Chilean Presidential Candidate Cuts Off Radio Interview Amidst Heated Debate on Pardons for Human Rights Abusers
A contentious radio interview with Johannes Kaiser, leader of the National Libertarian Party, ended abruptly Monday after a sharp exchange with journalists Claudia Álamo and Constance Santa Maria over potential pardons for individuals convicted of crimes against humanity.
The interview, conducted on Radio Tarifa, centered on recent statements made by José Antonio Kast regarding prisoners accused of human rights violations. The discussion was sparked by comments from Jeannette Jara suggesting Kast might be open to pardoning former military official Miguel Krassnoff.
Álamo initiated the questioning, asking Kaiser whether he believed Kast had clearly articulated his position on Krassnoff. “I want to bring you to a very specific topic. Yesterday they asked José Antonio Kast… I don’t know if you consider that he was clear about the position he would take if he became president with the figure of Miguel Krassnoff,” she stated.
Kaiser responded by framing the issue as a broader concern about revisiting the past. “My issue with the pardons, which you raised for the rest, is that we cannot continue with the issue of open ’73 to benefit a political sector that bears a lot of responsibility for the institutional breakdown with the human rights violations that were also committed from that sector. That was my theme,” he explained.
The conversation quickly escalated when Kaiser accused Jara of attempting to make the issue central to the upcoming election. “What happens is that Mrs. Jara wants to make this issue the issue of the second round. And the issue of the second round is whether or not the communist party that advocates the destruction of an entire social class, that adheres to tyrannies, to which Mrs. Jara belongs, is a viable option for our country if we want to continue walking in the direction of development,” he added.
Santa Maria pressed Kaiser for a direct answer regarding pardons, specifically for individuals like Krassnoff. “But regardless of what the issue is, the question is on the table and it would be good for him to answer it. The question is whether to close that stage that you say, it is necessary to pardon convicted people like Krasnoff.”
The exchange then devolved into a heated argument. Kaiser asserted that those who “restore order” should not be subject to continued prosecution. Álamo challenged this statement, pointing out that Krassnoff’s case was not simply “anyone.” Kaiser then claimed that human rights advocacy in Chile had been weaponized. “Human Rights in Chile have become a tool to destroy public forces and they have done so for decades. There are cases and cases everywhere.”
Álamo attempted to interject, but Kaiser continued, accusing his interviewers of double standards and suggesting they prioritized the victims of one side over another. “No, what happens is that you have double standards. It seems that the dead on one side are worth more than the other.”
Álamo countered, stating she was focused on establishing “a historical truth,” to which Kaiser retorted, “No, you do not have the right to historical truth. You cannot say what is true and what is a lie.” Álamo challenged this assertion, prompting Kaiser to claim multiple interpretations of historical events existed. “No, I am suggesting that here there is more than one description of what happened (in ’73). You can’t come and say what happened. One sector does not determine what happened in Chile, which today is a minority sector.”
The discussion turned particularly tense when Álamo reminded Kaiser that Miguel Krassnoff had been sentenced to one thousand years in prison for crimes of rape and torture. Santa Maria then attempted to steer the conversation back to the core issue of historical truth, but Kaiser accused the journalists of bias. “Johannes Kaiser, beyond the fact that you relativize the historical truth…” Santa Maria began, before being interrupted.
Kaiser then questioned the journalists’ coverage of missing detainees, accusing them of participating in the election campaign. “How many times have you reported on the issue of missing detainees in the SML? Who have you asked?”
Santa Maria vehemently denied the accusation. “No, you are debating with me and you are participating in the campaign.” Kaiser dismissed her response, stating, “It is not noticeable.” He then abruptly ended the interview, saying, “See you later, thank you very much.”
Álamo reported that Kaiser had “cut off the phone, cut off communication, he made the decision to interrupt it.” The incident underscores the deep divisions within Chilean society regarding accountability for past human rights abuses and the ongoing debate over how to reconcile with a fraught historical legacy.
