The protest was organized by the Confederation of Chilean Students and supported by teachers’ unions, student organizations and social groups. Demonstrators marched through central Santiago to oppose reductions in public spending that they argue could weaken access to education and reduce student representation.

Austerity Plan Fuels Opposition

Since assuming office on March 11, Kast has pledged to reduce public spending by roughly $6 billion over 18 months as part of an effort to improve Chile’s fiscal position. Government measures include a nearly 3% budget reduction across ministries, drawing criticism from opposition parties and some figures within the governing coalition.

Protesters also voiced opposition to the government’s National Reconstruction bill, a wide-ranging economic reform package designed to reduce state spending, encourage investment and stimulate economic growth. The legislation was approved by Chile’s Chamber of Deputies in late May and is now awaiting debate in the Senate.

Violence Erupts During Demonstration

The march began peacefully before confrontations broke out between protesters and police. Authorities used tear gas and water cannons to disperse crowds after unrest escalated, while some demonstrators threw rocks and other objects at officers. Several major streets were blocked and multiple Santiago Metro stations were temporarily closed as a result of the disturbances.

Associated Press journalists at the scene reported multiple arrests and several injuries. Police and government officials had not publicly commented on the clashes by the time of publication.

Mario Aguilar, president of Chile’s Teachers’ Union, accused authorities of provoking the confrontation in order to justify a tougher response to protesters. Student participants said they intended to continue opposing the spending reductions despite the police intervention.

Political Test for Kast Administration

The demonstrations represent one of the first major nationwide mobilizations faced by Kast since taking office. His government has prioritized fiscal restraint, public security and pro-market reforms, but critics argue that spending reductions could disproportionately affect public services, including education.

Student activism has historically played a significant role in Chilean politics, with education-related protests frequently serving as catalysts for broader social movements. The latest unrest suggests that education funding could become a central political battleground as the administration advances its economic reform agenda.

Uncertainty Ahead

The Senate’s upcoming debate on the National Reconstruction bill is expected to be closely watched by supporters and critics of the government’s economic strategy. While officials argue that fiscal discipline is necessary to strengthen public finances, opponents contend that spending cuts could have lasting consequences for public education and social services.

Authorities have not announced additional security measures following the clashes, and it remains unclear whether further demonstrations are planned in the coming days.

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Kast assumed office during a ceremony at the National Congress in the coastal city of Valparaíso after winning a decisive victory in the 2025 presidential election. His rise to power reflects growing voter concern over public security, immigration and economic stability, issues that dominated the campaign and contributed to a broader regional shift in political leadership.

Regional Leaders Gather as Chile Signals Policy Reset

Several prominent international figures attended the inauguration, underscoring Chile’s continuing role in regional diplomacy. Among them were Javier Milei of Argentina, José Raúl Mulino of Panama, and Daniel Noboa of Ecuador. Representing Europe, King Felipe VI of Spain was also present.

However, some regional leaders were notably absent, including Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva of Brazil and Nayib Bukele of El Salvador. The United States sent a smaller delegation led by Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau, reflecting the evolving dynamics between Santiago and Washington.

During the ceremony, newly appointed Senate President Paulina Núñez placed the presidential sash on Kast before the incoming Cabinet took the oath of office. Among the key appointments were José Francisco Pérez Mackenna as foreign minister, María Trinidad Steinert as security minister, and Fernando Rabat as minister of justice and human rights.

Political Transition Follows Turbulent Presidency

Kast replaces outgoing President Gabriel Boric, who entered office in 2022 as Chile’s youngest leader but leaves with historically low approval ratings. According to a survey published this week by the polling firm Cadem, more than half of respondents viewed Boric’s administration as the weakest since Chile returned to democracy.

Analysts say widespread frustration over rising organized crime and unmet expectations for social reform eroded support for Boric’s left-wing government. That dissatisfaction helped propel Kast, a long-time conservative figure in Chilean politics, to a landslide victory against government-backed communist candidate Jeannette Jara in December’s election.

Foreign Policy Signals Shift Toward Washington

The political transition also comes amid shifting geopolitical alignments across Latin America. Several countries in the region have recently elected conservative leaders, a trend that some observers link to changing domestic priorities and renewed engagement with the United States.

Kast has made gestures suggesting closer ties with Washington, including praise for the U.S. operation that led to the capture of former Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro. According to reporting by The Associated Press, the new president also ended a transition dispute with Boric related to a proposed submarine cable project connecting Chile with China—a plan that had drawn criticism from U.S. officials.

