Vietnamese President’s Bodyguard Expelled from Chile Following Assault Allegation

A member of the security team for Vietnamese President Luong Cuong was ordered to leave Chile after being accused of sexual assault during his official visit. The court chose to expel him rather than press charges, which the victim accepted as a resolution. This incident did not disrupt the diplomatic relations between the two countries.

A member of the security detail for Vietnam’s President Luong Cuong has been expelled from Chile following allegations of sexual assault during the President’s official visit to the country. Cuong arrived in Chile on Saturday, with a summit of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum (APEC) set to take place in Peru shortly thereafter. The accused bodyguard, also Vietnamese, was arrested on Sunday night after the incident was reported to authorities. On Monday afternoon, a Chilean court convened but chose not to pursue formal charges against the bodyguard. Instead, he was ordered to leave Chile immediately and is prohibited from returning for a period of two years. Prosecutor Felix Rojas noted that the resolution was acceptable to the victim, a Chilean citizen, indicating that “alternative solutions” are permissible under Chilean law in specific cases of sexual abuse. Despite the distressing incident, President Cuong’s meeting with Chilean President Gabriel Boric proceeded as planned. Chilean Foreign Minister Alberto van Klaveren remarked that the situation had “not interfered with the relationship between Chile and Vietnam,” and expressed that the Vietnamese Foreign Minister had conveyed apologies for the incident.

This incident reflects the complexities of diplomatic visits and the implications of security personnel conduct on international relations. President Luong Cuong’s visit to Chile was intended as a part of his engagement ahead of the APEC summit, emphasizing bilateral ties between nations. The handling of such allegations underlines the Chilean legal system’s provision for addressing sensitive cases while striving to maintain a positive diplomatic atmosphere, even amidst controversy.

In summary, an incident involving a member of the Vietnamese President’s security detail resulted in his expulsion from Chile following a sexual assault allegation. While the court opted for a swift resolution that did not involve formal prosecution, the diplomatic relationship between Chile and Vietnam remains intact, as reiterated by official statements from both nations.

Original Source: www.barrons.com