Chile Elects Conservative President Amid Focus on Security and Immigration
Chilean voters have elected José Antonio Kast, a conservative candidate, as the nation's next president. The election outcome followed public discourse centered on security, immigration, and crime.
José Antonio Kast's Background and Platform
Kast's political stance is conservative. He has acknowledged General Augusto Pinochet, whose 17-year military rule followed a US-backed coup and included reported instances of torture, disappearances, and censorship. Kast's father was a member of the Nazi Party, and his brother served as a minister under Pinochet. Some of Kast's supporters have stated that the Pinochet era was more peaceful.
In his first address as president-elect, Kast affirmed that his commitment to lead an "emergency government" would not involve "authoritarianism."
Regional Political Landscape
Chile's election represents a shift from left to right, aligning with trends observed in other Latin American nations such as Argentina, Bolivia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, and Panama. Upcoming elections in Peru, Colombia, and Brazil are anticipated in the next year. Factors influencing these regional shifts have included inflation and economic crises in some countries, as well as challenges faced by certain leftist governments.
In Chile, immigration and crime emerged as prominent issues during the election campaign.
Immigration Data and Public Concerns
Kast's proposed policies included the construction of a border wall and mass deportations for undocumented migrants. He stated that individuals without documentation should depart prior to his inauguration if they wished to retain the possibility of future re-entry.
Chile's foreign-born population increased by 46% between 2018 and 2023, reaching nearly two million non-nationals. An estimated 336,000 undocumented migrants reside in Chile, with many originating from Venezuela.
JeremÃas Alonso, a Kast supporter, commented that Chile was unprepared for the scale of recent immigration and expressed that undocumented migrants place a strain on public services. Alonso also indicated that his working-class neighborhood has experienced social changes attributed to irregular immigration, including crime and drug addiction.
Crime and Policy Implementation
Kast has linked rising crime rates to immigration. However, data indicates that the number of murders in Chile has decreased since its peak in 2022, and some studies suggest that migrants commit fewer crimes on average.
Many voters have identified organized crime, drug trafficking, thefts, and carjackings as factors contributing to concerns about security. Kast's post-election message emphasized welcoming migrants who comply with laws, incarcerating criminals, and restoring order.
He is expected to implement measures such as deploying military personnel to the border. Challenges to large-scale deportations exist; for example, Venezuela does not currently accept deportees from Chile, which has limited past deportation efforts.
Migrant Experiences and Economic Impact
Gabriel Funez, a Venezuelan waiter in Chile who entered irregularly and is awaiting visa processing, described his status as "basically a ghost." He reported experiencing increased xenophobia and recounted an incident where diners discussed migrants negatively in his presence. Approximately 90% of the staff at Funez's restaurant are migrants.
Carlos Alberto Cossio, a Bolivian national operating a business in Chile, emphasized the reliance of his enterprise on migrant workers.