Jeannette Jara, a former Labor Minister and current presidential hopeful from Chile's Communist Party, has clarified her previous remarks denying that Cuba is a dictatorship. In an appearance on the podcast "Por Qué Tenía Que Decirlo," hosted by José Antonio Neme and Julio César Rodríguez, Jara elaborated that her aim was not to refute Cuba's status as a dictatorship, but rather to describe it as a "different" system. "When I mentioned it as a different political system, I didn't anticipate the fallout it would cause, because my intention wasn't to say it wasn't a dictatorship. But, you know, I learned from it; it's done, I said it, and that was that," she reflected during the show.
Jara emphasized her desire to lead Chile based on a unique Chilean model, distinct from those of other countries: "Not from Argentina, Nicaragua, Cuba, Peru, Ecuador, or Venezuela. In Chile, we need to safeguard our democracy."
She also criticized candidates who normalize and justify Chile's own dictatorship, expressing concern over such attitudes: "I swear, that notion terrifies me. It deeply worries me."
In a prior conversation with CNN, the Communist Party member remarked that "each nation determines its government," in reference to Cuba's dictatorship. Jara stated that "Cuba's case is quite different" from other countries accused of human rights violations, attributing the island's current plight to the longstanding U.S. embargo. "The main issue has been the blockade, which has lasted for decades and is choking them," she asserted.
Jara contrasted Cuba's situation with Venezuela, where she acknowledged an "authoritarian regime" under dictator Nicolás Maduro.
Jara, a lawyer and public administrator, served as Chile's Minister of Labor and Social Welfare from March 2022 until April 7, 2025. She resigned two days after being announced as the Communist Party's presidential candidate.
Her statements quickly sparked reactions. Fellow presidential candidate Carolina Tohá, former Interior Minister and representative of the Party for Democracy (PPD), distanced herself from Jara's views while speaking from Copiapó in an interview with Radio ADN. Tohá highlighted that the Cuban regime has plunged the country into a state of severe poverty, describing it as "painful and inconceivable." She also emphasized that such differences within Chilean progressivism should be openly debated during the campaign.
Clarifications on Chilean Presidential Candidate's Comments on Cuba
What did Jeannette Jara originally say about Cuba's political system?
Jeannette Jara initially described Cuba's political system as "different," and clarified that her intention was not to deny it being a dictatorship.
How does Jara view the situation in Venezuela?
Jara recognizes Venezuela as having an "authoritarian regime" under Nicolás Maduro.
What are Jara's views on Chile's governance model?
Jeannette Jara wants to govern Chile with a model unique to the country, without adopting systems from other nations.
How did Carolina Tohá respond to Jara's comments?
Carolina Tohá distanced herself from Jara's comments, emphasizing that the Cuban regime has led to severe poverty and such issues should be openly debated.