Chile Inaugurates José Antonio Kast: A Radical Rightward Shift Since Pinochet

Chile - Ekhbary News Agency

Chile Inaugurates José Antonio Kast: A Radical Rightward Shift Since Pinochet

In a significant political development, far-right lawyer José Antonio Kast was officially inaugurated as the new President of Chile on Wednesday, ushering in what is widely considered the most radical conservative turn the South American nation has seen since the end of Augusto Pinochet's dictatorship. The solemn ceremony took place at the Congress in Valparaíso, where Kast, 60, declared "Yes, I swear," succeeding the leftist president Gabriel Boric, who had held office for the past four years.

Kast arrives at the presidency with a clear mandate to establish an "emergency government" aimed at implementing a tough-on-crime and stringent immigration policy, addressing two of the most pressing concerns for Chilean citizens. His campaign successfully tapped into widespread public anxiety over rising crime rates and irregular migration, positioning him as a strong leader capable of restoring order.

The inauguration ceremony, held in a Congress with a right-leaning majority, saw Kast receive applause from his allies. The event was attended by several prominent Latin American leaders, including Argentina's President Javier Milei. Brazil's President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who had initially confirmed his attendance, ultimately withdrew.

One of Kast's first official acts as president was the swearing-in of his 24 cabinet ministers. Notably, two of these ministers are lawyers who previously represented figures associated with Augusto Pinochet's regime (1973-1990), a period responsible for over 3,200 deaths and disappearances. This historical association has drawn attention and raised concerns among human rights advocates.

Following the official proceedings, President Kast rode in the traditional black convertible Ford Galaxie, a gift to Chile from Queen Elizabeth II in 1968, acknowledging his supporters under a bright sun. This symbolic gesture added a touch of historical continuity to the day's events.

Chile's political trajectory appears to be shifting away from the recent focus on constitutional reform, a movement that gained momentum following the widespread social unrest of 2019. Boric was a key proponent of this reform process, which ultimately failed after two attempts. Political analysts, such as Rodrigo Arellano from the University of Development, suggest that Kast represents a return to a "conservative right not seen since the return to democracy" in 1990.

Kast's emphasis on law and order resonates with a segment of the Chilean population seeking a stronger response to crime. Despite Chile generally remaining one of the safer countries in the region, with a homicide rate of 5.4 per 100,000 inhabitants in 2025 (among the lowest in Latin America), concerns about organized crime, including the presence of international gangs like 'Tren de Aragua', have grown significantly.

Throughout his campaign, Kast projected an image of urgency, at times delivering speeches from behind bulletproof glass and portraying Chile as a nation teetering on the brink of collapse due to drug trafficking. He secured a decisive victory in the December presidential election, defeating the leftist candidate Jeannette Jara by a considerable margin.

The inauguration was attended by several heads of state, including Javier Milei (Argentina), Rodrigo Paz (Bolivia), and Daniel Noboa (Ecuador). Also present were U.S. Under Secretary of State Christopher Landau and Venezuelan Nobel Peace Prize laureate María Corina Machado. Kast's ascension aligns with a broader trend of right-wing governments gaining influence across the region, often with perceived backing from the United States.

Mara Sedini, the new government spokesperson, informed AFP that the administration's primary mission is to "resolve crises that are important and priority for Chileans," focusing on economic recovery and "migratory security."

Kast's personal background has also come under scrutiny. Investigative reports from 2021 revealed that his father, a German immigrant, was a member of Adolf Hitler's Nazi Party. Kast has maintained that his father was conscripted into the German army during World War II and denies any Nazi sympathies on his part.

Earlier on the day of his inauguration, the president formally resigned from the Republican Party, a symbolic gesture common among incoming presidents to signal their commitment to governing independently. Kast's presidency marks a new chapter for Chile, promising significant policy shifts and facing substantial challenges ahead.

Ekhbary News Agency