Santiago (EFE).- The Chilean Minister of National Defense, Maya Fernández, resigned on Monday amid the controversy over the failed purchase by the government of the house of her grandfather, ousted President Salvador Allende (1970-1973).
The government of Chilean President Gabriel Boric announced in late 2024 the purchase of Allende’s residence for 933 million Chilean pesos (about 940,000 dollars at today’s exchange rate), with the aim of turning it into a museum.
Located at 392 Guardia Vieja Street, in the capital’s Providencia neighborhood, the house is owned by Allende’s heirs, among them the former minister and Socialist senator Isabel Allende, one of his daughters.
The government paused the acquisition of the property and asked for the resignation on Jan. 6 of the then Minister of Public Property Marcela Sandoval, following the criticism.
Allende’s resignation came at the same time that the right-wing and ultra-right opposition filed an impeachment in Parliament, in an attempt to remove her from office and disqualify her from holding public office.
“She committed a serious offense against the Constitution and the laws. No minister of state can enter into contracts with the state and the minister did so,” said Congresswoman Camila Flores, of the opposition Chile Vamos coalition, in a press conference.
Allende became in March 2022 the third woman to lead the Chilean Armed Forces and the second Socialist, after former President Michelle Bachelet, who took office in 2002.
“The President is grateful for the commitment and work carried out by Maya Fernández,” said the Chilean Presidency in a statement, naming Socialist Adriana Delpiano as the new minister. EFE
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