‘I can’t think of a place more pristine’: 133,000 hectares of Chilean Patagonia preserved after local fundraising

After a local fundraising effort, 133,000 hectares of the Cochamó Valley in Chilean Patagonia have been preserved. Led by the NGO Puelo Patagonia, the $78 million purchase protects the pristine wilderness from logging, damming, and development. The land, officially handed over to Fundación Conserva Puchegüín on December 9th, is home to diverse ecosystems, including ancient alerce forests. The preservation effort was spurred by community opposition to a hydroelectric project and vacation home development in 2012. The protected area serves as a vital biological corridor, connecting to surrounding protected lands in Chile and Argentina.

After a local fundraising effort, 133,000 hectares of the Cochamó Valley in Chilean Patagonia have been preserved. Led by the NGO Puelo Patagonia, the $78 million purchase protects the pristine wilderness from logging, damming, and development. The land, officially handed over to Fundación Conserva Puchegüín on December 9th, is home to diverse ecosystems, including ancient alerce forests. The preservation effort was spurred by community opposition to a hydroelectric project and vacation home development in 2012. The protected area serves as a vital biological corridor, connecting to surrounding protected lands in Chile and Argentina.

Far-right candidate Jose Antonio Kast of the Republican Party won Chile's presidential election on December 14, 2025, defeating center-left candidate Jeannette Jara. Kast secured 58% of the vote, marking his first successful presidential bid after previous attempts. Jara, representing the Unity for Chile coalition, conceded defeat, and Kast hailed the victory as a mandate to implement his political agenda. The election represents a shift to the right in Chile, following a trend of right-wing victories in Latin American countries like Argentina and Ecuador. Kast's win also marks a comeback after his defeat in the 2021 election by outgoing President Gabriel Boric.

Chile is holding a presidential runoff election on Sunday, December 15, 2025, between left-wing Jeannette Jara and right-wing José Antonio Kast. The election is occurring amidst deep polarization and growing concerns about security and immigration. Kast, representing the Republican Party, is predicted to win, signaling a potential conservative shift for Chile, following similar trends in other Latin American countries. While Jara received the most votes in the first round, Kast is expected to consolidate right-wing votes in the runoff. The main issues driving voters are a surge in violent crime, attributed to international criminal networks, and the presence of over 300,000 undocumented migrants.

Chile is holding a presidential runoff election on Sunday between far-right candidate José Antonio Kast and former labor minister Jeannette Jara. Kast, who is favored to win, has campaigned on promises of stricter immigration control and building a border wall. While Jara led in the first round, right-wing candidates collectively received more votes. Compulsory voting, a recent change, introduces uncertainty as a large bloc of previously disengaged voters could swing the election. The support of Franco Parisi's voters, who are politically disengaged, is also uncertain, as he did not endorse either candidate. Polls suggest Kast is likely to win, capitalizing on public concerns about security and migration.

Rising crime rates across Latin America are shifting political landscapes, with security becoming a primary concern for voters. In Chile, a surge in violent crime, driven by international criminal groups, is pushing the country towards right-wing politics ahead of a presidential election on December 13, 2025. This fear extends beyond Chile, as organized crime has increased across the region, impacting countries like Costa Rica and Ecuador. Polls indicate that security is the top voter concern in at least eight Latin American countries, leading to demands for stricter policies. This has made El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele, known for his tough-on-crime approach, a popular figure.

In Chile, rising crime concerns have become a central issue in the 2025 presidential election between far-right Jose Antonio Kast and center-left Jeannette Jara. Public anxiety about violence has increased, with polls showing crime as a top voter concern. Research indicates that Chileans' fear of crime is double the global average. This trend potentially benefits Kast, whose platform focuses on combating organized crime and restoring order. Voters will head to the polls on Sunday to choose between the two candidates, whose campaigns have largely focused on addressing the deteriorating sense of public safety.