Chilean protesters demand “Ley Mariana” to prevent statute of limitations on violent crimes

In Chile, demonstrators have gathered to demand justice for Mariana Loreto Sepúlveda León, whose disappearance 18 years ago has reignited calls for legislative reform. Protesters are advocating for the “Ley Mariana,” a proposed law that would make crimes such as homicide, femicide, and parricide imprescriptible, ensuring that the passage of time does not prevent legal accountability.

The movement seeks to address perceived institutional negligence and judicial failures. Supporters, including family members and political figures like Deputy Javier Muñoz, argue that making these specific crimes imprescriptible is essential to ending impunity and ensuring that the state provides justice regardless of how much time has elapsed since the crime occurred.