Migueles Claims Vivanco Knew of Payments Before Major Ruling Favoring Belarusian Consortium

Original article: Vivanco votó y no se inhabilitó: Migueles afirma que le contó a la exjueza sobre pagos antes de fallo millonario a favor del consorcio bielorruso

Gonzalo Migueles stated that former Supreme Court Minister Ángela Vivanco was aware as of September 2023 that he would receive payments from lawyer Eduardo Lagos if the Belarusian consortium Belaz-Movitec (CBM) achieved favorable outcomes in appeals to the highest court. This revelation is critical within the so-called «Belarusian Plot,» as days later, Vivanco and the Third Chamber approved two motions that mandated Codelco to pay $5.441 million to CBM.

The new statement, given on September 3 at OS7 premises, contradicts both his initial testimony and that of Vivanco, as both had previously claimed that the former judge never learned of any payments. The document, comprising 12 pages, was recognized by the Prosecutor’s Office as cooperation with the investigation, allowing Migueles to be released from preventive detention on Wednesday, September 30.

Migueles had been held at the Capitán Yáber Penitentiary Annex since November 15, 2025, following his formal charge for crimes of bribery, corruption, and money laundering.

«It was at that time, during our conversation about machine operations, that I mentioned to Ángela that if Eduardo Lagos was successful in the case, he would share fees with me,» he stated, as revealed by CIPER.

«It was at that moment and not before that she became aware of the payments I would receive for this case,» he added.

According to the investigative outlet, this conversation took place before lawyers Eduardo Lagos, Gabriel Silber, and Mario Vargas filed a claim before the Supreme Court on September 21, 2023, alleging losses that CBM incurred due to the mobilization of its machinery amid its dispute with Codelco.

Seven days later, the Third Chamber accepted the request in favor of CBM with the vote of Vivanco, who at that time was aware that her then-partner would receive payments from a ruling she would issue, and she did not disqualify herself.

In his testimony, Migueles limited the agreements to Lagos and indicated that the other partners were unaware. «I must clarify that Mario Vargas and Gabriel Silber were not informed of the agreements I had with Eduardo, as he instructed me not to say anything to anyone, which included both of them,» he said.

He also detailed five payments related to the CBM case, totaling US$95,000. Four were made after September 2023, when, according to Migueles, Vivanco was already aware of the payments from Lagos. He mentioned that in June 2024, the lawyer informed him they had been successful in the Supreme Court and that he would provide a bonus.

«In mid-June 2024, Eduardo called me and instructed me to go back to the exchange house to withdraw $45,000,» he indicated. This was, according to his account, the largest amount related to the Belarusian consortium’s case.

Regarding Vivanco’s involvement, Migueles stated that he sought assistance due to her position within the Supreme Court.

«I spoke with Ángela Vivanco and informed her that the resource was already at the Supreme Court and that it was important for it to be reviewed as soon as possible, and since she was the president, she could expedite the process,» he declared. He added that Lagos insisted all day, and he kept Vivanco updated on the developments. According to him, the former judge responded that she would do her best and saw no problems because the speed depended on her.

The first payment from Lagos, according to Migueles, occurred on July 3, 2023.

«Eduardo was very happy, euphoric, and told me that the ruling was ready and that they had done well on the resource. I don’t know how Eduardo knew the result of the resource. He thanked me for my efforts and told me that as I had been told, we both won here and handed me an envelope with $15,000 in cash,» he recounted.

He also admitted to using that money for everyday expenses, debts, credit cards, and travel, but asserted: «I never gave any money to Ángela,» although he acknowledged that he used it for common expenses, such as rent or a trip to Buenos Aires in December 2023.

Contradictions in the Statements of Vivanco and Migueles

CIPER’s report also references the contradictions of Migueles, recalling that on April 23, before Prosecutor Marco Muñoz, he had stated that Vivanco never knew of the payments:

«No. If that had happened, you would be facing a eunuch, you have no idea the level of integrity Ángela has. If she had known, she would be a eunuch today. She never knew about the money, until the formalization, and in these six months, we have not spoken,» he declared.

The former magistrate, for her part, stated on August 6 that she never discussed the CBM case with her ex-partners. «Lagos, Vargas, or Silber never mentioned anything regarding the case. Migueles neither,» she said.