José Antonio Kast has been elected as Chile's next president following a campaign focused on security, immigration, and crime. In his third attempt at the presidency, Kast secured over 58% of the vote, defeating Jeanette Jara, the candidate of the governing left-wing coalition. This outcome represents a notable shift to the right in Chilean politics since the end of the military dictatorship in 1990.
Candidate Profiles and Campaign Themes
Kast has publicly praised Augusto Pinochet, Chile's former right-wing dictator. In his first speech as president-elect, Kast stated, "Chile will once again be free from crime, free from anguish, free from fear." He further added, "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."
Throughout his campaign, Kast characterized Chile as experiencing a decline in order and security. He proposed policies to restore order, control irregular immigration, and implement significant spending cuts. Kast has expressed admiration for Donald Trump, and his proposed policies, such as a border wall on Chile's frontier with Peru and Bolivia, the construction of maximum-security prisons, and mass deportations of irregular migrants (many from Venezuela), share similarities with those of the former US president.
Public Perception and Concerns
Chile has historically been recognized for its relative stability in South America. However, recent years have seen an increase in immigration and organized crime, which has become a concern for a segment of the electorate. Kast frequently linked these two issues.
Conversely, critics argue that the extent of these problems is being overstated. One voter in Santiago, Javiera Carrasco, stated she perceived "a false sense of insecurity... becoming widespread," noting that "In other countries, there are much worse things happening than here. It just doesn't add up for me." Data indicates that Chile's murder rate is currently decreasing, and some studies suggest that individuals born abroad commit fewer crimes on average. Nevertheless, the perception of increasing insecurity motivated many of Kast's voters.
Historical Context
Kast's brother served as a minister during Pinochet's dictatorship, and his father was a member of the Nazi party. Augusto Pinochet, an army general, led a US-backed military coup in 1973, establishing a 17-year military dictatorship. This period was characterized by human rights abuses, forced disappearances, and the implementation of free-market economic policies.
Political Reactions and Future Outlook
Jeannette Jara, the defeated candidate, conceded the election, stating that "democracy has spoken loud and clear" and wishing Kast "success for the good of Chile." She added, "We will continue working to advance a better life in our country."
Supporters of Jara have expressed concerns that Kast's election could signify a return to Chile's far-right past. Ricardo Herrera, a voter who lived through Pinochet's rule, described it as "brutal." Some individuals have also expressed skepticism regarding Kast's ability to implement all his pledges. For example, Hector Lunes commented, "Kast says he wants to expel 360,000 undocumented migrants. He won't be able to do that. It's physically impossible."
President Gabriel Boric, who was not eligible for re-election, had low approval ratings prior to the election. Some voters perceived Jara, representing the governing left-wing coalition, as a 'continuity vote', which may have impacted her electoral performance.