparked debate since his inauguration. He stated that he would use the existing authority to grant pardons to police officers and military personnel convicted of crimes during the social unrest while simultaneously advocating for a structural change, which he described as replacing the unilateral decision-making of the President with a \u00abcollegial body.\u00bb<\/p>\n

When asked if he considers the pardon mechanism legitimate in light of statements from Supreme Court President Gloria Ana Chevesich and former Justice Minister Hern\u00e1n Larra\u00edn (UDI), both of whom support removing this constitutional power from the President, Kast responded definitively: \u00abYes, I will use it.\u00bb<\/p>\n

\u00abAfterwards, we will generate a bonus in line with what the Supreme Court president and former Minister Larra\u00edn indicated. A kind of commission, I think it is reasonable that this be a collegial body,\u00bb he remarked.<\/p>\n

\u00abWe will make a decision as soon as we can, and after that, we will present a bill to align with what the Supreme Court president and the former justice minister have suggested,\u00bb he added.<\/p>\n

Kast Will Implement Pardons and Then Modify the System<\/span><\/h3>\n

Despite the criticisms and acknowledging the need for changes to this tool, the President reaffirmed his intention to fully utilize it.<\/p>\n

\u00abI believe that the pardon as an institution, despite the fact that I think it should undergo changes in how pardons are granted, must always be a possibility that exists,\u00bb he stated, which contradicts his electoral campaign stance when he claimed he would \u00abnot use this presidential power\u00bb and that \u00abcriminals must serve their sentences.\u00bb<\/p>\n

In response to a question about why he would use it and then make changes, Kast mentioned, \u00abThere are situations that I believe need to be analyzed and reviewed.\u00bb<\/p>\n

\u00abWe are reviewing various real situations that have occurred,\u00bb he emphasized, while arguing that this process does not mean \u00abdiscussing judicial sentences, as the Executive and Judicial powers are independent,\u00bb he said.<\/p>\n

In this context, he noted that the review does not imply questioning the Judiciary\u2019s authority.<\/p>\n

\u00abThe pardon is not about questioning a judicial decision made by a judge. I am not debating the evidence or the judicial ruling. I am saying, look, I have a legal power that allows me to grant pardons in certain cases,\u00bb he maintained.<\/p>\n

After it was pointed out to him that granting a pardon to a convicted individual overrides a judicial ruling, the far-right leader insisted that he was \u00abnot talking about the ruling.\u00bb<\/p>\n

\u00abI am not disputing what a court has stated. I am saying that I have reached the conclusion, after analyzing certain situations, that this person deserves to be pardoned,\u00bb he said.<\/p>\n

Who Will Benefit from the Pardons?<\/span><\/h3>\n

When asked if his administration is reviewing cases involving fourteen Carabineros officials linked to crimes committed during the social upheaval of 2029, and whether the name of former Carabineros captain Patricio Maturana, who was sentenced to 12 years for the Fabiola Campillai case \u2014 whose attorney has already submitted a request \u2014 is among them, Kast chose not to provide specifics.<\/p>\n

The President merely stated that they will \u00abexamine all cases formally requesting pardons as appropriate.\u00bb<\/p>\n

Beyond mentioning timelines for implementing pardons<\/a>, he reiterated that his government plans to conduct a thorough analysis of each case \u00aband once we reach an assessment and make a determination, we will communicate it.\u00bb<\/p>\n

When asked if his reflections include those convicted of human rights violations, the President stated that his government\u2019s focus is \u00abon a critical moment in the last few years in our nation, a social crisis that occurred and resulted in unfortunate consequences for Chileans.\u00bb<\/p>\n

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