Chile Elects Far-Right President Jose Antonio Kast Amid Political Shift

Chile has shifted sharply to the right with the election of ultra-conservative Jose Antonio Kast, who won over 58% of the vote against leftist candidate Jeannette Jara, who garnered just over 41%. Kast, a leader of the Republican Party, campaigned on public security and immigration, stating that Chile is in a crisis due to rising violence and illegal migration.

He has promised to expel undocumented migrants and has praised the dictatorship of Augusto Pinochet, making him the first president since Chile's return to democracy in 1990 to openly support the military regime.

His victory reflects a broader trend of right-wing populism in Latin America, as seen in recent elections across the region. Outgoing President Gabriel Boric congratulated Kast and acknowledged the need for a peaceful transition of power.

Kast's victory has drawn international attention, with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressing eagerness to partner with his administration. However, despite his sweeping win, Kast will not have an absolute majority in Congress and has yet to specify how he will implement his proposed economic policies, which include cutting public spending by $6 billion within 18 months.