In his first address to the nation as president of Chile, José Antonio Kast described a country plagued by organized crime and fragile finances, and presented his government as an emergency government with the aim of solving these problems.
“They are handing us a country in worse conditions than we could imagine. A country with fragile public finances. A country where organized crime and drug trafficking have thrived,” he said, addressing thousands of supporters gathered in front of the La Moneda Palace, in Santiago, on Wednesday night (11).
“To face these emergencies – security, health, education, employment and others – Chile needs an emergency government, and that is what we will be,” he added.
Kast also called for unity and said he will carry out audits across the government and intensify the fight against crime, illegal immigration and corruption.
He also called for unity and said that the government will carry out audits in all sectors and intensify the fight against crime, illegal immigration and corruption.
“Let’s restore our country, let’s restore our streets, let’s restore our institutions. Let’s restore hope,” Kast said.
“We build the future together,” he added.
Before addressing the crowd, the Chilean president signed a series of presidential decrees, several of them focused on improving border security in the country’s northern desert region, as well as a full audit of public finances.
Kast has promised to crack down on immigration and crime while boosting economic growth through deregulation, spending cuts and market-friendly policies.
He takes office in place of the leftist – who defeated him in 2021 – at a time when Chile is facing rising crime, economic instability and turbulence in the global market, triggered by the war with Iran.
Protesters also gathered in Valparaíso and Santiago throughout the day, clashing with police and chanting against imperialism, capitalism, the United States and Kast, before being dispersed with water cannons and tear gas.
A shooting that left a police officer brain dead earlier in the day in the southern city of Puerto Varas highlighted these security concerns and prompted Kast to send his new security minister, Trinidad Steinert, to the city.
“There will be a before and an after. Whoever attacks a police officer attacks Chile,” Kast told reporters when asked about the shooting earlier that day.
“We will find them, try them and apply the full rigor of the law,” said the president.
Political test
Kast’s government plans to present a tax reform bill in April that includes cutting corporate taxes from 27% to 23% over four years and tax credits to encourage employment.
“This is a government of hope. It defends work, the working class. We are the ones who need it most,” said Patricia Vilches, a 68-year-old retiree who was gathered in front of La Moneda Palace on Wednesday night.
Vilches said she owns a cafe that was stolen during widespread protests against inequality in 2019 and believes Boric’s government did not do enough for the working class.
The political transition was also marked by increased tensions between the incoming government and the outgoing government due to growing pressure from the US regarding a Chinese submarine cable project.
Kast recently attended a meeting with US President Donald Trump in Florida to launch a new coalition against drug cartels called “Shield of the Americas.”
Chile is also the world’s largest producer of copper and China, the country’s main economic partner, is the largest buyer of the metal.
“(Kast) will have to deal with an increasingly challenging international geopolitical scenario,” said Guillermo Holzmann, a political analyst at Valparaiso University, highlighting the economic risks of war with Iran, the US security strategy in the region and China’s influence in Latin America.
“These decisions will require sophisticated diplomacy and a medium and long-term strategic vision,” he added.
Kast will also face a divided Congress, which could make it difficult to quickly implement his agenda.
“The rapid and effective implementation of its three priorities — security, immigration and the economy — will be essential,” said Nicholas Watson, managing director of consultancy Teneo, adding that “a series of initiatives are expected over the next three months.”
