In a case that has shaken Chile’s political establishment and ignited fierce public debate, former Undersecretary of the Interior Manuel Monsalve faces serious allegations of rape and sexual abuse. As the investigation unfolds, the case has exposed tensions at the highest levels of government—raising questions about political loyalty, the presumption of innocence, and the protection of victims.
What is the Monsalve Case?
The Monsalve case refers to the criminal investigation against Manuel Monsalve, Chile’s former Undersecretary of the Interior and a prominent figure in the Socialist Party, who in 2024 was accused by a former subordinate of rape and sexual abuse. The alleged assaults took place in September 2024, and led to Monsalve’s arrest in November of the same year.
Manuel Monsalve, then Undersecretary of the Interior, went out to dinner with a female advisor from his office. They dined at the restaurant Ají Seco Místico in Santiago, where both consumed several pisco sours. Afterward, they returned to the Panamericano Hotel, where Monsalve was staying during the workweek.
The advisor awoke in Monsalve’s hotel room, disoriented and unable to remember how she got there. She noticed bruises on her wrist and forehead. The woman later told prosecutors that she felt something had happened without her consent and that she had no memory of engaging in any sexual activity.
The woman filed a formal criminal complaint for rape and sexual abuse with the Central-North Prosecutor’s Office in Santiago.
Following the public revelation of the complaint, Monsalve resigned from his position as Undersecretary of the Interior. He denied the accusations and said he would face the investigation head-on.
Monsalve was arrested at his home in Viña del Mar by the Chilean Investigative Police (PDI) and taken to Santiago to appear before court. During the arraignment hearing, prosecutors formally charged Monsalve with rape and sexual abuse. They alleged that Monsalve took advantage of the woman’s incapacitated state due to alcohol, arguing that she was in no condition to give consent. The Seventh Criminal Court of Santiago ordered pre-trial detention for Monsalve, stating that his release posed a danger to society. He was transferred to Capitán Yáber prison in Santiago on November 19th.
Legal Earthquake
For six months, Monsalve remained behind bars while the investigation proceeded. His defense team argued that the accusations were inconsistent and lacked evidentiary support, while the alleged victim, represented by attorney María Elena Santibáñez, maintained her testimony and cooperated with prosecutors. The case became politically sensitive due to Monsalve’s visibility and his close ties to President Gabriel Boric and the Socialist Party.
In May 2025, Monsalve’s defense filed a writ of amparo—a constitutional appeal seeking protection of his rights. The Chilean Supreme Court accepted the appeal by a 4-to-1 vote, ruling that his preventive detention was no longer justified. As a result, Monsalve was released from prison and placed under total house arrest at his home in Viña del Mar. The ruling did not close the case, but it sparked immediate political reactions.
In his statement to prosecutors, Monsalve revealed that shortly after the allegations emerged, he met privately with President Boric and told him his version of events. According to Monsalve, the President responded: “I have no reason to doubt what you are telling me.” This comment, once made public, ignited fierce political controversy. Opposition leaders accused the President of covering up for a close ally and of failing to support the victim. Meanwhile, government officials emphasized the importance of letting the judiciary work independently and avoiding political interference in an ongoing legal case.
Repercussions
The official response from the Boric administration and allied political sectors has been more measured. Government figures have largely declined to comment directly on the substance of the case, emphasizing instead the need to respect the autonomy of the judiciary.
Carolina Tohá, a former Interior Minister and now presidential candidate for the center-left coalition, stated: “What matters is that the case is investigated, that responsibilities are determined, and that all is done with transparency and speed, regardless of who is involved.”
Socialist Party President Paulina Vodanovic stressed that “ongoing investigations should not be publicly commented on by people in institutional roles.”
Communist Party leader and former Labor Minister Jeannette Jara added: “This matter is in the hands of the justice system. I hope the truth is established, that those responsible are held accountable, and that this serves as a lesson for preventing future abuses.”
The Release from Capitán Yaber
Monsalve’s release from Capitán Yáber was marked by conflicting emotions. In a brief statement, visibly moved, he declared: “These have been painful, complex months.” While reiterating his innocence, he acknowledged the importance of thoroughly investigating all allegations of abuse.
Observers noted his emotional reaction upon reuniting with his family, with witnesses describing him as “visibly affected.” Still, moments before his release, he had appeared “calm” and even “content,” according to El Mercurio, suggesting a complex personal and political reckoning in motion.
Despite his release, the case is far from closed. The Public Prosecutor’s Office and the plaintiff’s attorney have both expressed disagreement with the Supreme Court’s ruling. Prosecutor advisor Nicolás Calvo emphasized that “neither the existence of the crime nor the defendant’s involvement has been questioned.” The complainant’s attorney, María Elena Santibáñez, respectfully dissented from the ruling, maintaining that the legal arguments supporting preventive detention still stand.
Gonzalo Eduardo Díaz Ponce is an English professor and licensed educator with a bachelor’s degree in Legal and Social Sciences. He teaches at Universidad Central de Chile.