The dispute highlighted growing tensions between Santiago and Washington during Boric’s presidency, particularly after the Chilean leader publicly criticized the leadership style of U.S. President Donald Trump. Trump had previously signaled support for Kast and recently invited him to the “Shield of the Americas” summit in Miami alongside other conservative leaders from the region.

Security and Immigration Agenda at the Forefront

Kast’s campaign centered heavily on promises to restore security and tighten immigration controls. Rising crime rates and the expansion of transnational criminal networks have become major public concerns in Chile in recent years.

The president has pledged tougher law-enforcement measures, including expanded deportations of undocumented migrants and new border barriers in areas with high levels of illegal crossings. Kast has also cited the security policies of El Salvador’s president, Nayib Bukele, as a model, having toured the country’s large-scale prison complex during the campaign.

These proposals mark a sharp departure from the approach of Boric’s administration, which emphasized social reform and human-rights-focused policies.

Early Governing Test Looms

Despite the decisive election victory, Kast will confront a fragmented political landscape. Chile’s divided Congress could complicate efforts to pass major legislation tied to the administration’s security and immigration agenda.

Analysts say the government’s first months in office will be crucial. Mariano Machado of risk-analysis firm Verisk Maplecroft told The Associated Press that the administration’s ability to define clear priorities early on will likely determine whether political institutions align with the government’s program or resist it.

If the new administration demonstrates momentum within its first 100 days, Machado suggested, the broader political establishment may be more inclined to cooperate. Failure to establish direction quickly, however, could create obstacles to advancing Kast’s policy agenda.

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In a landmark election, far-right politician Jose Antonio Kast has been elected Chile’s 38th president, defeating centre-left candidate Jeannette Jara in a decisive run-off. With nearly all votes tallied, Kast secured 58 percent, marking the first time since Chile’s return to democracy in 1990 that a candidate from the far right will assume the presidency.

Kast’s victory reflects broader regional trends in Latin America, where conservative and right-leaning leaders have recently gained ground in countries such as Argentina and Ecuador. Jara, representing the governing Unity for Chile coalition, conceded shortly after polls closed, emphasizing her commitment to continue political work despite the loss.

“This is not a personal achievement, nor is it a party achievement,” Kast said in his victory speech. “Chile won here, with the hope of no longer living in fear, of a Chile that works.”

Campaign Background and Political Context

The 59-year-old Kast, leader of the Republican Party, had previously run unsuccessfully for the presidency in 2017 and 2021, losing the latter to outgoing President Gabriel Boric by a nearly 10-point margin. Boric, a former student leader, concluded his term with approval ratings around 30 percent and was constitutionally barred from seeking re-election.

Public concerns over rising crime, migration, and a slowing economy contributed to Kast’s appeal. His platform, called the “Implacable Plan,” emphasizes stricter law enforcement, longer mandatory minimum sentences, increased incarceration in maximum-security facilities, and isolation of cartel leaders. Kast also advocates mass deportations of migrants, drawing comparisons to policies implemented in the United States under former President Donald Trump.

Socially, Kast maintains conservative stances informed by his Catholic beliefs, opposing abortion even in cases of rape. Critics have highlighted his defense of Chile’s former dictator Augusto Pinochet, who ruled from 1973 to 1990 following a military coup and whose regime was marked by widespread human rights abuses. Kast has sought to temper his image during the campaign, presenting a more moderate platform to broaden voter appeal.

Historical Significance

Observers note that Kast’s election represents a historic moment for Chile’s far-right politics. Lucia Newman, reporting from Santiago for Al Jazeera, described the outcome as the first time a government with strong conservative roots will govern since the military dictatorship ended. “It’s really not certain just how conservative it will be. Jose Antonio Kast was a supporter of former dictator General Augusto Pinochet. He has shirked away from that in recent years, and certainly in this campaign,” Newman said.

The election also highlights the dynamics of Chile’s current political landscape. Kast came second in the first-round vote on November 16 with 23.9 percent, while Jara led with 26.8 percent. The fragmented right in the initial vote consolidated around Kast in the run-off, helping him secure a decisive victory.

Regional Reaction and International Implications

Kast’s win drew swift congratulations from conservative leaders across the Americas. Argentina’s President Javier Milei and Ecuador’s President Daniel Noboa praised the outcome as a milestone for Latin America’s right-wing movements. In the United States, Secretary of State Marco Rubio welcomed the results, highlighting potential cooperation on trade and regional security.

Domestically, Kast faces a divided National Congress, which may limit the implementation of some of his proposed measures. Chilean authorities reported that approximately 15.7 million citizens were eligible to vote, with this election marking the first compulsory voting since 2012. Kast is scheduled to take office on March 11.

Source: Aljazeera – Far-right candidate Jose Antonio Kast wins Chile’s presidential election

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