Chile’s president-elect names staunch abortion opponent as gender equality minister

Chile's president-elect, José Antonio Kast, has appointed Judith Marín, a vocal opponent of abortion, as the Minister of Women and Gender Equality. Marín, a member of a far-right Christian group, has publicly questioned the ministry's future and supports the "natural family." Kast, himself a staunch abortion opponent, announced his cabinet, comprised mostly of right and far-right figures, including two lawyers who previously represented former dictator Augusto Pinochet. The appointments come as Chile's congress debates a bill to decriminalize abortion up to 14 weeks, a law opposed by Kast. His cabinet selection signals a shift towards conservative social values, despite avoiding these topics during his campaign.

Chile's president-elect, Jose Antonio Kast, has appointed two former lawyers of dictator Augusto Pinochet to key ministerial positions. Fernando Barros will serve as defense minister, and Fernando Rabat will head the Ministry of Justice and Human Rights when Kast takes office on March 11. Kast, who admires Pinochet and won the December election, is the first far-right leader in Chile since Pinochet's regime. Pinochet's dictatorship, which lasted from 1973 to 1990, was responsible for the deaths or disappearances of over 3,200 people, as well as the torture and imprisonment of tens of thousands more. The appointments have drawn attention due to the controversial legacy of the Pinochet era.