From "no to impunity" to "very good news": the political reactions to Patricio Maturana's parole

After the Parole Board of the Talca Court of Appeals granted early release from prison this Friday to former police officer Patricio Maturana, sentenced to 12 years for leaving Senator Fabiola Campillai blind, various figures from the political world reacted to the decision. Among them was the parliamentarian herself, who in a statement criticized the decision, stating that "as a victim and as a Senator of the Republic, I state clearly that this decision constitutes an act of impunity." She was joined by fellow Senator Yasna Provoste (DC), who through social media began by expressing her solidarity with Campillai, describing her as a "victim of human rights violations, who today must face a new and painful episode." "Victims deserve respect, justice, and to have their voices heard. No to impunity. Fabiola, you are not alone!" said the legislator from the Atacama Region on her X account. All our solidarity with Senator @DignidadFabiola, victim of human rights violations, who today must face a new and painful episode. Victims deserve respect, justice, and to have their voices heard. No to impunity. Fabiola, you are not alone! https://t.co/tq3jDFqohq — Yasna Provoste Campillay (@ProvosteYasna) October 16, 2026 For her part, Deputy Ericka Ñanco (FA) began her social media post by stating that it was "first weekend release, then daily release, now parole," and immediately pointed out that this "is not coincidence: it is a path laid out by those who call leaving a woman blind on her way to work 'doing their duty.' Impunity is built step by step, and we are watching it happen live." From the governing coalition, meanwhile, Deputy Ximena Ossandón (RN), a member of the Chamber's Human Rights Committee, stated that if parole was granted to Maturana it was because he met the requirements. "The truth is that we have made many modifications to the parole system after cases like that of Ámbar Cornejo — the young woman murdered in 2020. And certainly, it is no longer just about serving time; an entire system was designed where even the victim has the possibility of expressing her position," she noted. Deputy Leandro Kunstmann (Republican Party) was even more direct. He called the measure "good news" and a "step forward," saying he would hope that the former uniformed officer would also be granted a pardon. Furthermore, despite the sentence the former police officer received, the parliamentarian reiterated: "We believe and are convinced that he is not guilty of what happened to Senator Fabiola Campillai; various expert reports that were not considered in that trial have said so." From the same Republican bench, Deputy Chiara Barchiesi also stated that she is "convinced that Captain Maturana is innocent." The legislator added that "I am glad from the bottom of my heart that he is leaving prison, but we must move toward his total freedom and that of all the police officers who have spent years serving unjust sentences for protecting us during the uprising." I am convinced that Captain Maturana is innocent. I am glad from the bottom of my heart that he is leaving prison, but we must move toward his total freedom and that of all the police officers who have spent years serving unjust sentences for protecting us during the uprising. pic.twitter.com/babdY2r3nJ — Deputy Chiara Barchiesi 🇨🇱 (@BarchiesiDip) October 16, 2026