Economic Confidence Gap: A new analysis argues President José Antonio Kast’s government is doing the “orthodoxy” moves—tax cuts, tax system reintegration, and incentives—but unemployment is still at 9.5% and growth is stuck below 1%, raising the uncomfortable question of whether expectations and confidence are failing. Chile-Argentina Border Tensions: Chile and Argentina moved to cool a dispute over the Strait of Magellan after diplomatic friction, with both sides reaffirming Chile’s sovereignty in a joint statement—though Argentina’s “joint control” decree remains in effect. Security Politics in Santiago: Hundreds of students protested the Madrid Forum in Santiago, linking Kast’s security reforms to a feared Pinochet-style revival; police used tear gas and water cannons as opposition figures criticized Milei’s praise for the 1973 coup. Parliamentary Loss: Camilo Escalona, former Senate president and a key socialist figure, died at 71, with Kast and Boric both marking his democratic legacy from opposite sides of Chile’s political divide. Foreign Investment Rules: Chile’s Congress approved a tax stability regime for qualifying foreign investors, fixing tax burdens via state contracts starting in 2027, though key details will depend on future regulations. Critical Minerals Supply Chain: A policy-focused piece highlights that downstream processing capacity—not just mine supply—is the bottleneck shaping lithium and other critical mineral markets.