Fear of crime and migration fuels Chile's swing to the right

José Antonio Kast, a hardline conservative, was elected president of Chile, marking the country's shift to the right, following other Latin American nations. The election took place amidst growing concerns among Chilean voters regarding security, immigration, and crime. Kast's campaign focused on these issues, promising stricter border control, mass deportations of undocumented migrants, and a restoration of order. His victory reflects anxieties about a rapid increase in Chile's foreign-born population, which has grown significantly in recent years. Kast's win places Chile among a growing number of conservative governments in Latin America, potentially aligning with the US on migration and security policies.

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