{"id":14360,"date":"2026-04-05T18:03:06","date_gmt":"2026-04-05T18:03:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/elpregonerodechile.com\/?p=14360"},"modified":"2026-04-05T18:03:06","modified_gmt":"2026-04-05T18:03:06","slug":"unraveling-the-controversial-history-of-finance-minister-jorge-quiroz-el-ciudadano","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/elpregonerodechile.com\/?p=14360","title":{"rendered":"Unraveling the Controversial History of Finance Minister Jorge Quiroz El Ciudadano"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Original article: Caso colusiones, farmacias, asfalto y navieras: el historial del ministro de Hacienda detr\u00e1s del \u2018bencinazo\u2019 de Kast<\/a><\/p>\n\n

Jorge Quiroz\u2019s Controversial History: From Defending Colluding Companies to the \u00abGasoline Price Surge\u00bb Crisis<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
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The \u00abGasoline Price Surge\u00bb Hits Chilean Families Hard<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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Chile is grappling with an economic and social crisis triggered by the \u00abGasoline Price Surge\u00bb\u2014commonly referred to as Kast\u2019s Gasoline Crisis\u2014which took effect on March 26, 2026. The government, led by Jos\u00e9 Antonio Kast, opted not to implement the Fuel Price Stabilization Mechanism (Mepco), resulting in an unprecedented price hike: gasoline prices soared by 14.2% in just two weeks, while diesel prices skyrocketed by 29.6%, according to GlobalPetrolPrices as reported by NuevoPoder.CL.<\/p>\n

The impact on struggling families is devastating. FRANCE 24 reported that diesel prices have increased by as much as 60% in some communities. Meanwhile, a Cadem survey revealed that 60% of Chileans consider the measure \u00abavoidable.\u00bb Kast\u2019s disapproval ratings have exceeded 55%, showing a significant drop in public approval just weeks after taking office.<\/p>\n

Uncovering Jorge Quiroz\u2019s History: 15 Records Exposed by CIPER<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

As families contend with the ramifications of the gasoline price surge, the name of Finance Minister Jorge Quiroz emerges as being linked to some of the largest collusion scandals in the past decade. According to a report by Ciper Chile<\/strong> published on February 10, 2026 (authored by Benjam\u00edn Miranda and Diego Ortiz), Quiroz had an extensive background well before he assumed office in Kast\u2019s government.<\/p>\n

The publication reviewed four cases from the Competition Defense Tribunal (TDLC)\u2014involving poultry, pharmacies, asphalt, and shipping companies\u2014and found 15 documented records<\/strong> showing his active role in defending companies ultimately found guilty of collusion. \u00abIn three out of the four cases analyzed, his position directly contradicted the findings later established by the TDLC and the Supreme Court,\u00bb stated Ciper.<\/p>\n

Defending Colluding Companies: The Quiroz Model that Undermined Justice<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

The most severe case highlighted by Ciper involves poultry<\/strong>, where Quiroz developed a sales projection model in 2008 for the Poultry Producers Association (APA), which was used by companies like Agrosuper, Arizt\u00eda, and Don Pollo to control the market. This industry model became known as the \u00abQuiroz Model.\u00bb In the pharmacy<\/strong> case, Quiroz served as a witness for Salcobrand in 2009, asserting before the TDLC that a review of 45,000 emails did not reveal any pricing agreement, despite the tribunal uncovering emails from December 2007 where Salcobrand\u2019s commercial manager instructed to coordinate price increases.<\/p>\n

In the asphalt<\/strong> case, Quiroz contradicted the National Economic Prosecutor\u2019s Office (FNE), claiming that there was no \u00abcollusive agreement,\u00bb a position that was opposed to the final ruling. Only in the case involving shipping<\/strong> companies was he able to reduce a fine from $12 million to $2.5 million.<\/p>\n

This April 5, 2026, Piensa Prensa<\/strong> recalled these details on their X account, stating: \u00abWho is the Finance Minister? CIPER reviewed materials in the collusion cases involving poultry, pharmacies, asphalt, and shipping companies. 15 records show Jorge Quiroz\u2019s role in supporting these companies.\u00bb<\/p>\n

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\u00bfQui\u00e9n es el ministerio de Hacienda?
CIPER revis\u00f3 contenidos en los expedientes de las investigaciones por colusi\u00f3n de pollos, farmacias, asfalto y navieras. 15 registros muestran el rol de Jorge Quiroz, hoy ministro de Hacienda, donde apoy\u00f3 a las empresas. pic.twitter.com\/0eMvxnIJ3q<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 PIENSAPRENSA 361 mil Seguidores (@PiensaPrensa) April 5, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

It is important to note that in response to Ciper\u2019s report, Quiroz generically stated: \u00abI have never been involved in or facilitated or designed any collusion or cartel scheme.\u00bb<\/p>\n

However, the report indicates that the judiciary rejected his claims in three out of four cases.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n