Though Poder Joven was never bigger than about 300 people, it had a strong presence in Chile. The movement was not looked upon kindly by the rest of society. Both communist and right-wing media criticised Poder Joven heavily. Communist newspaper "El Siglo" highlighted that the movement came from the "wealthy neighborhoods" and suggested ties with fascism, while the right-wing newspaper "El Mercurio" suggested ties with the radical MIR. Both however attacked Poder Joven for supposed immoral behaviour, with "El Siglo" conflating them with hippies and "El Mercurio" saying its principles "fly in the face of all moral, religious, and social norms." Poder Joven members also faced harassment and threats from a group of young people called the Parra Ramona Brigade.