Chile has made history by electing far-right candidate José Antonio Kast as its new president, marking the country's most dramatic political shift since the end of military rule in 1990. The 58% victory over left-wing coalition candidate Jeannette Jara came after a campaign dominated by heated debates about crime rates and immigration policies.
🔍 Why it matters: This third-time presidential contender's win signals a major shakeup in Chilean politics, with young voters particularly divided over Kast's promises to tighten border controls and overhaul public security measures.
🌎 Global context: Analysts are watching how this result might influence other Latin American elections in 2026. Kast's victory speech emphasized "restoring order" while critics warn of potential social policy rollbacks.
📈 Economic angle: Investors are cautiously optimistic about market stability, though Kast's plans to renegotiate lithium contracts (Chile is the world's top producer) could impact global tech supply chains.
