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Chile sports ministry controversy and ministerial shifts

Updated 5 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

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2026-08-15 02:46 UTC → 2026-09-08 02:56 UTC · added removed

Chile sports ministry controversy and ministerial resignatì shifts

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 Mardones formally renounced the scholarship on 2 June 2026. A week later, Following this, Sports Minister Natalia Duco responded to the growing criticism. She defended her tenure, stating that only President José Antonio Kast could question her position, and position. She denied allegations of misuse of misusing a government vehicle. Duco also announced vehicle and promoted a legislative change to the Chilean Labor Code, replacing Code to replace the term “footballer” ‘footballer’ with “athlete” to allow professional contracts for all athletes, and called for greater media coverage of sport. The situation escalated ‘athlete’. However, in August 2026 when 2026, 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 a Comptroller General investigation into the alleged misuse of a government vehicle. While vehicle; while the Ministry of Sport claimed the vehicle was used for a “work meeting,” ‘work meeting,’ video footage emerged showing Duco and other showed 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 management for BTS concerts, disputes over athlete apparel, concerts 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 Riveros was identified as the likely successor to lead the Ministry 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 Sport. 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.

Versions

  1. 2026-09-08 02:56 UTC Chile sports ministry controversy and ministerial shifts
  2. 2026-08-15 02:46 UTC Chile sports ministry controversy and ministerial resignatì
  3. 2026-08-14 17:34 UTC Chile sports ministry controversy and ministerial resignatì
  4. 2026-08-14 13:01 UTC Chile sports ministry controversy and ministerial resignatì
  5. 2026-08-14 03:12 UTC Chile sports ministry controversy and ministerial resignatì
  6. 2026-08-05 22:12 UTC Chile sports ministry controversy

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