Chile has elected the far-right wing José Antonio Kast to be its next president, after an election campaign that was dominated by themes of security, immigration, and crime.
Kast beat the governing left-wing coalition candidate Jeanette Jara decisively with more than 58% of the vote in his third attempt at running for president.
It marks the biggest shift to the right since the end of Chile's military dictatorship in 1990. Kast has openly praised Chile's former right-wing dictator, Augusto Pinochet.
In his first speech to supporters as president-elect, Kast stated, Chile will once again be free from crime, free from anguish, free from fear.
His plans include looking for criminals, judging them, and locking them up as he aims for more stringent immigration policies.
The election result has led to mixed reactions, with jubilant celebrations among his supporters while others express concern over a potential return to the past.
Critics argue that the perception of insecurity is exaggerated, with some voters indicating a lack of faith in Kast's aggressive immigration promises.
As Kast prepares for his inauguration in March 2026, he has been compared to other right-leaning leaders across Latin America, symbolizing a broader trend in the region.
