Who Is Jose Antonio Kast? Chile’s Newly Elected Right-Wing President And Trump Admirer | World News

Chile elected right-wing leader José Antonio Kast as its new president after an election campaign that focused heavily on public security, immigration and rising crime. Kast won a decisive victory in his third presidential bid, receiving more than 58 percent of the vote.

His victory represents the most significant political shift to the right in Chile since the end of the military dictatorship in 1990. Kast attracted attention with his positive remarks about former dictator Augusto Pinochet. In the second round, she defeated Jeannette Jara, the candidate of the ruling left coalition and a member of the Communist Party.

Who is José Antonio Kast?

José Antonio Kast, 59, is the chairman of Chile’s Republican Party and has finally captured the presidency after two previous unsuccessful attempts. He is a father of nine whose worldview is shaped by conservative Roman Catholic values ​​and neoliberal economic principles, The New York Times reported.

Kast has consistently held hard right-wing positions throughout his long political career. He strongly opposes illegal immigration, abortion even in cases of rape, and many environmental protection measures. His suggestions include building border barriers, using the military in areas with high crime rates and deporting undocumented immigrants.

Kast’s family history was also examined. While his brother served as a minister during Pinochet’s administration, his father was reportedly a member of the Nazi Party. Pinochet, a former army general, came to power after a US-backed coup in 1973 and ruled Chile for 17 years, a period marked by widespread human rights violations, enforced disappearances and aggressive free market reforms.

During the campaign, Kast repeatedly warned that Chile was descending into disorder and insecurity. He has promised to reassert control, tighten immigration enforcement and impose significant cuts in government spending.

An avowed admirer of former US president Donald Trump, Kast is expected to align closely with him ideologically. His policy agenda reflects several Trump-era ideas, including border walls along Chile’s border with Peru and Bolivia, the construction of high-security prisons and plans for large-scale deportations of undocumented immigrants, mostly from Venezuela.

Although Chile remains one of South America’s most stable and safe countries, increased immigration and the rise of organized crime in recent years have troubled many citizens. Caste frequently linked these concerns during his campaign; It was a message that resonated strongly with a large segment of the electorate.