José Antonio Kast’s victory in Chile’s presidential election, with nearly 58 per cent of the vote against Carolina Jara’s 42 per cent, marks more than a routine change in leadership. For many Chileans, particularly within the country’s large Palestinian community, the result has been received with a mix of concern, caution, and unanswered questions about what lies ahead.

Kast is preparing to take office after a period in which outgoing President Gabriel Boric placed the Palestinian cause at the center of Chile’s ethical and diplomatic discourse. Under Boric, Chile’s support for Palestinian rights was not abstract or symbolic; it was voiced clearly in international forums and resonated deeply with Palestinian-Chileans who saw their history and identity reflected in state policy. 

With the rise of a far-right president known for his close alignment with Israel and sharp criticism of that stance, many now wonder whether this support and visibility will endure or quietly recede under the new administration.

According to the Chilean former ambassador Nelson Hadad, the election result reflects a broader transformation in Latin American politics; “The outcome signals a structural rightward shift in Latin America, taking into account developments in Argentina, Bolivia, and the election of other new presidents. At the same time, Brazil and Colombia remain anchored in the left-wing camp. The traditional left–right dichotomy is no longer fully operative, as segments of the left voted for Kast, including the People’s Party, a centrist-left, middle-class-based formation that obtained more than two million votes, a substantial share of which likely transferred to Kast.”

This says everything about politics in 2025:

Far-right, pro-US candidate José Antonio Kast won Chile’s presidential election.

Kast is a staunch defender of the Pinochet dictatorship, and the son of a German Nazi official.

He also is extremely pro-Israel and anti-Palestinian.

© Middle East Monitor