Original article: Tras escuchar a la familia: Comisión de la Mujer del Senado exige al Gobierno que «cumpla su deber legal» y se querelle por femicidio en caso de Camila Ponce

Senate Women’s Commission Urges Government to Fulfill Legal Obligations and Pursue Murder Charges in Camila Ponce Case

On Monday, April 13, the Senate’s Commission on Women and Gender Equity welcomed the family of Camila Ponce, a young lesbian who was murdered in Valparaíso, to gather more information about the case and the request to investigate the crime as a femicide.

The session was marked by the absence of the Minister of Women, Judith Marín, who did not attend.

Following the family’s presentation, the senators reached a unanimous agreement to officially contact the Ministry of Women to ensure they «fulfill their legal duty» by filing a formal complaint.

In this context, Senator Karol Cariola (PC) emphasized the bipartisan agreement adopted by the Commission, including support from Senator Vanesa Kayser (PNL). She noted that this request aligns with the oversight actions established in the Women’s Commission of the Chamber of Deputies.

«By bipartisan agreement, we request that the Minister file a complaint. This is an institutional request that we expect to be taken seriously. Furthermore, the Minister claimed she had contacted the family, but today the family informed us this was not the case,» Cariola stated.

The lawmakers recalled that Article 37 of the Comprehensive Law on Violence against Women mandates the Ministry of Women, through Sernameg, to file charges in such cases.

In line with this, Camila’s mother, Katherine Arriagada, stressed the need for a government response: «This happened because the system failed. My daughter should be with us now, but she is not. It is crucial that the Minister of Women submits the appropriate complaint to give this case real weight.”

Camila’s father, David Ponce, pointed to systemic failures and the need to enhance prevention: «What we presented to the Commission is a systematic failure of the system. As a family, we have also proposed the inclusion of high-risk individuals… those who repeatedly violate the law. We need a national integrated system for managing high-risk individuals.»

Senator Cariola described this case as a hate crime committed with malicious intent: «This was not an accident; it is important to stress that. The individual who murdered Camila had a history of violence and reports of lesbophobia. She was a young lesbian, and that’s why her family requests that the complaint filed by the State of Chile be for femicide.»

Finally, Senator Beatriz Sánchez (FA) lamented the Minister’s absence and the lack of action from the ministry: «There are still unanswered questions… We do not understand if this is the same government because the Ministry of Security does file complaints, but the Ministry of Women does not, when that is how the State responds and supports victims in heinous cases like this one in Valparaíso.»

Other Requests

The Commission also resolved to contact the Barón Police Station in Valparaíso and the General Director of Carabineros to understand the routine procedures adopted by the institution following reports of irregularities in witness statements and the speed of the investigation.

What Happened to Camila Ponce?

On March 19, Camila Ponce had an altercation with another driver on Avenida España in Valparaíso. The individual struck her and then ran her over, leaving her in critical condition. Camila died days later, and the suspect was apprehended by Carabineros while attempting to flee Chile through Colchane.

Reports indicate that, in addition to the arrest warrant for Camila’s murder, the accused had multiple other outstanding warrants for violent robbery, forgery of a driver’s license, drug trafficking in small quantities, and petty theft.

Previously, he had also been arrested for petty theft and receiving stolen goods.

We will continue to provide updates.