Chilean Presidential Hopeful José Antonio Kast Gains Momentum with Hardline Security Platform

Chilean presidential candidate José Antonio Kast is gaining traction in polls ahead of Sunday’s first-round vote, fueled by a campaign centered on strict security measures and immigration control.

Kast, an admirer of former dictator Augusto Pinochet, has proposed a series of drastic measures, including the construction of extensive border fortifications – ditches, barriers, and walls – along Chile’s northern border with Peru and Bolivia. He unveiled the “Escudo Fronterizo” (Border Shield) plan to curb the influx of migrants, particularly from Venezuela, where over half a million people have sought refuge since 2017 due to economic collapse. “Chile has been invaded… but this is over,” Kast declared in a campaign advertisement. His proposals echo rhetoric used by former U.S. President Donald Trump and have drawn comparisons to the policies of leaders like Hungary’s Viktor Orbán, whom Kast has called “a beacon” in the fight against asylum seekers.

The candidate’s focus on security resonates with voters concerned about rising crime rates, particularly in cities like Arica, where the murder rate has surged. Pollyana Rivera, a politician and TV journalist supporting Kast, claims Chile is “facing a critical emergency situation” and warns the country could fall into a similar state as Venezuela or Cuba without “strong, unrelenting measures.” Kast has also advocated for a Bukele-style crackdown on foreign criminals, referencing El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele’s controversial anti-gang policies. “We are worse off than Liberia, Botswana and Swaziland,” according to an official summary of his plan. This surge in right-wing support across South America could reshape regional political dynamics.

However, Kast’s plans face skepticism from opponents and human rights activists. Vlado Mirosevic, a center-left politician, argues Kast is selling “illusions” and that a Bukele-style approach is incompatible with Chile’s democratic principles. “The Bukele [model] is impossible to replicate, because it’s clearly a violation of the rule of law,” Mirosevic stated. Some of Kast’s supporters even question the feasibility of building extensive border barriers across Chile’s vast and remote northern territory. Recent polling data shows Kast trailing Communist party candidate Jeannette Jara by a narrow margin, but analysts predict a likely runoff between the two on December 14th. You can learn more about the political landscape in Chile from the Council on Foreign Relations.

Officials say they are prepared for all possible outcomes and will ensure a fair and transparent electoral process.