Santiago, Chile – A clinical psychologist who became a potent symbol of the 2019 social unrest is now heading to the Chilean Congress. Gustavo Gatica,27,secured a surprising victory in recent elections,earning the third-highest number of votes nationwide six years after losing his sight to police gunfire during widespread protests [[1]]. As Chile’s political landscape shifts – with a strengthening opposition and a rising far-right presence – Gatica prepares to navigate a complex legislative body while championing issues of social justice and accountability.
Santiago, Chile – At 27 years old, Gustavo Gatica has become one of Chile’s most unexpectedly successful new political figures, securing a seat in Congress with a remarkably high number of votes. His election comes six years after a police officer’s gunfire left him blind during widespread social unrest, transforming a clinical psychologist into a symbol of resilience and a voice for change.
Gatica received the third-highest number of votes nationwide in recent elections, a result he acknowledges comes with entering an institution widely viewed with skepticism. “A friend told me, ‘good luck in that sewer,’” he recalled with a laugh in a recent interview with EFE in Santiago.
Despite the challenges, Gatica intends to pursue “a more dialogic policy” and prioritize active listening. “I would like to apply what I have done for years in clinical psychology: active listening,” he said, confirming he will resign from his work with crime victims in December following his swearing-in next March.
Focus on Improving Lives
Gatica will join a Congress where the opposition nearly holds a majority – 76 of 155 seats – and where the far-right is poised to become the dominant force within the opposition bloc, holding 42 seats. The outcome underscores the shifting political landscape in Chile.
“I was mandated as a deputy to work to improve people’s quality of life,” Gatica stated. “If I have to sit down with someone who doesn’t think the same way politically, I will. That’s what democracy is about.”
However, he drew a firm line regarding potential pardons for former military personnel imprisoned for human rights crimes committed during the dictatorship and for agents convicted of abuses during the massive 2019 protests – the same protests where he lost his sight. Such pardons, he argues, “are outside the bounds of democracy.”
“I will use the tools I have in Congress to prevent that from happening. It sends a signal to society that these things can happen with impunity again, and I find that very serious,” he said.
Mental Health and Security as Priorities
Gatica plans to champion mental health – “I thought it was an issue that only interested young people, but during the campaign I realized it is widespread,” he admitted – and public safety, a major concern for Chilean citizens.
“The state has been in debt in recent years. Moreover, security is an enabling right. To exercise the right to education freely, we first need to feel safe,” he explained.
He was sharply critical of the “tough on crime” rhetoric employed by the right and the “climate of fear” he believes has been fostered by presidential candidate José Antonio Kast. “He is offering the simplest solution, and people find it appealing because they want a solution now, but those solutions are a lie,” Gatica warned.
He urged the opposition to look beyond immediate fixes and analyze the root causes of rising crime, which he attributes to “an unjust system, full of cracks, that promotes inequality.”
Understanding the Roots of the Protests
Gatica also expressed reservations about the current government of Gabriel Boric, stating, “There was a lack of firmness in addressing those cracks.” He offered a self-critique from the left, attempting to explain the gains made by the far-right six years after the protests that shook Chile’s institutions and demanded improvements in education, healthcare, and pensions.
“We made the mistake of thinking people were on the left, and they weren’t. It was more a manifestation of discontent,” he acknowledged. He noted that the protests brought together people from across the political spectrum, including those who wanted to abolish highway tolls and teachers demanding systemic changes to the education system.
That discontent, he believes, has not dissipated. “The outbreak was only a symptom of something much deeper that politics should have addressed, and it didn’t. They tried two constitutional processes, but both failed,” he said.
Gatica’s new role coincides with the final stages of the trial against Claudio Crespo, the former police officer accused of shooting multiple pellets into his face. He expressed optimism about the case, noting that authorities “conducted a very serious investigation.”
“If it ends with a conviction, which is what I hope for, it will also send a signal to society that these things cannot happen in this democracy that we are constantly building and protecting,” he concluded.
