Jose Antonio Kast Secures Victory in Chile’s Presidential Runoff
With nearly all ballots counted, Kast secured 58.17% of the vote, compared with 41.83% for Jara, a Communist Party figure and former labor minister.
Jara acknowledged the result soon after early returns were released, saying “democracy spoke loud and clear.”
She later confirmed she had contacted the victor directly. “I just spoke with President-elect Jose Antonio Kast to wish him success for the good of Chile,” Jara wrote on US social media company X. “To those who supported us and were inspired by our candidacy, rest assured that we will continue working to build a better life in our country. Together and standing strong, as we always have.”
The victory represents a sharp turnaround for Kast, who finished second in the first round held on Nov. 16. Although Jara narrowly led that initial vote with 27% versus Kast’s 24%, the conservative candidate went on to consolidate support from other right-wing contenders, whose combined vote total significantly outweighed the left’s share.
Jara’s campaign also struggled against the backdrop of weak approval ratings for the current administration led by President Gabriel Boric, a member of her governing coalition.
An ultraconservative lawyer and former legislator, Kast campaigned on a tough law-and-order agenda, pledging an “iron fist” approach to restoring security. A devout Catholic, he is known for opposing abortion and same-sex marriage and has openly expressed admiration for former dictator Augusto Pinochet.
Public safety dominated the election, overtaking the economy, health care, and education as Chile’s leading concern, according to opinion polls.
While Chile remains among the safest nations in Latin America, recent increases in organized crime, homicides, and high-profile incidents such as kidnappings have fueled what many voters describe as a growing “sense of lawlessness.”
Capitalizing on these fears, Kast promised sweeping security measures, including deploying the military to crime-plagued areas, constructing a barrier along the northern border, and deporting migrants living in the country illegally. Chile’s immigrant population has doubled over the past decade, driven largely by an estimated 700,000 Venezuelans.
The outcome adds to a broader wave of far-right gains across Latin America, following recent victories by conservative leaders in countries such as Argentina and Ecuador. Voter turnout also surged, as compulsory voting was reinstated for the first time in more than ten years.
The United States welcomed Kast’s victory.
“Under his leadership, we are confident Chile will advance shared priorities to include strengthening public security, ending illegal immigration, and revitalizing our commercial relationship,” the State Department said in a statement. “The United States looks forward to working closely with his administration to deepen our partnership and promote shared prosperity in our hemisphere.”
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