Chilean Prosecution Investigates Cerimedo for Alleged Electoral Interference with Bots
Chile's Prosecution Service opened a criminal case against Argentine political adviser Fernando Cerimedo over alleged use of coordinated bot networks in Chilean elections.
Chile Opens Criminal Case Against Cerimedo for Alleged Electoral Manipulation with Bot Networks
The North-Centre Metropolitan Prosecution of Chile initiated a formal criminal investigation against Argentine political adviser Fernando Cerimedo, according to reporting by El Deber. The case seeks to determine whether Cerimedo intervened in Chilean electoral processes through the coordinated use of social media accounts known as "bot farms".
The resolution was signed on Thursday by Regional Prosecutor Francisco Jacir, who delegated the inquiry to Santiago Centre Local Prosecutor Macarena Cañas.
Parliamentary Complaint as Starting Point
The process was activated following a complaint filed by socialist deputy Juan Santana Castillo, who requested the Public Ministry to investigate Cerimedo's activities on Chilean territory, identify possible offences, and establish responsibilities.
Among the background information provided by Santana is the suspicion of the existence of a coordinated network of social media accounts intended to influence political debate in the country. The parliamentarian also included information about Numen, a company linked to Cerimedo's circle, and recalled that firm's participation in Chile's 2020 constitutional plebiscite, as well as the subsequent creation of Numen SpA in Chile.
That company was established by lawyer Enrique García, who appears publicly alongside Cerimedo and Argentine politician Franco Parisi. García also served on the Technical Admissibility Committee during Chile's second constitutional process.
X Accounts and the Neuroc Profile
The complaint also identifies various accounts on social network X that allegedly operated in a coordinated manner to attack or position content about certain political figures. Among them is the profile identified as Neuroc, behind which—according to journalistic sources included in the filing—was a person who acknowledged having contact with a social media manager linked to the then presidential candidacy of José Antonio Kast.
The complaint itself clarifies that it falls to the Public Ministry to verify the veracity, scope, and potential criminal relevance of that background information.
The Legal Challenge: Do Electoral Bots Constitute a Crime?
The investigation does not begin from a conclusion about the commission of offences, but rather from the need to determine whether the conduct complained of has criminal relevance. One of the main challenges for investigators will be to establish whether a massive and coordinated operation of automated accounts intended to influence electoral processes can be classified under any criminal offence provided for in Chilean legislation.
The inquiry will encompass background information related to constitutional processes and the presidential election that resulted in Kast reaching La Moneda.
The opening of the case occurred following several days of internal analysis. Initially, the background information was reviewed by advisers of the Specialised Unit in Economic Crimes, Environmental Crimes, Cybercrimes and Money Laundering (Ulddeco) of the National Prosecution, before being referred to the North-Centre Metropolitan Prosecution.
Cerimedo, Detained in Bolivia
The interest of Chilean authorities intensified following Cerimedo's detention in Bolivia, where he remains held in Palmasola prison. There he faces an investigation into an armed attack against his ex-partner and a separate process for alleged illicit enrichment.
Added to this is background information provided by Bolivian investigators about the alleged existence of "mini bot farms" in properties linked to the adviser, as well as his trips to Chile on various occasions that allegedly coincided with electoral days, according to Chilean media.
Cerimedo, 45, is known as a consultant and political strategist for right-wing and far-right leaders in Latin America. He is the founder of the news portal La Derecha Diario and heads the political marketing agency Numen.
The Chilean Public Ministry must now determine what proceedings are appropriate to establish whether the reported activities actually took place, who participated, and whether those facts constitute any crime on Chilean territory. Any criminal responsibility must be determined by the courts based on the evidence gathered during the process.
Source: El Deber