Chilean Congress Approves Probe Into Cerimedo’s Possible Ties to Kast’s Circle

Chile’s Chamber of Deputies has approved an investigation into possible links between Argentine digital strategist Fernando Cerimedo and the political circle of President José Antonio Kast. The commission will also examine the use of bots and other digital tools to manipulate political campaigns.

The proposal passed with 69 votes in favor, 43 against and one abstention, after lawmakers rejected it the previous day for lack of a quorum. The commission has 60 days to prepare a report on the knowledge, detection and use of bots and other forms of digital manipulation from 2020 onward.

Deputy José Montalva, who is close to the Party for Democracy and promoted the proposal, welcomed its approval. He said it showed that institutions were functioning, but criticized the right for voting against the commission or refusing to support it as a bloc. Montalva said, "The approval of the commission is very good because it shows that institutions are functioning, but on the other hand we are concerned that an entire sector, the right, did not vote or simply voted against this commission."

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The approval of the commission is very good because it shows that institutions are functioning, but on the other hand we are concerned that an entire sector, the right, did not vote or simply voted against this commission.

Government-aligned UDI lawmaker Eduardo Crettón said his side would not support the inquiry because, in his view, the left was trying to portray fake news and bots as the property of only one political camp. He said, "When Cerimedo came to Chile, the people who may have had a relationship with him still did not know the monster he was going to become."

The allegations are not new. During the 2025 presidential campaign, lawmakers reported what they called coordinated disinformation networks to prosecutors, citing possible computer crimes and criminal association linked to harassment and manipulation of public debate. Cerimedo has worked as a communications strategist for Latin American right-wing politicians, including Argentina’s Javier Milei, Brazil’s Jair Bolsonaro, Bolivia’s Rodrigo Paz and Honduras’ Nasry Asfura. Reports surrounding his detention in Bolivia for attempted femicide described alleged bot farms used to attack political opponents. Kast said on Monday that he had never worked with Cerimedo on his campaigns or currently.

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When Cerimedo came to Chile, the people who may have had a relationship with him still did not know the monster he was going to become.