Hernán Larraín criticizes Vidal: "Issues are not closed just because he says so"

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SANTIAGO.- Hernán Larraín, president of the UDI (Independent Democratic Union) party, criticized statements made by Government Spokesperson Francisco Vidal yesterday after the minister asserted that "for the government, the matter regarding Patricia Troncoso is closed". In response, Larraín has stated that issues are not closed merely because a minister says so.

Larraín deemed Vidal's words to be part of a "custom of abusing speech", and rejected the idea that the case of "la Chepa" has come to an end.

Larraín also insisted that inmate benefits given to the Mapuche activist could have future consequences. "We should all be protected by the same hand, or else there are unfair precedents which will allow anyone to resort to any means in order to reach a deal", he said on Radio Agricultura.

The UDI leader supported the investigation that has been announced by the party's parliament members to challenge the legality of the agreement reached between the government and Troncoso, who yesterday ended her 112-day hunger strike.