• José Antonio Kast wins Chile's presidential election with over 58% of the vote.
• The election marks the most right-wing government in Chile since the dictatorship of Augusto Pinochet.
• Kast's campaign focused heavily on crime, immigration, and economic issues, resonating with voters concerned about rising insecurity.
• His victory follows trends across Latin America, with right-wing candidates gaining ground in recent years.
• Many Chileans supported Kast as a response to dissatisfaction with the previous leftist government led by President Gabriel Boric.

In a decisive runoff election, José Antonio Kast has been elected president of Chile, winning with approximately 58% of the vote against leftist Communist Party candidate Jeannette Jara, who received around 41%. This marks a significant political shift, reflecting a broader trend of rising right-wing sentiment across Latin America, following similar victories in countries like Argentina and Ecuador, according to thejakartapost, indiatimes, and aa.

Kast's victory is notable not only for his embrace of right-wing ideologies, including admiration for the former dictator Augusto Pinochet, but also for his campaign's focus on public security amid increasing crime rates and concerns regarding immigration. With a promise to deport illegal migrants and bolster security forces, Kast's hardline platform resonated with voters feeling insecure about their safety and the state of the economy, according to Al Jazeera, Le Monde, and Los Angeles Times.

The turnout reflects a shift in public sentiment, with Kast consolidating support from various right-wing factions that together surpassed the leftist votes, echoing dissatisfaction with Jara and the policies of the incumbent Government of President Gabriel Boric. Many voters have expressed that their choice was driven by fears of destabilization, rather than a strong alignment with Kast's conservative values, according to South China Morning Post and NPR.

As the first president post-Pinochet to openly support the dictatorship, Kast's administration is poised to influence Chile's political climate significantly, potentially restoring policies reminiscent of past governance that has raised human rights concerns among many. His upcoming inauguration on March 11, 2026, is eagerly anticipated by supporters contrasting sharply with the fears expressed by opponents, who worry about a regression to authoritarian practices, as detailed by AA, Le Monde, and BBC.