From the Larraín–Squella clash to the apologies to the UDI: the dispute that shook the ruling coalition over the reduction of sentences

The reduction of 56 sentences for sexual crimes by the Ministry of Justice triggered a crisis at La Moneda and particularly shook the ruling coalition this Saturday following the questioning of former Justice Minister Hernán Larraín (UDI) by the chairman of the Republican Party, Arturo Squella. The controversy erupted after Squella's response to the earlier statements of Sebastián Piñera's former justice minister, who contradicted the current head of the ministry, Fernando Rabat, amid the dispute over sentence reductions and the pressure over his management. The dispute, marked by various clashes on social media among ruling coalition leaders, took a turn during the day after the chairman of the UDI, Guillermo Ramírez, confirmed that he had received a call from Squella. "I have received a call from the chairman of the Republican Party, Arturo Squella, in which he has apologized for his post. He also told me that he will personally contact former senator Hernán Larraín to offer his apologies," Ramírez said. From the clash between Larraín and Squella to the apologies to the UDI: the dispute that shook the ruling coalition over the reduction of sentences DRAGOMIR YANKOVIC/ATON CHILE The UDI leader valued the rapprochement and reaffirmed his party's willingness to continue working alongside the government's party. "I sincerely appreciate the gesture and reiterate our commitment to work together on the task that Chileans have entrusted to us," he added. The controversy began after Larraín, in a statement, pointed out that during the legislative process of the law approved in 2022 on sentence reductions, it was specified that the benefit excludes those convicted of rape or sexual abuse of minors. The UDI leader also maintained that although the Supreme Court "initially considered that those convicted before the law came into force were entitled to the benefit and granted it. However, in recent rulings the Court has modified that position and has refused to grant it, recognizing that the sentence reduction is not covered by the principle of non-retroactivity of criminal law, a criterion faithfully reflected in the authentic legislative history of the law we promoted to safeguard the protection of children." "How valuable it would have been to have this law in force in the days of Paul Schäfer, don't you think, Hernán?" Squella questioned via X, which quickly inflamed tempers within the ruling coalition. Friendly fire in the ruling coalition Senator and chairman of Evópoli, Luciano Cruz-Coke, was one of the first to call out the Republican leader. "Arturo, you lead the President's party. A minimum of prudence demands controlling this outburst of anger. Sadly airing everything here. This is not how opposition is needed," he said. Later, deputy and chairman of the UDI, Guillermo Ramírez, joined Cruz-Coke's criticisms. "Those statements seem insulting to us. It is unacceptable. What Hernán Larraín did in that column was to report on what was done during President Piñera's government, which was precisely the government that legislated to remove these benefits from people who have committed crimes against children," he defended at a press point this Saturday. From the clash between Larraín and Squella to the apologies to the UDI: the dispute that shook the ruling coalition over the reduction of sentences "We also believe the criticism is unfair. I want to make a call for responsibility. We have many challenges ahead and we must take care of how we treat one another, because otherwise we weaken the government, weaken our position in Congress, give ammunition to the left, and in the end the country loses. Therefore, we will watch our tone, but we consider those statements unfair," he added. Along the same lines, former deputy María José Hoffmann accused that Squella "is causing profound damage to the Government. It is almost a pattern of behavior by now. His rash tweet is insulting and irresponsible. His words only reflect a deep and unhealthy distrust of his loyal partners. He is not up to his role." Republicans shield Squella Republican deputy Benjamín Moreno came to Squella's defense and responded to Cruz-Coke's criticisms, pointing to the criticism that various sectors of the ruling coalition have directed at the Executive. "'This is not how opposition is needed.' I agree, but not because of Senator Squella, nor because of you personally, Senator Cruz-Coke, but because of the many who, on various issues, want to throw themselves a feast by attacking the government," he said. Moreno added: "Let's look better at the names that keep repeating themselves, to see whether they are publicly reproached as you are trying to do now." Joining the criticism of Larraín was Republican deputy Luis Sánchez, who questioned the drafting of the legislation promoted during the UDI leader's tenure. "I understand that former minister Larraín wants to defend his work, but honestly, it would have been quite easy to include a provision clearly stating that the law in force at the time the benefit is requested applies. He did not do it. He probably trusted the 'good intentions' of the judges," he said. "Knowing that the Court was rejecting everything from them, they never informed Congress. Perhaps the outcome did not bother them that much. The left has always been generous with criminals," he stated. Meanwhile, Paz Charpentier also lashed out at the former minister. "Little contribution from Hernán Larraín. We are talking about how to better protect our children from those convicted of atrocious crimes. However, in his message it is not clear whether he is complaining because he was not invited to the Government or whether he is seeking to be called," she said. "Please clarify the objective; I see no nobility," she added. From the clash between Larraín and Squella to the apologies to the UDI: the dispute that shook the ruling coalition over the reduction of sentences Dedvi Missene