José Antonio Kast, a conservative politician, has been inaugurated as the new president of Chile. His victory in the presidential election followed a campaign that focused on public security, immigration control, and economic policies. Kast secured over 58% of the vote in the run-off election, defeating Jeannette Jara of the Communist Party, who garnered approximately 41%. The election marked a significant shift in Chile's political landscape.
Election Outcome and Inauguration
The Chilean presidential election advanced to a run-off after neither candidate achieved an outright majority in the first round. In the final vote, José Antonio Kast emerged as the victor.
His opponent, Jeannette Jara, conceded defeat, stating that "democracy has spoken loud and clear" and wishing Kast "success for the good of Chile."
Outgoing President Gabriel Boric also contacted Kast to offer congratulations. José Antonio Kast was subsequently inaugurated as Chile's president at a ceremony in Valparaíso, concluding President Boric's four-year term.
José Antonio Kast: Presidential Platform and Background
Kast, a 60-year-old conservative lawyer and former congressman, has pursued the presidency on three occasions. He previously lost the 2021 run-off against President Boric. His campaign in this election largely centered on themes of public security, immigration control, and economic growth, while generally avoiding social issues that were prominent in earlier bids.
Key Proposals and Statements by Kast:
- Security: Pledging to restore order and establish new maximum-security prisons.
"Chile will once again be free from crime, free from anguish, free from fear," and "Criminals, delinquents - their lives are going to change. We're going to look for them, find them, judge them and then we're going to lock them up."
He also proposed deploying military personnel for border security and potentially at the border. - Immigration: Advocating for stricter controls, including the construction of a border wall or ditches along Chile's northern borders with Peru and Bolivia. He proposed mass deportations of undocumented migrants and stated that undocumented individuals should depart prior to his inauguration if they wish to retain possibilities for future re-entry.
- Economy: Proposing a reduction in corporation tax and a cut of the public budget by $6 billion within his first 18 months, potentially through dismissals of public employees hired during the previous administration. He also spoke of reducing the size and scope of the state.
Kast has described his administration as an "emergency government," while affirming it would not be "authoritarian." His political career spans over 30 years, serving as a local councilor and congressman. He is described as an ultraconservative Catholic and, during his time in congress, voted against the limited legalization of abortion and divorce legislation.
Kast has openly praised Chile's former right-wing dictator, Augusto Pinochet, and campaigned to maintain Pinochet in power during a 1988 plebiscite. In 2021, he stated that Pinochet would have supported his candidacy. His family background includes his brother's service as a minister during the Pinochet government and his German-born father's historical membership in the Nazi party before immigrating to Chile in 1950.
Jeannette Jara: The Opposition Candidate
Jeannette Jara, 51, was the candidate for the governing coalition's Communist Party. She previously served as an undersecretary in Michelle Bachelet's government and as labor minister under President Gabriel Boric. In her role as labor minister, she led pension reform initiatives, oversaw increases in the national minimum wage, and contributed to reducing the length of the working week. She joined the youth wing of Chile's Communist Party at age 14 and has been a member of its central committee since 2015.
Jara's Campaign Platform Emphasized:
- Economy: A universal core income of approximately $800 per month, funded through gradual minimum-wage increases. Measures to reduce electricity bills and establish state savings contributions to assist individuals aged 25 to 40 in home purchases.
- Other policies: Increasing lithium production, constructing new correctional facilities, and expelling foreign nationals convicted of drug trafficking. She also emphasized the importance of safeguarding democracy.
Key Campaign Issues: Security, Immigration, and Economy
The election campaign was significantly shaped by public concerns over security and immigration.
Immigration Context:
Chile's foreign-born population has expanded, reaching over 1.9 million by December 2023, a 46% increase since 2018. Official estimates indicate approximately 330,000 to 336,000 of these individuals are undocumented, with many originating from Venezuela due to economic instability in their home country.
Kast frequently linked rising crime rates to immigration. However, some studies suggest lower crime rates among foreign-born individuals compared to Chilean nationals, and data indicates Chile's murder rate has decreased since its peak in 2022/2023. Challenges to large-scale deportations exist, as Venezuela does not currently accept deportees from Chile.
Crime and Security:
Public concern about crime has risen across Chile. A 2024 Gallup report ranked Chile sixth globally for fear of walking alone at night. Homicides increased in 2023 but have since shown a decline.
Chile's murder rate of six homicides per 100,000 people in 2023, while triple that of 2015, remains lower than some other Latin American countries. Voters expressed concerns about organized crime, drug trafficking, thefts, and carjackings.
Economic Issues:
Economic stability and cost of living were also central themes, with Jara proposing affordability measures and Kast advocating for tax cuts and budget reductions.
Broader Context and Reactions
Historical Context:
Kast's family ties to the Pinochet era, including his brother's ministerial role and his father's historical Nazi party membership, have been noted.
The Pinochet dictatorship (1973-1990), which began with a US-backed military coup, was characterized by human rights abuses, forced disappearances, torture, and the implementation of free-market economic policies.
Electoral Process:
This election marked the first instance in Chile where all eligible voters were automatically registered, and voting was compulsory.
Regional Trends and International Reactions:
Kast's victory aligns with a broader trend in Latin America where security and migration have become significant electoral themes, and several countries have experienced shifts toward conservative governance.
International reactions included congratulations from U.S. Senator Marco Rubio, who expressed interest in partnering on regional security. Argentine President Javier Milei welcomed Kast's victory, interpreting it as a sign of Latin America moving away from "21st century socialism."
Public and Migrant Perspectives:
Kast's supporters expressed hopes for recovered national security and patriotism. Some voters explicitly desired a continuation of Pinochet's work regarding order, acknowledging past human rights abuses.
Critics and supporters of Jara voiced concerns that Kast's election could signify a return to Chile's far-right past, with some describing Pinochet's rule as "brutal." Some observers expressed skepticism regarding the feasibility of Kast's proposals, particularly the mass deportation of hundreds of thousands of undocumented migrants.
Migrants in Chile, particularly those who entered irregularly, have expressed concerns about potential deportation and a perceived increase in xenophobia.
Businesses reliant on migrant labor also anticipate potential impacts from new immigration policies.