In the upcoming presidential election in Chile, voters are faced with a stark choice between two contrasting candidates: the far-right José Antonio Kast, a seasoned politician running for the presidency for a third time, and the left-wing Jeannette Jara, a member of the Communist Party and former labor minister. Polls indicate that Kast is the overwhelming favorite, which has led many Chileans to feel as though they are casting their votes for a candidate who does not fully represent their views, particularly in a system where participation is mandatory.
At a closing rally in the southern city of Temuco on Thursday evening, Kast delivered a lengthy speech to a crowd of several thousand supporters, many of whom were young men waving Chilean flags. The atmosphere was charged with chants of "Communists out!" as Kast reiterated the core messages of his campaign, primarily focusing on issues related to public safety and migration. One enthusiastic supporter, 18-year-old student Benjamín Sandoval, expressed his support for Kast, stating, "I'm voting for Kast because of his security agenda. The country is very unsafe; you can't even go out after 10 PM these days."
The pervasive fear of crime in Chile has reached unprecedented levels, partially fueled by intense media coverage. According to the 2024 Gallup Global Safety Report, Chile ranks sixth out of 144 countries in terms of fear of walking alone at night, despite being one of the safest nations in Latin America. While violent crime has traditionally been a concern, there has been a notable increase in criminal activity over the past four years, with homicides peaking in 2023. However, recent data suggests that murder rates are beginning to decline.
Illegal migration has also emerged as a critical topic in the election, primarily driven by the influx of hundreds of thousands of individuals fleeing economic turmoil in Venezuela since 2018. Kast, a Catholic father of nine, has effectively capitalized on public fears surrounding crime and migration. Notably, he is the son of Michael Kast, a German soldier and Nazi Party member who emigrated to Chile in 1950, and has a familial connection to the country's controversial past—his brother, Miguel Kast, served as a prominent minister during Augusto Pinochet's dictatorship.
Kast is known for his strong support of Pinochet's legacy, during which tens of thousands experienced torture, murder, or disappearance. His political career began in student politics advocating for Pinochet in a divisive plebiscite in 1988. However, during this campaign, Kast has carefully avoided controversial topics that hindered his previous presidential attempts in 2017 and 2021, such as his stances against same-sex marriage and abortion. Instead, he has focused on public security and migration issues while proposing tax cuts and significant budget reductions.
Jeannette Jara, in stark contrast, represents a progressive vision for Chile. At 51 years old, she has served in various governmental roles, including labor minister under current President Gabriel Boric. Jara's campaign emphasizes affordability and social welfare, proposing initiatives like a universal core income of approximately $800 a month, funded by gradual increases in the minimum wage and reduced electricity bills. Her policies also focus on state savings contributions aimed at assisting young adults aged 25 to 40 in purchasing homes.
As Jara prepared for her final rally in Santiago, she garnered support from individuals like Roxana Muñoz, a 58-year-old cashier, who expressed her strong identification with Jara's platform. "I would never vote for a man who speaks so badly about women," Muñoz stated, highlighting her disapproval of Kast's remarks about women. "I totally identify with Jara."
As the election approaches, it seems that Kast is on track to win, potentially becoming Chile's most right-wing leader since the end of Pinochet's dictatorship in 1990. The outcome of this election will not only shape the immediate political landscape but will also have lasting implications for the direction of Chile as it grapples with issues of security, migration, and social policies.