Chile Elects José Antonio Kast in Landslide, Marking Nation’s Sharpest Rightward Turn in Decades

Chile has taken a decisive swing to the right after José Antonio Kast, a hardline conservative and leader of the Republican Party, won the presidency in a landslide runoff election. With more than 99 percent of ballots counted, Kast secured 58 percent of the vote, defeating leftist candidate Jeannette Jara, who garnered just over 41 percent.

The victory represents Chile’s most dramatic rightward shift since the end of Augusto Pinochet’s military dictatorship in 1990. It underscores a broader regional trend toward law-and-order politics amid rising concerns over crime, migration, and economic stagnation.

A Campaign Built on Security and Migration

Kast’s campaign was anchored in promises to deploy the military to high-crime areas, build border walls, and expel undocumented migrants. He pledged to restore “peace and order” to Chilean streets, tapping into widespread voter anxiety over surging crime rates and the influx of migrants from neighboring countries.

The president-elect, a staunch Catholic known for opposing abortion and same-sex marriage, also vowed to revive Chile’s economy, which has struggled with sluggish growth and inflation in recent years.

Reactions Across the Political Spectrum

In a concession speech, Jara, a former labor minister under outgoing President Gabriel Boric, acknowledged defeat, saying: “Democracy has spoken loud and clear. I have communicated with José Antonio Kast and wished him success for the good of Chile.”

Outgoing President Boric also phoned Kast to congratulate him, urging unity in a country deeply polarized by the campaign.

Supporters of Kast flooded Santiago’s wealthy districts on Sunday night, waving Chilean flags and honking car horns in celebration. “Chile needs order — order in the streets, in the state, in the priorities that have been lost,” Kast declared in his victory speech.

Regional Implications

Kast’s triumph is seen as part of a resurgent wave of right-wing victories across Latin America, following recent conservative wins in Argentina and Ecuador. Analysts say his hardline stance on crime and migration reflects a growing appetite among voters for strong-handed leadership in the face of insecurity.

The election also signals a potential rollback of progressive reforms introduced under Boric’s administration, including expanded social protections and climate initiatives. Kast has promised to reassert traditional values and prioritize economic liberalization.

Looking Ahead

Kast will assume office as Chile’s 38th president, inheriting a nation grappling with deep political divisions, economic uncertainty, and social unrest. His broad mandate gives him significant leverage, but also places him under intense scrutiny from both domestic and international observers.

As Chile prepares for this new chapter, the question remains whether Kast’s law-and-order agenda will deliver stability—or deepen the fractures in one of Latin America’s most politically dynamic nations.