The Chilean government Monday urged the opposition to stop criticizing recovery efforts as the nation prepares to mark the first anniversary of last year's megaquake.
"This is a moment when we all should be working together and thinking about the respect that the earthquake's victims deserve," said government spokeswoman Ena von Baer.
"It is sad that some representatives (of political groups) want to transform the reconstruction into a political battlefield."
She called on the opposition "to join the commemoration events, because these are moments that belong to all the Chileans," adding that it is the time to think and work together to reconstruct Chile.
The opposition has been strongly criticizing President Sebastian Pinera's government for lack of transparency in the reconstruction process.
A magnitude-8.8 earthquake and ensuing tsunami ravaged Chile on Feb. 27, 2010, leaving 523 people dead, 25 others missing and some 800,000 more homeless.