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3 clusters · 29 sources · 17 days · First seen · Last updated

Chile sports ministry controversy and ministerial resignatì

Overview

In late July 2026, transparency data revealed that Francisca Mardones, the regional sports secretary for Chile's Maule region, continued to receive more than $10 million in scholarships and related benefits from the national sports institute while drawing a full government salary. The payments, approved verbally by Sports Minister Natalia Duco, sparked criticism over overlapping public funds, despite Mardones’ claim that the scholarships covered delayed salary and personal needs. She formally renounced the scholarship on 2 June 2026. A week later, Minister Natalia Duco responded to the growing criticism. She defended her tenure, stating that only President José Antonio Kast could question her position, and denied allegations of misuse of a government vehicle. Duco also announced a legislative change to the Chilean Labor Code, replacing the term “footballer” with “athlete” to allow professional contracts for all athletes, and called for greater media coverage of sport. The situation escalated in August 2026 when President José Antonio Kast accepted the resignations of both Minister Duco and Undersecretary Andrés Otero, effective 14 August. Their departures followed an investigation by the Comptroller General into the alleged misuse of a government vehicle. While the Ministry of Sport claimed the vehicle was used for a “work meeting,” video footage emerged showing Duco and other officials at a private social gathering involving alcohol and karaoke. Duco’s brief five-month tenure was also marked by controversies regarding the management of the National Stadium for BTS concerts, disputes over athlete apparel, and her initial opposition to Chile hosting the 2030 Youth Olympic Games. Lawyer Francisco Riveros, a former advisor to the Presidency and former manager of the Palestino club, has been identified as the likely successor to lead the Ministry of Sport.

Entities

Natalia Duco · José Antonio Kast · Ministry of Sport · Chile Labor Code · Maule Region

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.

Coverage disagrees

Sources make claims that cannot both be true. CLSTR reports the disagreement; it does not decide who is right.

Timeline

  1. 2 days ago

    [POLITICS] 26 sources
    Chilean Sport Minister Natalia Duco resigns amid vehicle misuse investigation

    Chilean President José Antonio Kast accepted the resignations of Sport Minister Natalia Duco and Undersecretary Andrés Otero following controversies over the use of a government vehicle and other management deç

  2. 11 days ago

    [POLITICS] 3 sources
    Chile Sports Minister Natalia Duco Defends Position and Announces Athlete‑Contract Law Change

    Chile’s Sports Minister Natalia Duco defended her role, said only President Kast decides her stay, denied vehicle misuse, and announced a Labor Code change to let all athletes sign professional contracts as she

  3. 19 days ago

    [POLITICS] 3 sources
    Chile's Maule Sports Secretary Francisca Mardones received over $10 million in state scholarships while serving

    Chile's Maule sports secretary Francisca Mardones received more than $10 million in IND scholarships while earning a $4.55 M salary, a practice authorized by Minister Natalia Duco before she resigned from the 2

Sources

ahoradigital.net · alairelibre.cl · amigospenquistas.cl · arcachile.cl · atacamanoticias.cl · atentos.cl · chiloenews.cl · concierto.cl · diarioelcentro.cl · diarioelranco.cl · diarioextra.com · eldeportero.cl · elreferente.cl · finde.latercera.com · ilustrado.cl · lahora.cl · lanacion.cl · latercera.com · lavozdemaipu.cl · losfanaticos.cl · primerabchile.cl · radioimagina.cl · radiopolar.com · redgol.cl · revistaenterate.com.ar · rockandpop.cl · tarapacaonline.cl · vilasradio.cl · wapa.tv

This summary has been updated 4 times: see revision history