Jeannette Jara Challenges José Antonio Kast’s Leadership Over Corrupt Advisors

Original article: Jeannette Jara sobre cuestionados asesores de Kast: “Si yo tuviera 2 personas corruptas en mi entorno como él las tiene, yo las separaría inmediatamente”

«Leadership or Empty Promises»: Jeannette Jara Calls Out José Antonio Kast Over Corruption

Presidential candidate Jeannette Jara from Unidad por Chile rigorously criticized the leadership of her rival José Antonio Kast during a social forum on Thursday. Jara accused Kast of surrounding himself with two individuals she labeled as «corrupt»: economic advisor Jorge Quiroz, due to his role in collusion scandals, and Bernardo Fontaine, for his foundation’s connection to troll accounts funded with money sourced from the country’s pension funds. Jara stated, «When someone refuses to engage in dialogue, they always seek to attack the other, and that’s what candidate Kast does.»

In a clear challenge to Kast’s integrity, Jara provided detailed reasons for her accusations. She remarked, «If I had the one who masterminded the chicken and pharmacy collusion, which overcharged people for a long time, I would remove him from my team,» referring to Quiroz. Additionally, she indicated she would act similarly with the individual who «paid the AFP Association under the table to create armies of trolls, bots, and everything running with artificial intelligence on social media,» alluding to Fontaine. This confrontation rapidly went viral on social media.

The challenge was widely shared and went viral on social media:

Post by @RobertoMerken

Post by Piensa Prensa

Jara contrasted this situation with her own actions, recalling the recent departure of her former advisor Darío Quiroga due to classist remarks. «As I did last week with my main advisor, because he made a mistake. That is leadership; that is making decisions and having a firm hand. The rest is just empty talk,» she emphasized, asserting that a true leader must make tough decisions and act decisively, especially when aspiring to govern a country.

«Real Security»

Simultaneously, the official candidate utilized her social media to share a video segment from the debate, outlining her government proposals. In the footage, Jara pledges to provide «real security» that includes «more police on the streets, orderly borders, and pursuing drug trafficking by following the money trail, with the lifting of bank secrecy.» She also promises a «Vital Income of $750,000,» capping political salaries, tax-free medications, and a 20% reduction in electricity bills, concluding with a message: «I can smile and dance, but I also know how to organize,» reminding that as a minister she «has already demonstrated my commitment with 38 projects presented and more than 28 approved.»