Special Commission to Investigate Trinidad Steinert’s Alleged Interference in Organized Crime Cases and Requests for Confidential Information

Original article: Comisión investigará si Steinert interfirió en causas de crimen organizado y por qué pidió antecedentes reservados a la PDI

A Special Investigative Commission (CEI) will conduct a thorough evaluation of former Minister of Security, Trinidad Steinert, to determine if she interfered in cases related to organized crime and the reasons behind her request for confidential information from the Police Investigations Department (PDI).

On Tuesday, the Chamber of Deputies approved the creation of this commission. This decision, which had been rejected in a previous vote on July 14, was overturned with 62 votes in favor, 58 against, and one abstention, marking a new chapter in the ongoing political tension between the government and the opposition regarding public security policies.

It’s important to note that the General Comptroller’s Office determined that the former authority acted beyond her legal powers when she requested reserved information from the PDI regarding an investigation in which she had previously participated as the Tarapacá prosecutor.

The ruling No. D344/2026, issued on July 1 by General Comptroller Dorothy Pérez, stated that by demanding a detailed list of officials, including names, identification numbers, ranks, and disciplinary records from a unit involved in the inquiry into the so-called «Chen Clan,» Steinert exceeded the powers granted to her by law and violated the principle of legality.

This pronouncement has become the cornerstone upon which the opposition has built its political offensive, arguing that the former minister compromised integrity and the proper handling of classified information.

In this context, the CEI will have a clear and limited mandate: to gather all necessary information to clarify whether the former minister interfered in sensitive investigations related to organized crime. Critical points for review include the composition of the high command of Order and Security Forces, the information requests sent to the PDI, and the implementation of the new ministry, as reported by Bio Bío Chile. This last point generates significant controversy, as it seeks to determine if Steinert’s decisions impacted the operational autonomy of police forces at a time when public safety is the primary citizen concern.

The deputies who proposed the creation of the investigative commission, including Jaime Araya (Ind-PPD), Raúl Leiva (PS), Patricio Pinilla (DC), Tatiana Urrutia (FA), and Bernardo Salinas (PC), members of the Chamber’s Security Commission, defended the necessity of this measure, stating that it is a fundamental mechanism to ensure transparency and proper use of public powers.

Deputy Araya emphasized that the accusations against Steinert are serious, as they pertain to possible interference in organized crime cases.

«It should not be forgotten that the actions for which Minister Steinert is criticized relate to interference in organized crime cases, at a time when the primary issue in our country is the rise of organized crime,” he stated, according to coverage by the media cited.

The controversy surrounding Steinert has intensified following reports that the government is considering her potential appointment to a diplomatic position, specifically, an attaché role in Peru.

The special investigative commission will now need to summon involved parties and gather necessary documentation to determine whether there was a violation of police autonomy and if the former authority should face political and criminal responsibilities for her decisions. Additionally, the commission must clarify the roles played by other executive figures and establish whether any breaches occurred that warrant further oversight actions.