Government defends 19-year-old student’s “professionalism” and will adjust his salary after controversy

The Chilean government is defending the “professionalism” of a 19-year-old journalism student hired by the Interior Ministry, while acknowledging that his salary will be adjusted after the controversy.

Cristóbal Soto, who is studying journalism, received a remuneration of 1.9 million pesos. The appointment drew questions during a press briefing at La Moneda, where Interior Undersecretary Máximo Pavez addressed the issue.

Pavez defended Soto’s professionalism as authorities faced scrutiny over the hiring of a first-year university student. The government said the salary would be changed in response to the controversy.