Libertarians seek pardons but distance themselves from Urrutia, saying they won't engage in political extortion

Chilean libertarian politicians have distanced themselves from a proposal to link support for a major security reform bill to government action on pardons for uniformed officers. The controversy erupted after Senator Ignacio Urrutia, representing the Republican Party, suggested his backing for the reform was contingent on the government advancing a pardon law for military and police personnel convicted for actions during the 2019 social unrest.

The National Libertarian Party (PNL) strongly criticized Urrutia's stance, labeling it as "political extortion." The party emphasized that they would not engage in such tactics. This position has generated reservations within the ruling coalition, which is seeking broad support for the security reform package amidst ongoing public safety concerns.

The debate highlights a division within the right-wing bloc regarding the approach to security and justice. While some advocate for leniency towards security forces, others, like the PNL, seek to maintain a more pragmatic approach to legislative negotiations, prioritizing the security reform itself over conditional demands.