ECNETNews, NEW YORK, NY, Tues. Sept. 10, 2024: Daniel Jadue, the former mayor of Recoleta in Santiago, Chile, has returned to his home following 91 days in captivity at the Capitán Yáber prison annex. Despite appearing fatigued, Jadue welcomed guests with characteristic warmth and offered a spread of grape leaves and traditional Arab dishes reflective of his Palestinian heritage. His living room is adorned with symbols of the Palestinian struggle, as well as memories of the Popular Unity government led by Salvador Allende from 1970 to 1973.
September 4 marked the anniversary of Allende’s coalition winning the 1970 election, serving as a poignant reminder of the political evolution in Chile, notably the dictatorship from 1973 to 1990 led by General Augusto Pinochet. While Jadue is currently under house arrest, he expressed gratitude for his return home and remarked on his time in detention, mentioning that he utilized the opportunity to read extensively, including texts like the Upanishads. He reflected on the ancient Sanskrit phrase, Sarve jana sukhino bhavantu—”Let the people of the world be happy.”
Preventative Detention
On June 3, Judge Paulina Moya ruled for Jadue’s preventative detention for 120 days amid allegations related to the “People’s Pharmacy Case” (Caso Farmacias Populares). This investigation began in 2021 after a complaint from Best Quality Products, which claimed it was owed money for supplies provided to the Chilean Association of Municipalities with Popular Pharmacies (Achifarp). An appeal process followed, but in 2022, Best Quality resumed deliveries, acknowledging the vital social role of these pharmacies.
Jadue’s imprisonment resulted not from a conviction, but from ongoing investigations into his conduct as mayor amid charges including tax fraud and misuse of office. Judge Moya asserted that his release posed a potential threat to public safety, based on a hypothetical assessment of his actions rather than concrete evidence. In response, Jadue stated that he was facing judgment for his public service roles rather than any personal wrongdoing, claiming his integrity: “there is not a penny in my pocket.” Nonetheless, the court imposed the maximum preventative detention duration upon him.
People Before Profit
First elected as Recoleta’s mayor in 2012, Jadue won re-election three additional times and garnered 40 percent of the vote in the 2021 presidential primary. His consistent public support stems from his commitment to rejuvenating public services in a country where neoliberal policies have profoundly impacted healthcare and education, leaving the sector largely in private hands. Notably, three pharmaceutical corporations dominate the Chilean market, often penalized for collusion and price-fixing, resulting in soaring drug prices that burden consumers.
In an early interview, Jadue detailed his initiatives in Recoleta, including establishing the Jatu Newen cooperative cleaning service, a “People’s Real Estate Agency” to combat homelessness, and creating the Open University of Recoleta to offer education to low-income students. He also initiated a popular pharmacy to provide affordable medications, later expanding the project to other essential services. The overarching goal of these efforts has been to prioritize community needs over profit.
Jadue’s decision to run for president in 2021 was fueled by a desire to merge the aspirations of Chilean citizens with the practical success of the Recoleta model, rejecting prevailing neoliberal frameworks. “This is my hope,” he previously stated. “We have shown that in a small-scale way in Recoleta. It was in Chile that neoliberalism was born. We must bury it in Chile.”
Punished for Disobedience
“I am being punished not for any crime that I committed,” said Jadue on September 4, 2024. “I am being punished for being disobedient, for being against the neoliberal consensus in Chile.” The pharmacy initiative he championed has since inspired approximately 190 municipalities to adopt similar programs, creating pressure on political dynamics across the spectrum, including the hard right. Former president Sebastián Piñera had to draft legislation aimed at regulating pharmaceutical practices in response to this growing movement.
Upon his release from custody, Jadue’s removal from his position as mayor, replaced by fellow Communist Party member Fares Jadue, prompted a reassessment of his detention. Judge Paula Brito subsequently acknowledged the unjust nature of his 91-day incarceration, calling into question the initial decision.
Although his legal battle continues, Jadue remains resolute. “I want to fight the case,” he affirmed. “I will be vindicated. The project of popular pharmacies will be vindicated. We will not allow them to punish us because we disobeyed the neoliberal consensus.”
