Chile Elects Devout Catholic Conservative José Antonio Kast Amid Call for Order and Freedom
Chile, a country in South America, has elected José Antonio Kast, age 59, a devout Catholic and leading pro-life conservative figure, as its next President, following a campaign centered on restoring public order, national sovereignty, and economic freedom. He is also the father of nine children with his wife María Pía Adriasola (m. 1991).. The victory marks a decisive turn for Chile, affirming principles of traditional values and firm governance.
Chile is a long, narrow country stretching along South America's western edge, with more than 6,000km of Pacific Ocean coastline. Santiago, its capital, sits in a valley surrounded by the Andes and Chilean Coast Range mountains. The population is about 19.76 million (2024) World Bank. Christianity is dominant in Chile, primarily Roman Catholicism, but with a Protestant (Evangelical) presence, alongside a percentage of non-religious people and smaller groups like Mormons, Jews, Muslims, and Buddhists. The 2024 census showed Catholicism at about 53.7%, non-religious at 25.7%, Protestants at 16.2%, and others at 3.8%.
Kast, running as a champion for the conservative cause, resoundingly defeated the left-wing coalition candidate, Communist Party member Jeannette Jara, securing over 58% of the vote in his third bid for the presidency. This result represents the most significant political affirmation of conservative principles since the return to democracy in 1990. Kast has previously expressed respect for the achievements of Chile's former right-wing government in restoring order.
In his victory address, President-elect Kast emphasized a future of security and liberty: "Chile will once again be free from crime, free from anguish, free from fear." He pledged a firm hand against lawlessness, stating: "Criminals, delinquents - their lives are going to change. We're going to look for them, find them, judge them and then we're going to lock them up."
At a spirited gathering in Santiago, supporters, many wrapped in Chilean flags and chanting patriotic slogans, celebrated the results. "I'm happy we can recover the country's security and patriotism," said Augustina Trancoso, wearing a "Make Chile Great Again" cap. Another supporter, Belem Valdivieso, remarked: "We've been trying to win an election for years... Lately we've experienced problems with insecurity. I'm hoping his promises will be kept and he'll focus on security."
Throughout the campaign, Kast presented a compelling case for national renewal, focusing on the perceived decline in public safety and the need for strict border control against irregular immigration. He also promised a free-market approach to economics, advocating for smaller government and deregulation to stimulate growth, a core conservative economic tenet welcomed by investors.
Kast's policies echo the strong stance of President Donald Trump, an ally. His plans include bolstering border security along the frontiers with Peru and Bolivia, establishing high-security detention facilities, and mass deportations of irregular migrants.
While Chile remains one of South America's most stable nations, a rise in organized crime and migration in recent years has fueled widespread voter concern. Kast consistently linked the two, a message that motivated a significant portion of his base.
Some voters, however, expressed skepticism about the severity of the security crisis. Javiera Carrasco, who ultimately voted for the Communist Party's Jara, felt a "false sense of insecurity is becoming widespread," arguing that problems are exaggerated compared to other nations. Yet, for many of Kast’s supporters, the perception of growing disorder was the decisive factor. "We are transforming into Colombia, a lot of terrorism, thieves, robbery, society is very unsafe," said Max Struber, who also noted the previous government's success in maintaining peace and tranquility.
Key Catholic and Conservative Values
A cornerstone of Kast’s platform is his socially conservative Catholic background. He is firmly opposed to measures that undermine traditional family values, specifically standing against abortion, even in cases of rape. He has also voiced concerns regarding certain environmental protection policies he views as harmful to economic development.
Kast's rival, Communist Party member Jeannette Jara, represented a continuation of the policies of the outgoing left-wing government of President Gabriel Boric, which suffered from low approval ratings. Many voters felt Jara was a "continuity vote" that would perpetuate the current environment.
Francisco Otero, a Kast supporter, felt that while neither candidate was perfect, a continuation of the current government was viewed as "much worse." Upon the results, Jara conceded, stating "democracy has spoken loud and clear" and wishing Kast "success for the good of Chile."
Kast’s victory is part of a broader trend across Latin America, where a shift to the Right has been observed in recent elections in nations like Argentina, Ecuador, Costa Rica, and El Salvador.
Kast is scheduled to be inaugurated on March 11, 2026, and has emphasized that illegal immigrants should depart before that date. This was the first presidential election in Chile with mandatory voting and automatic registration, a change that compelled some to choose the candidate they felt was the best alternative for change. Claudio Sanjuez stated: "Chile needs a change, and I clearly think Kast could be that alternative."
Edited from BBC and Wikipedia
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