From Calling State Officials «Parasites» to Earning Up to $8.9 Million Monthly: Cristian Valenzuela Becomes Kast’s Top Advisor Amid Controversies

Original article: Recuerdan columna “parásitos” de Cristian Valenzuela: Hoy recibirá hasta $8,9 millones al mes como asesor de Kast en medio de escándalos

From Calling State Officials «Parasites» to Earning $8.9 Million: Cristian Valenzuela, Kast’s Advisor

From Columnist to Power: Valenzuela’s Controversial Rise to La Moneda

Cristián Valenzuela, a columnist for La Tercera, penned the «Parasites» column in October 2025, labeling the state as «rotten» due to officials whom he believed exploited the public system, advocating for cuts in government spending while criticizing increases in public sector staffing. Today, according to reports from @PiensaPrensa, he serves as «the chief advisor to José Kast at La Moneda, earning $8.9 MILLION per month.»

Multi-Million Dollar Contract: Fees of $80.9 Million

The Radio Biobío Investigation Unit, in a report dated April 18, 2026, authored by Nicolás Parra Tapia and Felipe Díaz Montero, obtained the contract that secured Valenzuela’s position as «coordinator of presidential cabinet advisors.»

The document stipulates: «Tiered payments ranging from $4.6 million to $8.9 million per month,» with a total gross fee of $80.9 million for just over nine months of service, from March 11 to December 31, 2026.

According to the reported details, Valenzuela is expected to «coordinate all the support teams that make up the Presidential Advisory» and «participate and advise in political committees involving various ministries,» as well as provide guidance on any matters required by the President.

News media portray him as Kast’s «Rasputin,» receiving unwavering support from the Head of State, despite criticisms surrounding the provocative slogan of a «bankrupt state.»

Uncomfortable Background: $33 Million Before Arriving at La Moneda

An investigation by Fastcheck, revealed on November 15, 2025 and picked up by CNN Chile, indicates that Valenzuela, who joined the High Public Management System (SADP) in 2018, has accrued «$33 million for 197 sessions, 41 of which occurred in 2025 alone.»

The same source details his role as contributing to 21 selection processes in ministries such as Economy, Education, and Health. The report adds that these three ministries collectively represent $76.2 million in salaries from 2018 to 2025 alongside two other advisors to Kast.

This revelation becomes especially significant following Valenzuela’s «Parasites» column. While he criticized the state as «rotten» due to officials profiting from the public apparatus, Fastcheck’s data shows he himself has received millions from public funds. Sebastián Figueroa, another advisor, has obtained $25.8 million since 2019, and Carmen Soza has accumulated $17.4 million for 107 participations. Fastcheck clarifies that «the three maintain their positions until October 2025.»

A Salary Exceeding Advisors of Boric and Piñera

According to an analysis from Biobío Investigates, once Valenzuela receives his fourth payment, he will become “one of the highest-paid advisors in the Second Floor, at least, in the last eight years.”

The legal ceiling is set at $10 million monthly, established by the Commission for Salary Setting under Article 38 bis of the Constitution. Valenzuela’s salary of $8.9 million surpasses the $6 million earned by Carlos Durán and Aisén Etcheverry in Boric’s government, and the $7.8 million earned by Cristian Larroulet during Piñera’s second term.

Furthermore, Valenzuela has already received $7.8 million for January and February 2026, and $1.5 million for the first week of March, as confirmed by the Transparency portal.