Chilean Ministry of the Interior faces scrutiny over hiring 19-year-old student

The Chilean Ministry of the Interior has faced scrutiny following the hiring of Cristóbal Soto, a 19-year-old first-year journalism student, for a social media and communications support role. Soto is working under a fee-based contract with a monthly salary of $1.9 million pesos.

Members of the PDG (Republican Democratic Party) caucus have criticized the appointment, labeling it “the emblem of nepotism” (el emblema del pituto). Lawmakers, including Deputy Juan Marcelo Valenzuela, stated that the criticism is not directed at the individual's age, but rather at the lack of transparency regarding the merit, experience, and selection criteria used to justify such a salary for a first-year student using public funds.

This case follows other recent controversial hires in the National Migration Service and the Ministry of Justice involving young professionals, prompting calls for legislation that would require at least three years of experience for public advisory positions.