Sat Dec 20 19:59:00 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a summary of the text followed by a rewritten news article based on that summary:
Summary:
José Antonio Kast, a hardline conservative with ties to the Pinochet era, has been elected President of Chile. He defeated leftist candidate Jeanette Jara in a runoff election held amidst growing concerns about crime and immigration. Kast’s platform focused on strengthening national security, cracking down on illegal immigration with measures reminiscent of Donald Trump, and returning to a free-market economy. His win signifies a rightward shift in South America, mirroring recent trends in other nations. Kast will face challenges governing with no absolute majority in Congress.
News Article:
Right-Wing Shift Continues as José Antonio Kast Wins Chilean Presidency
Santiago, Chile – December 21, 2025 – José Antonio Kast, a far-right politician with historical links to the Pinochet regime, has been elected President of Chile, marking a significant conservative shift in the South American nation. Kast defeated leftist candidate Jeanette Jara in a runoff election held on December 20th, securing 58% of the vote to Jara’s 41.84%. The election was the first in Chile with mandatory voting and automatic voter registration.
Kast, 59, ran on a platform promising to restore “order, security, and trust,” tapping into growing public anxieties regarding rising crime rates and immigration. His policies include increased border security measures – including border walls and electric fences – reminiscent of former U.S. President Donald Trump’s approach, as well as a crackdown on undocumented immigrants. He also pledged to deploy the military in high-crime areas and build more prisons.
Kast’s victory underscores a broader rightward trend in South America, following recent wins for right-wing leaders in Bolivia, Ecuador, and Argentina’s midterm elections. The rise in organized crime and economic difficulties have been cited as contributing to the disaffection with the more liberal policies of outgoing President Gabriel Boric, who was barred from seeking a second term.
The new President’s past has come under scrutiny, including his admiration for the Pinochet dictatorship and his father’s history as a Nazi party member. While campaigning he assured a return to a free-market economy, with deregulation and corporate tax cuts.
“Chile will once again be free from crime, free from anguish, free from fear,” Kast declared in his victory speech.
Kast will be sworn in on March 11th and faces a divided Congress, posing a significant challenge to implementing his agenda. He has already met with President Boric to discuss the transition.
First Piper 