Chile Elects José Antonio Kast as President, Winning 58.2% of Vote

Chile’s ultra‑conservative former lawmaker José Antonio Kast secured a stunning victory in the presidential election Sunday, defeating the candidate of the center‑left governing coalition and setting the stage for the country’s most right‑wing government in 35 years of democracy.

Election Results

Kast captured 58.2% of the votes, while his opponent, communist candidate Jeannette Jara, received 41.8%. The result was announced in Santiago as supporters of Kast erupted into cheers, shouting his name and honking horns.

Victory Speech

In a lengthy address at a public square in Santiago, Kast said, “Chile needs order — order in the streets, in the state, in the priorities that have been lost.” He added that his win gave him a “broad mandate” and a “tremendous responsibility.” When his supporters interrupted him to boo Jara, he cut them off and snapped, “Respect!”.

Kast also invited the nation to a journey to recover values for a proper and healthy life, noting that it would not be easy and would require everyone’s commitment.

Opposition Response

Jara, who served as labor minister in President Gabriel Boric’s government, encouraged her supporters not to be deterred by the defeat. “It is in defeat that we learn the most,” she said shortly after calling Kast to concede the election and congratulating him on his successful campaign.

Regional Context

Kast’s election is part of a broader shift in Latin America toward right‑wing leaders. Argentina’s President Javier Milei, a radical libertarian aligned with Trump, was the first to congratulate Kast, writing on social media that “The left recedes.” The U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio praised Kast, saying, “Under his leadership, we are confident Chile will advance shared priorities to include strengthening public security, ending illegal immigration and revitalizing our commercial relationship.”

Policy Promises

Kast has outlined a plan to tackle crime, migration, and the economy. He cites El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele as a model for building maximum‑security prisons, including a 40,000‑capacity mega‑jail he toured last year. Kast intends to expand the powers of the army and police and to enhance protections for officers who use force.

On migration, he echoes Trump’s stance, calling for the deportation of hundreds of thousands of illegal immigrants and the construction of a massive barrier on the northern border, complete with 3‑meter‑deep ditches.

Economically, Kast vows to cut $6 billion in spending over 18 months by shrinking the public payroll and dismantling ministries, while maintaining social benefits. He also plans to lower corporate taxes, reduce red tape, and return Chile to the rapid growth of the 1990s.

Congressional Dynamics

Kast’s Republican Party does not hold a majority in either house of Congress, meaning he will need to negotiate with traditional center‑right forces that may resist his proposals.

Expert Insight

Chilean political analyst Patricio Navia said that if Kast governs as a moderate right‑wing president, he could find support. “But can Kast control his radical instincts? That’s the big question,” Navia added.

Key Takeaways

• José Antonio Kast wins with 58.2% of the vote, ending 35 years of alternating centrist governments.
• His platform focuses on hard‑line crime control, mass deportations, a northern border barrier, and an aggressive fiscal plan.
• The victory aligns Chile with a regional trend of right‑wing leaders and draws praise from Argentina’s Milei and the U.S. administration.

The election marks a turning point for Chile, as it prepares to navigate a new era under a president who has promised a decisive shift in policy and governance.