Ask Onix
Far-right leader José Antonio Kast wins Chilean presidency
Chile elected José Antonio Kast, a far-right politician, as its next president on Sunday, marking the country's sharpest political turn to the right since the end of military rule in 1990. Kast secured over 58% of the vote in his third presidential bid, defeating left-wing candidate Jeanette Jara.
Kast's victory speech promises crackdown on crime
Addressing supporters in Santiago, Kast declared his administration would restore order, stating, "Chile will once again be free from crime, free from anguish, free from fear." He vowed to pursue and imprison criminals, adding, "Their lives are going to change."
Supporters, many draped in Chilean flags, celebrated the results. Augustina Trancoso, wearing a "Make Chile Great Again" cap, said, "I'm happy we can recover the country's security and patriotism." Belem Valdivieso, another backer, expressed hope Kast would fulfill his promises, citing recent concerns over rising insecurity.
Campaign focused on security, immigration, and economic policy
Kast framed Chile as a nation in decline, pledging to combat crime and irregular immigration. His proposals include building a border wall with Peru and Bolivia, constructing maximum-security prisons, and deporting undocumented migrants, many from Venezuela. He also plans sharp spending cuts and deregulation to shrink the state.
Critics argue Kast exaggerated security concerns. Javiera Carrasco, who voted for Jara, called the perceived insecurity "false" and noted Chile's murder rate is falling. Studies suggest immigrants commit fewer crimes on average, but Kast's supporters linked immigration to rising crime.
"We are transforming into Colombia, with terrorism, thieves, and robbery. Society is very unsafe,"
Voter Max Struber
Controversial ties to Pinochet era
Kast's victory signals a return to Chile's authoritarian past for some. He has praised former dictator Augusto Pinochet, whose 1973-1990 regime was marked by human rights abuses and forced disappearances. Kast's father was a Nazi party member, and his brother served as a minister under Pinochet.
Ricardo Herrera, who lived through the dictatorship, called it "brutal" and feared Kast's election could revive its legacy. Others, like Hector Lunes, doubted Kast's ability to deliver on promises, such as deporting 360,000 undocumented migrants, calling it "physically impossible."
Economic and social policies spark investor optimism
Kast's free-market agenda, including deregulation and state shrinkage, has been welcomed by investors. However, his opposition to abortion-even in cases of rape-and environmental protections has drawn criticism.
This election was Chile's first with mandatory voting and automatic registration. Some voters, like Claudio Sanjuez, saw Kast as the "change" Chile needed, while others, like Cintia Urrutia, viewed both candidates as "opposite extremes."
Regional shift to the right
Kast's win follows recent rightward shifts in Latin America, including elections in Argentina, Ecuador, and El Salvador. He will be inaugurated on March 11, 2026, and has warned undocumented immigrants to leave before then if they wish to return.
Jara, in a post-result statement, acknowledged the outcome, saying, "Democracy has spoken loud and clear," and wished Kast "success for the good of Chile."
