Shakeup at the Ministry of Sports: Duco and Otero Resign Amid Scandals Involving Public Vehicle, BBQ, and Karaoke

Original article: Cae la cúpula del Ministerio del Deporte: Duco y Otero dejan sus cargos tras polémica por vehículo fiscal, asado y karaoke

The leadership of the Ministry of Sports will officially change this Friday, August 14, following President José Antonio Kast accepting the resignations of Minister Natalia Duco and Undersecretary Andrés Otero. Both resignations take effect immediately, marking the end of a contentious tenure abruptly halted by a scandal involving allegations of improper use of a government vehicle and videos of officials from the ministry engaging in an event featuring BBQ, karaoke, and drinks.

The far-right president’s decision was relayed through a brief statement from the Presidency’s Press Department, confirming the departure of the Cabinet members without further details in the initial announcement.

The catalyst for this governmental crisis was a complaint lodged with the Comptroller’s Office regarding the possible misuse of a government vehicle used by Duco to attend an event on April 23. This prompted her to be summoned to La Moneda due to the unrest this situation caused within Kast’s administration. Duco justified the vehicle’s use as part of a work-related meeting at the home of a former employee, but her explanation crumbled after a video surfaced showing her participating in a celebration alongside ministry staff.

The images leaked by La Tercera and included in the documents sent to the Comptroller’s Office captured not only the work-related gathering but also a festive atmosphere that featured a BBQ, karaoke sessions, and alcoholic beverages, contradicting the version presented to the regulatory body.

According to the media outlet, at 20:05 on April 23, there was a movement towards the Lo Curro area with an entry that says «Minister’s transfer to a meeting in Vitacura,» followed by another transfer to Duco’s residence in Las Condes.

In Otero’s case, the now former undersecretary reportedly signed the document sent to the Comptroller’s Office, defending the legality of using the government vehicle by arguing that it complied with existing regulations for official functions. However, this argument was called into question by the evidence and records from the gathering, heightening internal pressure for both officials to resign.

Aside from the vehicle usage, the note also addressed criticisms related to a scholarship from the Proddar Program that Duco received, aimed at high-performance athletes. The National Sports Institute stepped in to clarify that the last payment of this benefit was made before her appointment as minister, dismissing any wrongdoing that would necessitate returning the funds.

Controversies Surrounding Duco as Minister: From Rodeo as a «National Sport» to Critiques Over BTS Concert at National Stadium

During the five months Natalia Duco led the Ministry of Sports, several controversies emerged, including her criticized comments labeling rodeo as a national sport.

In late March, the former athlete accompanied Kast at the close of the 77th National Rodeo Championship held at the Medialuna Monumental in Rancagua.

At this event, Duco declared that rodeo «is a national sport» and expressed her willingness to collaborate with the federation to promote its growth.

«Let’s start working together, let’s do things,» she stated while justifying her support by referencing her family ties. «My brother-in-law competes every weekend, and that’s why I’ve been able to get involved and learn much more about this, thanks to them, I’ve been able to see firsthand what rodeo really is,» she recounted.

These statements raised alarms and provoked backlash from groups such as the organization Animal Libre, which even presented the then secretary of state with 250,000 citizen signatures requesting that rodeo cease being classified as a sport and that all forms of support, acknowledgment, and funding from the state towards this practice be withdrawn.

The former shot putter also found herself in hot water after stating during the launch of the ITTF World Para Future 2026 that a priority for the ministry would be providing “nice clothes” for the athletes, along with the cancellation of the 2026 National and Parapan American Games in Santiago, citing budget cuts imposed by the administration. This event was set to see participation from over 3,000 athletes across 22 disciplines.

One of the largest controversies during Duco’s term even reached international headlines was the refusal of the National Sports Institute (IND) to authorize the use of the National Stadium for the three concerts of the South Korean K-pop group BTS, scheduled for October 14, 16, and 17.

With over 144,000 tickets sold—48,000 for each performance—and uncertainty surrounding the shows’ future, Kast’s administration faced scrutiny on the international stage and sparked massive mobilizations and protests.

In response to the discontent and pressure, the agency approved the use of the venue after the producer made modifications to the project; the day after this announcement, Duco removed Lorena Castillo from her position as director of the IND and appointed Juan Pablo Salgado as her replacement.