Chile’s Social Development Minister Vega resigns as Boric government faces pressure over Mapuche tensions and political fallout
The presidency of Chile announced on Thursday that it had accepted the resignation of Social Development Minister Jeannette Vega after a telephoned approach from one of the president’s advisers following a leaked conversation. The disclosure comes amid heightened tensions with Mapuche groups and the detention of a prominent indigenous leader in connection with ongoing conflicts in the south. The events unfolded just ahead of a national plebiscite on a proposed new constitution, adding political weight to the ministerial change.
President Gabriel Boric stated during a northern stop that the decision to accept Vega’s resignation was made after careful consideration. Vega, 64, is affiliated with the Social Democratic Party for Democracy (PPD). Her departure marks the Boric administration’s first female ministerial exit since taking office, occurring five months into his tenure and ten days before the plebiscite that will determine whether Chile adopts the proposed constitution.
According to local media outlet Ex-Ante, the Chilean Investigative Police (PDI) provided a briefing on the matter, noting that a ministry official contacted Mapuche leader Hector Llaitul earlier in May to arrange a meeting with Vega. The timing coincided with a morning call from Llaitul, head of Coordinadora Arauco-Malleco (CAM), a radical Mapuche organization active in southern Chile, who publicly urged armed resistance in response to what he described as the militarization of Boric’s territory. The discussion was resolved, and the concerns moved to a political arena rather than a military one.
During the announcement, a government official clarified that the minister would step aside while undersecretary Paula Poblete would assume the post on an interim basis. The president emphasized the importance of accountability and political responsibility in this matter, highlighting that the government would defend the rule of law while addressing the underlying issues at stake.
The resignation follows Vega’s prior public remarks on Mapuche matters. In May, she acknowledged on Chilean television the existence of Mapuche political prisoners within the country, a statement that sparked widespread criticism from various sectors and required a later correction by Vega under mounting scrutiny. The episode underscored the sensitivity of Mapuche-related issues and the delicate balance required in handling them within the government’s broader security and social policies.
Llaitul’s arrest occurred the day before the court ruling on preventive detention was issued. He was detained for alleged offenses including wood theft, extortion, and assault on authority and was transferred to Temuco, the capital of the Araucanía region, about 700 kilometers south of Santiago. The case represents a long-standing struggle in the southern regions over land rights, resource use, and the role of the state in reconciling competing claims.
For decades, the so-called Mapuche conflict has involved clashes between the state, radical indigenous groups, and forestry companies that operate on lands considered ancestral. The region has seen arson attacks, barricades against machinery and property, and periodic violent incidents attributed to various actors, including CAM. The government has repeatedly called for dialogue while maintaining a firm commitment to the rule of law and public safety.
In commenting on the broader situation, Boric urged caution and emphasized that peaceful dialogue should prevail. He reaffirmed the government’s stance that violence has no place in advancing social or political goals and stressed that those who fail to understand this premise should not undermine state institutions. The president also noted the intention to support continuing efforts toward constructive engagement with affected communities and stakeholders as part of ongoing policy reforms.
As Chile navigates these complex tensions, observers in the Americas—including analysts in Canada and the United States—watch closely how the administration handles ministerial changes, indigenous rights, and security concerns ahead of the plebiscite. The evolving story highlights the delicate interplay between internal political dynamics and regional discourse on governance, legitimacy, and reconciliation.