Original article: Ciencia en crisis: Lincolao suma tercera ausencia y vuelve a dejar sin respuestas a la Cámara Minister Lincolao Faces Third Absence, Leaving Congress with Unanswered Questions Amidst Scientific Crisis The Minister of Science, Technology, Knowledge, and Innovation, Ximena Lincolao, has recorded her third absence before the Chamber of Deputies’ Scientific Committee, missing a special session this Wednesday where she was scheduled to appear alongside former Undersecretary Rafael Araos. This absence was communicated via email while the minister utilized administrative leave to travel to the United States to visit family, sparking a new political controversy at a critical time for the ministry, which has been shaken by mass layoffs, resignations, internal tensions, and a lack of transparency regarding unrecorded meetings and omitted associations. This situation unfolds amid a challenging period for President José Antonio Kast’s administration, which has just conducted its first cabinet reshuffle, resulting in the departure of Trinidad Steinert and Mara Sedini from the Ministry of Public Security and the General Secretariat of Government, respectively.
Lincolao’s absence from the committee has drawn widespread criticism. Deputy Daniel Manouchehri (PS), chair of the committee, expressed disappointment that the minister prioritized personal commitments over her legislative duty. «It is important for institutions to function and for ministers to collaborate with Congress.
We hope to agree on a date when the minister does not have a family meeting so she can come,» he stated. Meanwhile, Deputy Daniela Serrano (PC), leader of the communist bench and advocate for the summons, noted that representatives from the National Association of Fiscal Employees (ANEF) attended to express the significant concerns of employees from the Ministry of Science. «The answers are still pending,» she concluded.
The session aimed to address at least three pressing issues currently troubling the ministry: the abrupt departure of Rafael Araos, accusations of a systematic layoff plan—confirmed by the former undersecretary himself—and questions regarding meetings with representatives from Google and Meta that were not initially recorded on the Lobby Law platform. Deputy Gonzalo Winter (FA) emphasized the seriousness of it being the third time the minister has evaded a summons from the parliamentary committee. «Science and technology can make the difference between a developing country and one that does not progress.
For that, the very least a minister can do is attend committee meetings,» he remarked in statements reported by Bio Bío Chile. In a similar vein, Patricio Briones (PDG) warned that this behavior will inevitably have consequences: «It will definitely have repercussions for her management,» he pointed out. The timing of her trip has also raised eyebrows.
Socialist Senator Gastón Saavedra criticized the use of leave just as Kast’s administration needed to reorganize its cabinet amidst criticism for lack of preparation and improvisation. «There is extreme weakness because there are crises, redesigns, and situations that are detrimental to the country, like the case of dual ministers. « Lincolao: “I Must Adapt to Chilean Culture” Thus, Lincolao’s third absence merely adds another chapter to the escalating crisis within the Science ministry that has been mounting since she took charge on March 11.
Since then, her leadership style has strayed far from the obligations of adherence to rules, procedures, transparency, and traceability that the position demands. To justify her actions, Lincolao recently stated in an interview with T13 Radio: «I must adapt to Chilean culture. » The committee will need to set a new date to attempt, once again, to extract explanations from a minister who has admitted to being «surprised» by how the Chilean state operates, including its rules and procedures.