Chile deputy Urruticoechea sparks controversy over abortion debate in Congress

Deputy Cristóbal Urruticoechea of the right‑wing Partido Nacional Libertario (PNL) intervened in a congressional discussion on Chile's abortion law. He promoted the “Escucha Su Corazón” initiative, which would require a pregnant woman to listen to the fetal heartbeat before an abortion is performed. Urruticoechea also criticised a recent technical regulation update (Norma Técnica Nº259) that broadened the risk‑vital causal, saying it would open the door to “free abortion”. During his remarks he asked Chamber president Jorge Alessandri to silence the feminist legislators, repeatedly demanding they be quiet while he spoke. He further linked the issue to the UN’s Agenda 2030, labeling it a set of “maldades”. His statements provoked sharp rebukes from opposition deputies and drew media attention, with video of the episode circulating online.