Conservative Jose Antonio Kast has been elected as Chile’s next president, defeating his communist opponent and joining Latin America’s rightward surge.
Kast, a conservative hardliner and supporter of President Trump, won over 58 percent of the vote in a runoff against leftist candidate Jeannette Jara, who received less than 42 percent, with more than 99 percent of the ballots counted.
“Here, no individual won, no party won, Chile won, and hope won,” Kast told supporters during his victory speech on Sunday evening.
”The hope of living without fear,” he continued. “That fear that torments families.”
Gracias Chile.
A trabajar! pic.twitter.com/WsushQjR1D— José Antonio Kast Rist ️ (@joseantoniokast) December 15, 2025
Speaking at an election night rally, Jara admitted that “democracy has spoken loud and clear.”
“I have communicated with Jose Antonio Kast and wished him success for the good of Chile,” she declared.
️⚧️ | CHILE LE DIJO NO AL COMUNISMO: Jeannette Jara le concede la victoria al derechista José Antonio Kast en un discurso donde una bandera trans le tapa la cara. pic.twitter.com/LoU9Mf71ev
— La Derecha Diario (@laderechadiario) December 14, 2025
Among his signature policies are deporting illegal immigrants, deploying the military to high-crime areas, and embracing pro-market economics.
“When we tell an irregular migrant that they are breaking the law and must leave our country if they ever want the chance to return, we mean it,” Kast said.
BREAKING: THOUSANDS of right-wing Chileans have SURGED to the streets celebrating tonight’s landslide victory of Jose Kast over the Communist candidate in the presidential election.
Socialism is being kicked out of power.
NATIONALISM!
POPULISM!
It is rising, EVERYWHERE! pic.twitter.com/INQ9yJAJHP
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) December 15, 2025
”We must show great firmness against crime, organised crime, impunity and disorder.”
The campaign was Kast’s third run for the Chilean presidency, having previously lost in the run-off to communist Gabriel Boric back in 2021.
Pro-life, pro-family Catholic politician José Antonio Kast, a father of nine, has won Chile’s presidential election, defeating his communist rival. pic.twitter.com/ADiYQYn2Te
— Sachin Jose (@Sachinettiyil) December 14, 2025
Kast was congratulated by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who is widely seen as the administration’s lead on Latin America.
“Congratulations to Chilean President-Elect [Jose Antonio Kast] on his victory,” Rubio said.
“The United States looks forward to partnering with his administration to strengthen regional security and revitalize our trade relationship.”
Congratulations to Chilean President-Elect @JoseAntonioKast on his victory. The United States looks forward to partnering with his administration to strengthen regional security and revitalize our trade relationship.
— Secretary Marco Rubio (@SecRubio) December 14, 2025
A country of some 20 million people on South America’s Pacific coast, Chile has long been one of the region’s most stable and economically successful nations.
This success is shaped largely by the market reforms introduced under Augusto Pinochet and largely retained by successive democratic governments.
It is also a major exporter of copper and lithium, giving it strategic economic importance and an outsized influence in global commodities markets.
