Family of Former Chilean President Salvador Allende Welcomes Closure of Fraud Investigation

The family of former Chilean President Salvador Allende (1970–1973) celebrated on Monday the decision by the criminal court to close the investigation against one of his daughters and a granddaughter over the failed sale of the former president’s house to the State.

“This process has been painful, but as a family we are satisfied because the investigation reaffirms what we have always said: that we committed no crime, that we never received any payment, and that we supported the Government’s project to create the Salvador Allende House Museum,” the family stated in a press release.

Investigation Dropped for Lack of Evidence

On Tuesday, the Regional Prosecutor’s Office of Coquimbo (western Chile) decided not to move forward with the investigation into alleged influence peddling and fraud against the State involving former Defense Minister Maya Fernández, Allende’s granddaughter, and former Senator Isabel Allende, his daughter.

The Public Prosecutor’s Office explained that “there is currently no evidence to support charges against any specific individuals,” though it left open the possibility of reopening the case should new information arise.

Fernández and Allende had been placed under investigation on January 8 after it became known that the Chilean government intended to purchase the former president’s house from his heirs for more than 900 million Chilean pesos, with plans to convert it into a museum.

Because both women held positions connected to President Gabriel Boric’s administration at the time the transaction was being negotiated, they became embroiled in a political scandal. The Chilean Constitution prohibits public officials from entering into contracts of sale with the State, a rule that led to public scrutiny of the proposed deal.

Despite the controversy, the criminal court found no evidence of fraud or influence peddling.

Legal and Political Consequences

Attorney Paula Vial, representing Allende and Fernández, stated that the prosecutor’s decision “confirms that my clients committed no crime and that the family was unjustly exposed, damaging their honor.”

The public and legal controversy ultimately halted the State’s purchase of the property. As a result of the case, Isabel Allende was removed from her Senate seat by the Constitutional Court, while Maya Fernández resigned from her post as Minister of Defense.

Additionally, Minister of National Assets Marcela Sandoval and presidential adviser Bernardita Nazar—who had helped coordinate the failed purchase—also stepped down. Senator Paula Vodanovic withdrew her candidacy for the presidency of the Socialist Party amid the scandal.

Historical Context

Salvador Allende was the world’s first democratically elected socialist president. He governed Chile from 1970 until 1973, when he was overthrown in a military coup led by General Augusto Pinochet, who ruled as dictator until 1990.