Original article: Revelan vínculos entre ministro Rabat y Trinidad Zegers: Asesora cuestionada por falta experiencia es amiga cercana de su hija

Connections Revealed Between Minister Rabat and Trinidad Zegers: Controversial Advisor Linked to Lack of Experience and Close Friendship

Trinidad Zegers Domínguez, an advisor at the Ministry of Justice, shares a long-standing friendship that dates back to school with one of the daughters of the Minister, Fernando Rabat.

According to an investigation by Bio Bío Chile, the 27-year-old lawyer’s hiring has raised questions due to her limited professional background. She was a classmate of Rabat’s daughter at Colegio Los Andes in Vitacura, a school linked to Opus Dei, from where they both graduated in 2017.

The gathered records indicate that the two have known each other for over twelve years and maintain public interactions on social media, demonstrating a sustained friendship. Sources have confirmed their close personal relationship.

After graduating high school, their academic paths diverged: Rabat’s daughter pursued a degree in Commercial Engineering at the Universidad de los Andes, while Zegers enrolled in Law at the Pontificia Universidad Católica. However, shortly after obtaining her professional degree, Zegers joined the team of her former schoolmate’s father.

Her appointment at the Ministry of Justice occurred in April 2026, the same month she was sworn in as a lawyer before the Supreme Court. Initially, she entered on a fee basis, but by May, she transitioned to a contracted role as a ministerial cabinet advisor, with a salary that, according to Transparency Portal records, ranges from 2.1 to 3.6 million pesos gross, including bonuses.

The appointment quickly opened the door to criticism. In August, just four months after she was sworn in, it was revealed that Rabat had tasked her with coordinating efforts to revive the Civil Procedure Reform, one of the most significant and delayed transformations in the country’s judicial system.

The Organization of Judicial Workers (OTJ) criticized the criteria used to assign her these responsibilities and called for more transparency. In response to the controversy, the minister clarified that Zegers would perform administrative and coordination functions, while the legal definitions of the reform would remain in the hands of the authorities and the ministry’s technical team.

Sources from the ministry justified her hiring by emphasizing the minister’s need for someone he trusts, while outlets like The Clinic reported that her arrival at the Ministry was at Rabat’s own request.

Criticism of Attempts to Hold Zegers Accountable for Sentence Reductions

Amid the controversy surrounding the minister and the government of José Antonio Kast regarding the 56 sentence reductions granted to individuals convicted of sexual offenses against minors, a so-called «exclusive» report by Canal 13 caught public attention, which was later replicated by other national media.

In this report, citing an internal document from the ministry, Zegers is identified as the «responsible staff member» for reviewing requests for sentence reductions coming from the Social Reintegration Division.

The report emphasizes that Zegers «was at the center of the controversy in August due to her lack of experience as a ministerial advisor,» and highlights that her duties include «reviewing and endorsing the documentation submitted to the Cabinet for the authority (Minister of Justice) to sign; and in the event of objections, referring to the appropriate area, with the necessary instructions.»

For many, this communication maneuver was not overlooked. It appeared to be a clear attempt to «cut the weakest link,» shifting the focus of responsibility onto an «inexperienced staff member» while omitting that ultimately the minister signs the documents.

According to Bio Bío Chile, consulted sources maintain that Zegers’ role within the Ministry relates to the formal review of documents—paperwork, in layman’s terms—and does not involve decision-making regarding the controversial sentence reductions for sexual offense convictions, contrasting with other media reports.

«So far, there has been no evidence that the advisor specifically intervened in the approval of these benefits»; indicated those from the mentioned outlet, emphasizing that the decrees they accessed «were signed by Minister Rabat himself and the Undersecretary for Human Rights, Pablo Mira.»

On social media, numerous comments questioned the attempt to hold Trinidad Zegers responsible for the sentence reductions.

«Now it turns out that a 27-year-old staff member at the Ministry of Justice is to blame for reviewing requests for sentence reductions. No, gentlemen. The ones who govern are adults and must take responsibility,» wrote journalist and former councilor of Las Condes, Isidora Alcalde.

In the midst of this controversy, the ministry announced a temporary suspension of processing new sentence reduction decrees after identifying what they described as a legal loophole regarding restrictions applicable to offenses committed before 2022.

*Featured image of Minister Fernando Rabat: Mediabanco.