Chilean opposition seeks investigation into Finance Minister Jorge Quiroz

Opposition lawmakers in Chile are pushing for a Special Investigative Commission to probe Finance Minister Jorge Quiroz over potential conflicts of interest. The move follows reports alleging that the ministry accelerated environmental permits for projects linked to the minister’s brother and a company where Quiroz previously served as a private consultant.

The specific projects under scrutiny include the Alto Santorini project in Concón, owned by the minister's brother, and a potassium salt production plant in the Salar de Atacama belonging to Grupo Errázuriz. Lawmakers expressed concerns regarding transparency and probity, noting that the environmental committee responsible for approving these initiatives lacks public records or minutes of its decisions. Some deputies suggested the actions could indicate influence peddling or a lack of administrative integrity.