José Antonio Kast Wins Chile's Presidential Election with Over 58% of the Vote
José Antonio Kast has won Chile's presidential election with over 58% of the vote, defeating Jeanette Jara in his third presidential bid. This result marks the biggest shift to the right since the end of Chile's military dictatorship in 1990. Kast is openly aligned with right-wing policies and has expressed praise for Augusto Pinochet. His inauguration is scheduled for 11 March 2026.
Kast signaled a platform focused on restoring order and confronting crime and irregular migration. His policy agenda includes sharp spending cuts, a free-market approach, constructing a border wall with Peru and Bolivia, establishing maximum-security prisons, and carrying out mass deportations of irregular migrants. The presidential election was notable as voting was mandatory and registration automatic for the first time in Chile's history.
Kast's victory has drawn jubilation from his supporters but concern from critics who warn against a return to far-right policies and potential human rights abuses. Kast's family background includes a brother who was a minister under Pinochet and a father who was a member of the Nazi party. Observers have noted that Kast admires Donald Trump and may align Chilean policies more closely with the United States. His win could be welcomed by investors looking for deregulation and market-friendly reforms.
