Mónica Arce
Mónica Arce | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Chamber of Deputies of Chile | |
| In office 11 March 2022 – 11 March 2026 | |
| Constituency | District 12 |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 2 March 1986 Santiago, Chile |
| Political party | Independent |
| Children | Three |
| Parent(s) | Sergio Arce María Castro |
| Occupation | Politician |
Mónica Tamara Arce Castro (born 2 March 1986) is a Chilean politician who serves as deputy.[1][2][3] Since 11 March 2022, she has served as a member of the Chamber of Deputies representing the District 12 (La Florida, La Pintana, Pirque, Puente Alto, San José de Maipo).
Initially elected as an independent under the Humanist Party quota in the Apruebo Dignidad alliance, she currently aligns with the Party for Democracy (PPD) and independents in the lower chamber.[4][5]
Biography
Mónica Arce was born on 2 March 1986 in Santiago to Sergio Enrique Arce Álvarez and María Teresa Castro Carranza. She completed her secondary studies at the Colegio de Adultos Manuel Bulnes in 2004 and obtained a degree in Logistics Engineering from the Instituto Profesional Cámara de Comercio de Santiago.[6]
Before entering politics, she worked in logistics and co‑founded the Fundación Alma Libre, an organization that supports trans children and their families.[6]
Political career
Arce was elected in the 2021 Chilean general election as a Deputy for the 2022–2026 legislative period, securing her seat with just over 1 % of the vote. She ran as an independent on the Humanist Party quota, within the Dignidad Ahora pact.[4]
Since taking office, she has served on the permanent commissions for Education and Family, presiding over the Education commission during part of her term.[4] Additionally, she has participated in investigative commissions, including those addressing the San Ramón school infrastructure collapse, irregularities at the Medical Legal Service, and the implementation of the national public education framework.[4]
Political positions & legislative work
A firm advocate of LGBT+ and trans rights, Arce condemned a 2024 Televisión Nacional de Chile (TVN) report on trans children, calling it “clearly conservative and insensitive".[6] In November of the same year, she criticized a report by a congressional commission that recommended suspending the “Chile Crece con Orgullo” program, stating that it “hides transphobia behind pseudo-evidence.”[7]
In March 2025, she was referred to the Chamber’s Ethics Commission after missing a mandatory drug test. Arce argued her absence was due to her participation at the 69th session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women in New York.[5][4]
In July 2025, Arce announced legal action under the Ley Karin against the Undersecretary of Higher Education, citing political harassment for pressure she received during a controversial vote on teacher training reforms.[8]
References
- ^ "Mónica Arce, Diputada: Uno de mis hijes es trans, estos niñes saben lo que quieren". La Voz de los que Sobran. 21 October 2022. Retrieved 12 February 2025.
- ^ "Arce: ¡Exijo al gobierno que no presente estas propuestas engañosas!". Sin filtros. 30 October 2024. Retrieved 12 February 2025.
- ^ "Diputada Mónica Arce urge al Congreso a actuar rápidamente contra la violencia digital: 'Estamos perdiendo tiempo valioso'". G5 Noticias. 8 July 2024. Retrieved 12 February 2025.
- ^ a b c d e "Diputada Mónica Arce Castro – Camara de Diputados de Chile" (in Spanish). Retrieved 9 July 2025.
- ^ a b "Por faltar a test de drogas: diputada Mónica Arce se salta examen y termina en Comisión de Ética" (in Spanish). BioBioChile. 11 March 2025. Retrieved 9 July 2025.
- ^ a b c "Mónica Arce condena reportaje de TVN sobre infancias Trans" (in Spanish). Página 19. 10 August 2024. Retrieved 9 July 2025.
- ^ ""Esconden la transfobia detrás de su pseudo evidencia": diputada Arce arremete contra informe de Comisión Especial" (in Spanish). G5 Noticias. 19 November 2024. Retrieved 9 July 2025.
- ^ "Diputada Mónica Arce denunciará por Ley Karin al subsecretario de Educación Superior". Emol. 3 July 2025. Retrieved 9 July 2025.