José Antonio Kast, the newly elected president of Chile, has been a fierce critic of the Cuban regime.
Perhaps the most memorable moment in that regard was when the founder of the Republican Party showcased a Cuban flag during a debate in 2021, shortly after the social upheaval on the island in 2021, and stated that “we are with the Cuban people” and that “one day freedom will prevail” on the island.
Kast also proposed at that time, amid the electoral contest in which he was defeated by Boric, to eliminate the Chilean embassies in Cuba and Venezuela as part of his strategy to support democracy.
In 2024, Kast also criticized outgoing President Gabriel Boric for smiling alongside Cuban leader Miguel Díaz-Canel, whom he called a "human rights violator."
The new Chilean president will shift the country towards the regional right bloc, which is characterized by its strong opposition to the leftist regimes of Cuba, Nicaragua, and Venezuela.
Kast, 59 years old, arrives at La Moneda on his third attempt, succeeding the leftist Gabriel Boric and defeating the communist Jeanette Jara.
Her agenda focuses on a tough stance on migration and security through the concept of "emergency government."
"Chile is functioning in reverse: criminals are free while honest citizens live in confinement. The Relentless Plan is the firm response that millions of Chileans have been waiting for," he said.
The new president also proposes a tax cut of 6 billion dollars over the 18 months of his administration.
Kast assured that he will be "the president of everyone, without exception" and promised a "real change" in the country.
Kast stated that every citizen will be able to freely decide whether to participate in the recovery and the "rebirth of Chile," and noted that the public has given a clear mandate: they do not want continuity, but rather profound transformations.
In front of thousands of supporters gathered in Santiago, he asked God for "temperance and strength to rise to the occasion" and promised to restore respect for the law.
“Without security, there is no peace; without peace, there is no democracy; and without democracy, there is no freedom. Chile will be free again from crime, anxiety, and fear,” he asserted, emphasizing his focus on order and justice.
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