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4 clusters · 30 sources · 41 days · First seen · Last updated

Chile sports ministry controversy and ministerial shifts

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 while drawing a full government salary. Mardones formally renounced the scholarship on 2 June 2026.

Following this, Sports Minister Natalia Duco defended her tenure, stating that only President José Antonio Kast could question her position. She denied allegations of misusing a government vehicle and promoted a legislative change to the Chilean Labor Code to replace the term ‘footballer’ with ‘athlete’. However, in August 2026, President Kast accepted the resignations of Duco and Undersecretary Andrés Otero, effective 14 August. Their departures followed a Comptroller General investigation into the alleged misuse of a government vehicle; while the Ministry claimed the vehicle was for a ‘work meeting,’ video footage showed officials at a private social gathering involving alcohol and karaoke. Duco’s tenure was also marked by controversies regarding National Stadium management for BTS concerts and her opposition to Chile hosting the 2030 Youth Olympic Games. Lawyer Francisco Riveros was identified as the likely successor to lead the Ministry.

On 7 September 2026, just 24 days after her resignation, Duco returned to the presidential palace to join the ‘Segundo Piso’ advisory team led by Alejandro Irarrázaval. This move drew criticism from political figures, including Socialist Party President Paulina Vodanovic, who accused the government of a ‘double standard.’ Members of the Partido de la Gente have announced legislative actions to demand transparency regarding Duco’s new functions, salary, and potential conflicts of interest.

Entities

Natalia Duco · José Antonio Kast · Alejandro Irarrázaval · Ministry of Sport · Chile Labor Code

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

Coverage disagrees

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

  • "The Comptroller General is investigating the alleged misuse of a government vehicle to attend a social gathering."

    vs

    "The Ministry of Sport claimed the vehicle was used for a work meeting at a former official's home."

    The Ministry of Sport claims the vehicle was used for a work meeting, whereas the Comptroller General is investigating it as a misuse of a vehicle to attend a social gathering.

Timeline

  1. 25 days ago

    [POLITICS] 3 sources
    Natalia Duco returns to presidential advisory team after brief resignation

    Former Chilean Sports Minister Natalia Duco is returning to a presidential advisory role just 24 days after resigning amid a government vehicle misuse investigation.

  2. about 2 months 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

  3. about 2 months 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

  4. 2 months 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 · ladiaria.com.uy · 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 5 times: see revision history