Security Minister Trinidad Steinert officially denied any involvement in the recent removal of PDI intelligence official Consuelo Peña, dismissing allegations that the departure was a pretext for settling internal scores. Addressing the Senate's Security Commission on Wednesday, Steinert insisted the decision was made entirely within the institution, aligning her account with that of PDI Director General Eduardo Cerna, according to CNN Chile.
Steinert rejected claims regarding a so-called "complot" or conspiracy behind the exit. She characterized the circulating rumors as "vexatious expressions" that lack factual merit, noting her discomfort with the tone of public speculation. Specifically, the Minister addressed and rejected attempts to "install a parallel history" involving alleged romantic motives or personal conflicts, stating that such insinuations have been personally taxing, CNN Chile reported.
Consuelo Peña, a former prosecutor, also issued a rebuttal to the theories surrounding her exit. She explicitly denied that her departure from the PDI was the result of a coordinated plot.
Scrutiny from the Senate
Senator Juan Luis Castro weighed in on the controversy, noting that he sees no immediate reason to doubt the Minister’s word. However, Castro raised concerns regarding the official documentation provided by the ministry.
"I have no reason not to believe her," Castro said, while simultaneously questioning the formal correspondence sent by the authority. He confirmed that the matter is currently under review by the Comptroller General’s Office to determine if administrative procedures were followed correctly.
The Comptroller’s office continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the leadership change. Officials have not yet provided a definitive timeline for when the findings will be released to the public.
As the investigation proceeds, the government maintains that the leadership transition within the PDI adheres to standard institutional protocols. Steinert reiterated that her focus remains on management and the operational efficacy of the police force, emphasizing her own background as a prosecutor since 2005 as evidence of her commitment to institutional collaboration.
