Chile Elects Right-Wing Presidential Candidate José Antonio Kast

By John Pranay (Editor)

Chile has taken a decisive turn to the right after José Antonio Kast, a hardline conservative, won the country's presidential runoff with 58.30% of the vote. His victory marks the latest win for the resurgent right in Latin America, following a campaign dominated by fears over crime, migration, and economic uncertainty. Kast secured the presidency with over 95% of the ballots counted, defeating leftist candidate Jeannette Jara, who received 41.70% of the vote.

The presidential election in Chile was a closely contested runoff between Kast and Jara, with the outcome decided by a significant margin. Kast, the leader of the Republican Party, has been a consistent right-wing hardliner throughout his decades-long political career. His campaign focused on issues such as crime, migration, and economic uncertainty, which resonated with many Chileans. Kast has proposed building border walls, deploying the military to high-crime areas, and deporting all migrants in the country illegally. His victory is seen as a reflection of a broader regional trend in Latin America, where security and migration have become decisive electoral issues.

• 1990: Chile returns to democracy after the end of the dictatorship.

• 2021: José Antonio Kast loses the presidential election to leftist President Gabriel Boric.

• November 2025: Right-wing parties win seats in both legislative houses in a general election.

• December 14, 2025: José Antonio Kast wins the presidential runoff with 58.30% of the vote, defeating Jeannette Jara.

• March 11, 2026: Kast is set to take office as the president of Chile.

Chile's presidential election is the latest in a series of right-wing victories in Latin America. In October, the election of centrist Rodrigo Paz ended almost two decades of socialist rule in Bolivia. Argentina's La Libertad Avanza won legislative elections, boosting President Javier Milei's influence in Congress, and Ecuador re-elected center-right Daniel Noboa. These events reflect a broader regional trend in which security and migration have become decisive electoral issues.

Kast's victory may lead to increased tensions with neighboring countries, particularly those with large migrant populations. His proposal to deport all undocumented migrants in the country illegally may put pressure on Chile's relationships with countries such as Venezuela, from which many migrants have arrived in recent years. Additionally, Kast's plans to cut public spending and reduce regulation may lead to economic instability and potential financial risks.

This election marks a significant shift in Chile's politics, reflecting a broader regional trend in Latin America. However, it also raises concerns about the potential consequences of Kast's policies, particularly for migrant communities and the country's relationships with neighboring countries. This suggests that the pace of change in Chile will be rapid, with significant implications for the country's politics, economy, and international relationships. Crucially, this overlooks the potential for Kast's presidency to exacerbate existing social and economic tensions in Chile, potentially leading to further instability and conflict.

On balance, this event screens as Bearish in our sentiment view.

1. Chile elects Kast as president, deepening regional shift to law-and-order politics — https://www.cnn.com/2025/12/14/americas/chile-election-kast-latam-intl

2. Chile shifts sharply right as José Antonio Kast wins Presidency — https://www.boisestatepublicradio.org/2025-12-14/chile-shifts-sharply-right-as-jose-antonio-kast-wins-presidency

Methodology: This analysis combines real-time data aggregation from manually selected global sources with advanced AI synthesis, engineered to provide neutral and data-driven insights.