Kast’s Chile: Governing a Divided Nation
José Antonio Kast will assume office on Wednesday, March 11th, to become Chile’s newest president. Though the campaign is over, Kast will inherit a Chile with lingering domestic and international tensions from the election season.
Kast, a conservative lawyer, has long been involved in Chilean politics as a former presidential candidate and member of the Chamber of Deputies. The election was divisive, with the final candidates representing the far right (Kast) and the far left (Jeannette Jara). Throughout the campaign, issues such as security, crime, and immigration dominated public debate, with Kast emphasizing the need to restore order. His victory also places Chile among a number of countries in the region, including Argentina, El Salvador, and Ecuador, that have shifted towards conservative leadership in recent years.
The president-elect’s victory marks a swing in the pendulum, with President Boric’s more progressive agenda (e.g. adopting more progressive labor policies and increasing taxes on mining companies) likely to be eroded during the upcoming administration. Apart from the concrete policies, Boric was seen as the new face of the left in Chile when he was elected at just 36 years old—a sharp contrast to an older Kast who represents far more traditional and conservative beliefs.
An approximately 15-minute meeting between Boric and Kast in early March highlights the tension surrounding the presidential transition. The meeting, which had been expected to cover transitional key issues, instead became contentious over the Chile-China undersea cable project, which would connect Hong Kong with the port city of Concón. In February, the United States announced sanctions against three Chilean government officials, citing regional security risks linked to the project. Kast claimed he had never been informed about the U.S. concerns, while Boric maintained that the incoming president had been notified. According to reports, Kast immediately pressed Boric for clarification during the meeting, but Boric did not provide detailed explanations, leaving the issue unresolved just days before the change in leadership.
Beyond the immediate disagreement, the cable controversy reflects a broader geopolitical challenge for Chile. The project raises questions about digital governance, information security, and the country’s ability to govern its own strategic technological infrastructure amidst global competition. While the United States views Chinese-linked telecommunications projects as potential security threats, the cable could significantly benefit Chile by improving digital connectivity and strengthening its role in regional technology networks. As the United States and China remain Chile’s two most important economic partners, Kast will take on the task of balancing relations with both while navigating the increasing tensions between the countries.
Kast’s presidency will begin not only with a deeply divided domestic political landscape, but also with growing geopolitical pressure. How his administration navigates both could shape Chile’s political and economic trajectory for years ahead.