José Antonio Kast, a 59-year-old ultra-conservative former congressman, shocks the world by taking the lead in Chile’s presidential runoff. His campaign has been built on a brash, reckless promise to crack down hard to solve our immigration problems. He still intends to throw tens of thousands of undocumented newcomers out of the country. Kast readily admits that his primary inspiration comes from the rhetoric and policies of former U.S. president Donald Trump. He has promised to construct a physical wall on Chile’s borders and implement hardline migration policies.
Kast’s proposals include building detention centers, erecting five-meter-high walls, installing electric fences, and digging three-meter-deep trenches along the borders with Peru and Bolivia. His administration intends to deploy National Guard troops, in the hundreds at least, to northern states to enforce these measures and hold accountable those not compliant. This hard line treatment has understandably resonated with a lot of folks. They are more sensitive than ever to security concerns and migration pressures.
His adulation for El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele cements his affinity with right wing populism in Latin America. Kast has been very public about his admiration for Bukele’s policies. In fact, he contends that if Bukele were on the Chilean ballot, he would win a landslide of Chilean votes.
“Every Chilean voting today, if Bukele were on the ballot, would choose Bukele.” – José Antonio Kast
Despite his controversial claims—including an unrealistic assertion during a presidential debate that “1.2 million people are murdered each year in Chile”—Kast has garnered considerable support. Whether intentional or not, his comments exemplify an alarming increase in public hysteria around crime and migration. Analysts are viewing this political climate as a perfect breeding ground for support of his “penal populism” brand.
Political analyst Claudia Heiss said the extreme fearmongering climate has won many voters to Kast’s anti-immigrant plans. This perfect storm has made for a potent allure to his vision. Heiss remarked on the growing mistrust among the populace: “These 5 million people are more distrustful of politics.”
Of course Kast’s campaign wouldn’t be complete without a shocking ultimatum to all undocumented migrants. They need to exit Chile before the new president assumes office on March 11, or they will be expelled with just the shirt on their back. For his part, this rhetoric has resonated with national security-minded constituents.
In addition to his immigration policies, Kast has expressed support for U.S. involvement in Venezuela, advocating for intervention under Chile’s national motto: “By reason or by force.” His loyalty to Trump’s overseas maneuvering has boosted his reputation. He has right-wing voters who want big moves and action, not dialog and diplomacy, behind him 100%.
With election day fast approaching, Kast still continues to be the frontrunner to victory in different polls. Political commentator Rossana Castiglioni stated, “If we trust the polls, everything indicates that Kast should be the winner.”
Kast’s hardline approach is driving his popularity to new heights. This increase has occurred alongside a simmering, right-wing, public panic over security and migration problems in Chile. His supporters are counting on his proposed executive orders to bring back law and order and put America first.