The opposition has kicked off a season of censorship: Leiva (from the Socialist Party) has filed a complaint against Araya (from the Republican party) with the Security Committee.

Less than two months into this legislative period, a motion of censure has been filed against the head of the Chamber of Deputies' Security Committee, Cristián Araya (Republican), by Deputy Raúl Leiva (PS). The motion, if approved, would remove Araya from his position. The complaint stems from an extraordinary session called last Tuesday to discuss a bill on implementing preventive identity control measures in border areas, strategic facilities, and their surroundings. Araya argued that the special session was necessary to vote on the bill and prevent it from being sent to the full chamber without proper consideration. Leiva countered that, while Araya had the authority to call a session with four hours' notice, the urgency of the bill ("summa") was contradicted by a committee agreement that prohibits special sessions from running concurrently with the regular commission schedule (3:00 PM to 5:00 PM). He requested that the session be declared null. Araya stated that he had discussed the issue with the Chamber's Secretary General, Miguel Landeros, who acknowledged Leiva's point. "Indeed, there is a committee agreement that prohibits sessions running parallel to other commissions," Araya said, announcing that the session was nullified and another meeting would be scheduled. In that case, the motion of censure would need to be re-submitted, a plan that remained in place as of Monday. Although the opposition is in the minority, the situation has caused concern about the potential role of Deputy Gloria Naveillán (Libertarian), whose vote could be decisive. In the previous parliamentary period, left-wing and center-left forces had already blocked Araya's attempt to become head of the committee, choosing Naveillán as president instead. Complaint and Response When contacted by this media outlet, Leiva stated that "there have been serious violations of the rules, not only in voting procedures, but also in summons and notices issued outside the regulations, which had been previously warned about." Therefore, the head of the PS caucus added, "the scrutiny and the level of preparation that a committee president must have is directly proportional to their position, and unfortunately, these violations of the rules warrant a censure, because they have not acted appropriately in their capacity as president." When asked if he had the votes to censure Araya, Leiva affirmed: "It is a possibility, and if not, a clear warning to the president of the committee that he must abide by the rules." When contacted, Araya downplayed the socialist's offensive, stating that "there is posturing on the part of the Socialist Party, which acts as a tail of the Broad Front and the Communist Party, trying to appear more left-wing than communists and broad front supporters. It is part of the political show." He emphasized that "this is a committee that is making good progress, but obviously facing those who prefer to obstruct the legislative work that aims to generate laws that benefit the security of Chileans." April 6, 2026. Deputy Cristián Araya during a press conference. Photo: Dedvi Missene Political Balance The Security Committee has six members who belong to the government's ranks: Araya himself, Enrique Basaletti (independent Republican), and Chiara Barchiesi (Republican), Jaime Coloma (UDI), Eduardo Cretton (UDI), and Mauro González (RN). The other right-wing deputy, but who is not formally part of the government's ranks, is Gloria Naveillán (Libertarian). They allow La Moneda (the presidential palace) to control this key legislative space for the government of José Antonio Kast. The other members are Leiva, Jaime Araya (independent -PPD), Bernardo Salinas (independent -PC), Tatiana Urrutia (FA), Patricio Pinilla (DC), and Juan Marcelo Valenzuela (PDG). With this composition, Araya could breathe easily only if Naveillán votes against Leiva's offensive. However, when contacted, the libertarian deputy declined to comment on the conflict until she had spoken with the head of the committee.