Child protection services face scrutiny in Chile and Argentina

In Chile, the regional director of the Specialized Service for the Protection of Children and Adolescents (Mejor Niñez) in La Araucanía, Jaime Millar Cisternas, is under investigation. He was formally reported to the Comptroller General of the Republic after allegedly acting as a private lawyer in a family court hearing shortly after assuming his public office. The executive branch is currently reviewing the case to determine if there was a breach of administrative probity or a conflict of interest regarding his exclusive public service duties.

In Argentina, Minister of the Community Gloria Giménez addressed allegations of mistreatment within socio-educational residences in Formosa. Giménez defended the work of the Directorate of Children and Adolescents, stating that interventions follow established procedures and are subject to continuous supervision by judicial authorities, including Juvenile Courts and Family Courts. She noted that recent inspections by legal advisors have been conducted to verify the conditions of care for minors in these facilities.