December 15, 2025
Santiago, Chile — In a historic election marked by rising nationalist sentiment, Chilean voters have chosen José Antonio Kast, a hardline conservative and former congressman, as the country’s next president. Known for his controversial ties to far-right ideologies and a pledge to deport hundreds of thousands of undocumented migrants, Kast’s victory has sparked both celebration among his supporters and unease across Latin America.
A Controversial Legacy and Campaign Promise
Kast, 55, rose to prominence as a vocal critic of progressive social policies and a staunch defender of Catholic values. The son of a Nazi Party member, he has long expressed admiration for the U.S. Republican Party and the repressive legacy of Chile’s former dictator, Augusto Pinochet. During his campaign, Kast positioned himself as a defender of “traditional Chilean identity,” vowing to address what he called a crisis of crime and disorder exacerbated by the influx of migrants.
“I said during the campaign that no individual won, no party won—Chile won, and hope won,” Kast declared at a raucous victory rally in Santiago, where supporters waited hours to hear his speech. “The hope of living without fear—that fear that torments families.”
Migration and Security at the Forefront
Analysts point to rising concerns over crime and public safety as key drivers of Kast’s success. Though Chile remains one of Latin America’s safest countries, some urban areas have seen increases in violent crime. Kast capitalized on this anxiety, framing the surge in undocumented migrants—primarily Venezuelans fleeing their nation’s economic collapse—as the root cause. Over the past decade, Chile’s migrant population has doubled, with an estimated 330,000 undocumented migrants currently residing in the country.
“Those breaking the law must leave our country—and they’ll leave with only the clothes on their backs,” Kast warned during the campaign. He gave migrants an ultimatum: depart voluntarily by March 11, 2026, when he assumes the presidency, or face forced expulsion.
His platform also included a Trump-inspired security overhaul: massive border walls, electrified fences, 3-meter-deep trenches, and hardened detention centers. The military would be deployed along the northern frontier with Peru and Bolivia, he pledged, to “confront all who harm us.”
International Reactions and Regional Trends
Kast’s victory has drawn praise from U.S. Senator Marco Rubio, who hailed the outcome, calling it a step toward “greater security and sovereignty.” Argentine President Javier Milei, a fellow far-right populist, celebrated on social media, declaring Kast a key ally in a regional movement against “21st-century socialism.”
The election aligns with a broader rightist wave sweeping South America. This year alone, right-wing leaders have secured or expanded power in Ecuador, Bolivia, and Argentina, where Milei’s libertarian policies are already reshaping the political landscape. Analysts say Kast’s win reflects a growing backlash against progressive reforms and perceived government mismanagement.
Divided Public and Uncertain Future
Kast’s ties to Pinochet’s regime and his rigid social views—opposing abortion, same-sex marriage, and gender quotas—have drawn fierce criticism from Chile’s human rights community. Yet among his base, he is seen as a restorer of order and national pride.
As Chile prepares for a dramatic policy shift, the question remains: can Kast’s hardline approach address the complex realities of migration and urban crime, or will it deepen societal divisions in a nation long defined by political upheaval? For now, the president-elect’s message of fear and renewal has resonated, propelling him into the heart of Latin America’s shifting right-wing renaissance.