Lawsuit Filed Against Navy Officials in Valparaíso: Allegations of Assaulting and Abandoning Young Man in Rural Area

Original article: Querella contra funcionarios de la Armada en Valparaíso: Los acusan de golpear a joven en sector Muelle Barón y después dejarlo abandonado en zona rural

A lawsuit for the crime of torture has been filed in the Valparaíso Court against a group of Navy officials over incidents that allegedly occurred in the early hours of April 13, 2026.

According to the legal action, a 24-year-old man reported being subjected to physical assaults, threats, and unlawful pressures by three Maritime Police officers during a check at the Muelle Barón in the port city.

The complaint states that the young man was with a friend when he was stopped by naval personnel. After being searched, he reportedly fled in fear, only to be apprehended by the Navy officers.

Once subdued, the legal action alleges that the complainant «was handcuffed and repeatedly beaten with fists, feet, and an institutional baton, in addition to receiving pepper spray to the face. It also claims he was transported in an official vehicle to the Laguna Verde area, where he continued to be assaulted and threatened.»

The report indicates that the victim «was abandoned in a deserted area of Tierras Rojas, near Laguna Verde, from where he walked for several hours to get help to return to Valparaíso.»

The young man also went to a healthcare center to document his injuries. There, the medical records from the SAR Plan of Valparaíso confirmed a lacerating injury in the right eyebrow area.

«The victim reported the incident to Carabineros and also presented evidence to the Navy. Now, through the lawsuit filed in the port court, there is a request to investigate the potential criminal responsibility of the involved officials for the crime of torture as outlined in Chilean law,» stated representatives from the plaintiff’s side.

The lawsuit has been declared admissible by the court and forwarded to the Public Ministry to initiate an investigation into the case.

We will continue to provide updates.