By Anietie anii-bassey
Far-right political leader José Antonio Kast was sworn in Wednesday as the new president of Chile, ushering in one of the most significant ideological shifts in the country’s government since the restoration of democracy more than three decades ago.
The inauguration ceremony took place at the National Congress building in the coastal city of Valparaíso, where Kast and his newly appointed Cabinet formally took their oaths of office following a decisive victory in the 2025 presidential election.
The event drew an audience of international dignitaries, regional leaders and prominent political figures, highlighting the significance of the leadership transition in one of South America’s most stable democracies.
Among the high-profile guests attending the ceremony were Javier Milei of Argentina, José Raúl Mulino of Panama and Daniel Noboa of Ecuador. Spain was represented by Felipe VI, while Venezuelan opposition figure and Nobel Peace Prize laureate María Corina Machado also attended.
Notably absent from the gathering were several influential leaders from across the region, including Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva of Brazil and Nayib Bukele of El Salvador. The United States sent a smaller delegation headed by Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau.
During the ceremony, newly appointed Senate President Paulina Núñez placed the traditional presidential sash across Kast’s shoulders, formally marking the transfer of power. Following the swearing-in of the president, members of the incoming administration were also confirmed in their posts.
José Francisco Pérez Mackenna assumed the role of foreign minister, while María Trinidad Steinert took office as minister of security. Fernando Rabat was sworn in as minister of justice and human rights.
The inauguration marks the end of the presidency of Gabriel Boric, who took office in 2022 as the youngest leader in Chile’s modern history at the age of 36. Boric’s government, which came to power on a wave of progressive enthusiasm following widespread social protests, struggled in later years to maintain public support amid economic pressures, rising crime and political divisions.
According to a recent survey conducted by the polling firm Cadem, Boric leaves office with the lowest approval rating of any Chilean president since the country returned to democratic rule in 1990. More than half of respondents in the survey described his administration as the worst government during the democratic era.
Kast’s victory in the December election was decisive. Running against government-backed communist candidate Jeannette Jara, Kast secured roughly 60 percent of the vote after campaigning heavily on promises to restore security, tighten immigration controls and strengthen law enforcement.
A longtime conservative politician often compared to U.S. President Donald Trump, Kast built his campaign around themes of public safety and national sovereignty. His platform included pledges to expand police powers, accelerate deportations of undocumented migrants and strengthen border enforcement measures.
Chile has experienced a noticeable rise in organized crime in recent years, a trend that has unsettled a country historically known for relatively low levels of violence compared with many of its regional neighbors. The issue, combined with growing frustration over illegal immigration, became central topics in the 2025 campaign.
Kast has frequently praised the aggressive crime-fighting tactics implemented by Nayib Bukele, whose administration in El Salvador has launched sweeping security operations against gangs.
During the campaign period, Kast visited a massive prison complex in El Salvador capable of holding tens of thousands of inmates, signaling his interest in adopting similarly hardline policies in Chile.
The new president has also proposed criminalizing illegal entry into the country, expanding deportation programs and building stronger barriers along Chile’s northern border to prevent unauthorized crossings.
Despite his decisive electoral victory, Kast’s path to the presidency was not always assured. In the 2021 election he narrowly lost the runoff vote to Boric after critics raised concerns about his conservative social views and his past statements praising the legacy of former military ruler Augusto Pinochet.
At the time, many voters rejected Kast’s positions opposing abortion and same-sex marriage, helping propel Boric to power. Four years later, however, the national political climate had shifted considerably as economic challenges and public safety concerns reshaped voter priorities.
Kast’s presidency also reflects broader political trends unfolding across Latin America. Several countries in the region have recently elected right-leaning leaders after periods of leftist governance, including Argentina under Javier Milei.
Observers say the shift coincides with renewed geopolitical competition in the Western Hemisphere as the United States seeks to strengthen alliances with ideologically aligned governments.
Kast has signaled interest in rebuilding closer ties with Washington after relations cooled under Boric’s administration. The outgoing Chilean leader had openly criticized the leadership style of U.S. President Donald Trump and described it as imperial in tone, creating friction between the two governments.
Tensions escalated further during the transition period when Kast abruptly ended cooperation with the outgoing administration over a proposed submarine cable project intended to connect Chile with China. The project had drawn criticism from U.S. officials concerned about Beijing’s expanding influence in global communications infrastructure.
Kast has largely avoided detailed public statements on several controversial international issues but has expressed support for U.S. operations targeting authoritarian governments in the region. He also praised the American-led mission that resulted in the capture of former Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro.
As Kast begins his presidency, analysts say the first months of his administration will be crucial. Although he enjoys strong electoral support, Chile’s Congress remains politically divided, meaning the new government may face challenges passing major legislation.
Political risk analyst Mariano Machado of the intelligence firm Verisk Maplecroft said the administration’s ability to establish a clear direction during its first 100 days could shape its effectiveness over the next four years.
“If there is momentum and a clear roadmap early on, the political establishment often falls into line or at least avoids obstructing the government’s priorities,” Machado said. “If that clarity doesn’t appear in the first hundred days, the opposite dynamic tends to emerge.”
For Kast, the challenge now shifts from campaigning to governing. His supporters view his victory as a mandate to restore order and reshape Chile’s political direction, while critics remain wary of how his policies could affect civil liberties, social rights and the country’s political balance.
With the inauguration complete and a new Cabinet in place, Chile enters a new political chapter—one that may redefine the country’s domestic priorities and its role in the evolving landscape of Latin American politics.
Original article
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