Arica: Confirmation of Agricultural Secretary’s Resignation Due to Positive Drug Test

Original article: Arica: Confirman que salida de Seremi de Agricultura fue por dar positivo en test de drogas

In a brief statement, the Government confirmed that the resignation of Jorge Heiden Campbell, the Secretary of Agriculture for the Arica Region, was «accepted» following mandatory drug tests administered to Regional Ministerial Secretaries throughout the country.

According to some regional media reports, Heiden initially informed his team that he would step down due to a «job offer in the United States,» a claim that was later dismissed following the ministry’s official announcement.

«The Ministry reaffirms its commitment to comply with current legislation and will continue working normally to ensure the continuity of policies and programs that benefit the agricultural sector,» adds the official communication regarding this case.

Subsequently, in statements to Frontera Norte Arica, regional presidential delegate Cristian Sayes confirmed that Heiden’s resignation was indeed linked to a positive result from the required drug test.

«He indicated that it was due to a job opportunity that had arisen in the United States, which we wish him the best for, but during the day we realized that the results of his tests came back positive, hence he was asked to resign,» Sayes explained.

«We cannot overlook these situations. We demand that the entire community adheres to the rules, and we must be the first to comply with them,» emphasized the presidential delegate.

Since the beginning of José A. Kast’s government, 23 regional ministerial secretaries have left their positions.