Introduction
Argentina’s President Javier Milei will meet with Chile’s newly elected president, Antonio Kast, on Tuesday. This encounter is significant due to the ideological affinity between the two leaders, as reported by AFP from an Argentine presidential source.
Background on Antonio Kast
Antonio Kast, a 59-year-old conservative lawyer, emerged victorious in Chile’s recent elections with 58% of the votes, defeating moderate communist candidate Jeannette Jara, who received 42%.
- Kast’s legal background and conservative ideology have shaped his political career.
- His election marks a shift towards the right in South American governments, following similar trends in Paraguay, Peru, and Ecuador.
- Kast is considered the most right-wing candidate since the end of General Augusto Pinochet’s dictatorship 35 years ago.
Kast’s Proposed Policies and Controversies
Milei congratulated Kast on his landslide victory shortly after the results were announced, expressing his joy over Kast’s triumph and emphasizing the regional progress in defending life, liberty, and private property.
Kast’s platform includes restoring law and order, deporting nearly 340,000 undocumented migrants (mostly Venezuelans), and directly tackling crime. His stance on the Pinochet dictatorship (1973-1990) has raised concerns, as he defends the regime responsible for 3,200 deaths and disappearances, along with tens of thousands of torture victims and political prisoners. Kast has even stated that, had Pinochet been alive, he would have voted for him.
Kast’s Transition and Operations Center
Since Monday, Kast has begun operations from “La Moneda Chica” (Little Money Street 88) in the Las Condes district. This location will serve as his operations center until he assumes office on March 11, succeeding leftist President Gabriel Boric for a four-year term.
Key Questions and Answers
- Who is Antonio Kast? Antonio Kast is a conservative lawyer who recently won Chile’s presidential election with 58% of the votes, defeating moderate communist candidate Jeannette Jara.
- What are Kast’s proposed policies? Kast aims to restore law and order, deport undocumented migrants, and directly address crime. He also supports the Pinochet dictatorship, which has been controversial due to its human rights abuses.
- When will Kast assume office? Kast will take office on March 11, succeeding President Gabriel Boric.
- What is “La Moneda Chica”? “La Moneda Chica” (Little Money Street 88) is the operations center for Kast during his transition period before assuming office.
Context and Impact
The meeting between Milei and Kast signifies a growing trend of right-leaning governments in South America. Both leaders share conservative ideologies, emphasizing law and order, private property rights, and traditional values. Kast’s victory in Chile’s elections reflects a shift away from leftist governments that have dominated the region in recent years.
Kast’s support for the Pinochet dictatorship, however, has sparked controversy and raised concerns about human rights. His proposed policies, if implemented, could significantly impact Chile’s approach to immigration and crime. The meeting between Milei and Kast may further solidify the ideological alignment between Argentina and Chile, potentially influencing regional politics and policies.
