Chilean senator threatens to block legislative agreements if new government goes after President Piñera

A Chilean senator from the National Renewal party warned the incoming government of President-elect Gabriel Boric that he would block any legislative agreements from being reached if the new administration pursues judicial action against outgoing President Sebastian Piñera.

Although Sen. Manuel José Ossandón previously blasted Piñera over his involvement in the Dominga mining project — which was revealed in the recently released Pandora Papers — the center-right senator now appears to have his sights set on Boric.

The 35-year-old president-elect first hinted on July 12, during the presidential debates, that he would hold the outgoing president accountable for the social unrest that has plagued Chile over the last two years. That is when Boric said, “You should know that those who are responsible will be prosecuted nationally and internationally with all the means of the law, so Mr. Piñera, you have been warned.”

Boric won the highly polarized Chilean presidential election on Dec. 19 after besting free-market candidate Jose Antonio Kast.

The 35-year-old former student protest leader whose coalition includes the Communist Party — has promised to move forward with the country’s thirst for reform. He supports the move to reform Chile’s prolific private pension fund administrators (AFPs) and the constitution, which is currently being re-written by a constitutional convention. 

Since his election, however, markets have fallen, the Peso devalued and terrorist groups in Chile’s southern region called for increased violence against Boric's "hippy, progressive and cool left" regime.

Last week, President Joe Biden called to congratulate him on his electoral victory, praising the South American nation’s election as a “powerful example” for the rest of the world.

According to White House press secretary Jen Psaki, Biden and Boric "discussed their shared commitment to social justice, democracy, human rights, and inclusive growth."

"President Biden underscored the importance of U.S.-Chile cooperation to promote a green and equitable recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and to address the existential threat posed by climate change," Psaki said.

Following his victory, Boric vowed to “bury” the South American country's neoliberal economic model — namely Chile’s private pension fund — and the constitution.