Cristian Vargas, a former deputy legal director of Chile’s Internal Revenue Service (SII), details alleged undue influence in political financing cases involving companies Penta and SQM in his new book, *Impunity*. Vargas led the SII investigations into these major illegal financing scandals, becoming a target of pressure to halt the proceedings. He asserts a powerful, clandestine network operates within Chile, effectively undermining democratic institutions. Vargas describes this “shadow institutionalism” as existing outside formal structures, manifesting in backroom deals, strategic appointments, and suppressed legal challenges. He links patterns of illicit funds in politics to the recent “Caso Hermosilla” scandal, suggesting systemic issues. Vargas characterizes Chile as a “weakened democracy” susceptible to manipulation by economic and political forces.