José Antonio Kast Wins Chilean Presidential Election
José Antonio Kast has been elected as the next president of Chile, securing over 58% of the vote in his third attempt for the presidency. He defeated Jeanette Jara, the candidate from the governing left-wing coalition. This election represents a significant shift in Chile's political landscape, marking the most substantial move to the right since the end of the country's military dictatorship in 1990. Kast is scheduled to be inaugurated as president in March next year.
Kast has previously expressed praise for Chile's former right-wing dictator, Augusto Pinochet. In his acceptance speech, 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."
Campaign Focus and Pledges
Kast's campaign centered on themes of security, immigration, and crime. He presented Chile as a nation experiencing increased instability and pledged to restore order, implement stricter controls on irregular immigration, and introduce spending cuts. His proposals include constructing a border wall along Chile's borders with Peru and Bolivia, establishing maximum-security prisons, and carrying out mass deportations of irregular migrants, many of whom originate from Venezuela. His political positions and proposals share similarities with those of former US President Donald Trump.
Voter Concerns and Perspectives
While Chile has historically been one of South America's more stable countries, recent years have seen an increase in immigration and organized crime, which has become a concern for a segment of the electorate. Kast frequently connected these two issues during his campaign.
However, some critics argue that the extent of these problems is being exaggerated. For instance, voter Javiera Carrasco stated her perception that "a false sense of insecurity is 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 increased insecurity was a motivating factor for many of Kast's voters. Voter Max Struber commented, "We are transforming into Colombia, a lot of terrorism, thieves, robbery, society is very unsafe." He added, "It may sound harsh to say it, but we need the government to continue Pinochet's work. Human rights abuses existed, that's true. But as a government it was good, we used to have peace and tranquility."
Historical Context
Kast's background includes family ties to the Pinochet era; his brother served as a minister during the dictatorship, and his father was a member of the Nazi party. Augusto Pinochet, an army general, led a US-backed military coup in 1973 and established a 17-year military dictatorship characterized by human rights abuses, forced disappearances, and the implementation of free-market economic policies.
Political Reactions
Outgoing President Gabriel Boric, who was not eligible for re-election, had low approval ratings. Jeannette Jara's candidacy was perceived by some as a "continuity vote" of the existing administration. Francisco Otero, a supporter of Kast, commented that while neither candidate perfectly represented everyone, a continuation of the previous government was viewed as "much worse."
Following the election results, Jara acknowledged that "democracy has spoken loud and clear" and extended wishes for Kast's "success for the good of Chile," affirming her party's commitment to "continue working to advance a better life in our country." Conversely, supporters of Jara have voiced concerns that Kast's election could signify a return to Chile's far-right past. Ricardo Herrera, who experienced Pinochet's rule, described it as "brutal."
Some observers remain skeptical about the feasibility of Kast's campaign promises. Voter Hector Lunes, for example, questioned the practicality of expelling 360,000 undocumented migrants, stating, "He won't be able to do that. It's physically impossible."