Ashfaq baig 
Big changes are coming to South America. On Sunday, the people of Chile (Chile’s New Era) made a very important choice. They voted for a new leader. His name is José Antonio Kast. He is known for being very strict. He promises to bring “law and order” back to the country.
This election was not just about one man. It was about safety. For a long time, people in Chile have felt scared. Therefore, they voted for change. Kast won by a large amount. He beat his opponent, Jeannette Jara, by a lot of votes.
In this article, we will explain what happened. We will look at why Kast won. Also, we will explore what this means for the rest of the region.
A Clear Victory
First, let us look at the results. The election happened on Sunday, December 14, 2025. It was a very busy day. Millions of people went to vote.
When the counting was done, the answer was clear. José Antonio Kast got about 58% of the votes. On the other hand, Jeannette Jara got about 42%.
This is a big win. Usually, elections in Chile are very close. However, this time was different. The people spoke loudly. They wanted something new.
Jeannette Jara was the candidate for the left side. She worked with the current government. However, voters were unhappy with how things were going. Therefore, they chose the other side.
Who is José Antonio Kast?
You might be asking, “Who is this new president?” José Antonio Kast is 59 years old. He is a lawyer. Also, he has been in politics for a long time.
He is very conservative. This means he likes traditional values. He is also very religious. Some people call him “ultra-conservative.”
He has run for president before. In 2021, he lost to Gabriel Boric. But he did not give up. He kept working. He built a new political group called the Republican Party.
People know him for his tough talk. He speaks boldly about crime. He says he will use an “iron fist.” This means he will be very hard on criminals. He wants to make sure bad people go to jail.
The Big Issue: Crime
Why did Kast win this time? The answer is simple. It is crime.
Chile used to be one of the safest countries in South America. It was very peaceful. However, things have changed in the last few years.
- Violent Crime: Robberies and attacks have gone up.
- Gangs: New criminal groups have entered the country. One famous gang is called Tren de Aragua.
- Fear: Families are scared to go out at night.
Because of this, people were angry. They felt that the old government was too soft. They wanted someone strong. Kast promised to be that strong person.
He said, “Chile will be free from fear.” This message worked. People want to feel safe in their homes. Therefore, they voted for the man who promised safety.
What Did Kast Promise?
During his campaign, Kast made many big promises. He has a plan to stop crime. Let us look at his main ideas.
1. A Wall on the Border
First, he wants to secure the border. Chile shares a border with Peru and Bolivia. Many people cross this border illegally.
Kast says he will build a physical barrier. He mentioned building ditches. He also wants a wall in some places. In addition, he wants to use technology like drones to watch the line.
2. More Prisons
Second, he wants to build more jails. He promised to create 100,000 new spaces for prisoners.
He looks at other countries for ideas. For example, he likes what El Salvador did. The president there built a huge “mega-prison.” Kast wants to do the same thing in Chile.
3. Deportations Chile’s New Era
Third, he wants to send people home. He says that people who are in Chile illegally must leave.
He is very strict about this. Kast said, “If you break the law, you cannot stay.” He plans to deport thousands of people. He believes this will stop the gangs.
The Shift in South America
This election is part of a bigger story. It is not just happening in Chile. The whole region is changing.
For a few years, many countries chose left-wing leaders. They wanted more social programs. However, now the pendulum is swinging back.
People are choosing right-wing leaders. These leaders focus on “law and order.”
- El Salvador: President Nayib Bukele is very popular. He put many gang members in jail. The country is safer now.
- Argentina: President Javier Milei is also very strict. He focuses on fixing the economy.
- Chile: Now, Kast joins this group.
Voters are tired of problems. They are tired of crime. Therefore, they are picking leaders who act tough. They are willing to give up some freedom for safety.
The Opponent: Jeannette Jara
We should also talk about the person who lost. Jeannette Jara is a member of the Communist Party. She was a minister in the last government.
She tried to talk about other things.
- She talked about better wages.
- She talked about helping the poor.
- She talked about women’s rights.
However, her message did not work well enough. People were too worried about safety. Also, the economy was not doing great.
Many voters blamed her party for the problems. They thought the government was too slow to act. Consequently, they did not vote for her.
After the loss, Jara was polite. She wished Kast good luck. She said, “Democracy has spoken.” This is important. It shows that the country is still stable.
Economic Stagnation
Besides crime, money was also an issue. The economy in Chile has been stuck. This is called “stagnation.”
Prices are high. Jobs are hard to find. People have less money in their pockets.
Kast says he can fix this too. He believes in a “free market.” This means he wants less government rules.
- He wants to lower taxes for companies.
- He wants to cut government spending.
- He says this will create jobs.
Voters hope he is right. They want to be safe, but they also want to have money. Kast has a hard job ahead. He needs to fix both problems at the same time.
Concerns About Human Rights
Not everyone is happy about Kast winning. Some people are worried.
Kast has said some controversial things in the past. He opposes abortion. He also opposes same-sex marriage.
In addition, some people worry about his police plans. They fear the police might become too rough. They worry that innocent people could get hurt.
Critics say that an “iron fist” can be dangerous. It can crush rights. Therefore, many people will be watching him closely. They want to make sure he follows the constitution.
The Transition Period
What happens next? Kast does not become president today. There is a waiting period.
The current president is Gabriel Boric. He will stay in charge until March. This is called the “transition.”
During this time, Kast and Boric will talk. They need to share information. They need to make sure the government keeps running.
Boric called Kast to congratulate him. It was a friendly call. Boric said, “We must put Chile first.” Kast agreed. He invited Boric to work together for an orderly change.
International Reactions
Leaders from other countries are reacting too.
Some are very happy. Javier Milei from Argentina sent a message. He celebrated the win. He called it a victory for freedom.
Others are more quiet. Left-wing leaders in Brazil and Colombia are worried. They do not agree with Kast’s ideas. However, they promise to respect the vote.
The United States also spoke. Secretary of State Marco Rubio sent a message. He said the US looks forward to working with Kast. He mentioned working together on security.
Why This Matters to You
You might live far away from Chile. Why should you care?
This election shows a global trend. People everywhere want safety. When people feel unsafe, they vote for strong leaders.
Also, Chile is a very important country. It produces a lot of copper. It is important for business. If Chile changes, it affects the world economy.
Finally, it teaches us about democracy. People have the power to change their leaders. When they are unhappy, they can vote for something new.
The Road Ahead
Kast will take office in March 2026. He has a lot of work to do.
Kast has to build his team. He has to write new laws. Most importantly, he has to keep his promises.
If crime goes down, people will be happy. They will say they made the right choice. However, if crime stays high, they will be angry again.
Also, he has to work with Congress. His party does not have all the seats. He will need to make friends with other parties. He cannot do everything alone.
A Divided Country
Even though Kast won big, the country is divided. 42% of people voted for the other side. That is almost half the country.
These people are scared of Kast. They worry he will take away their rights. Kast needs to be the president for everyone. Not just the people who voted for him.
In his victory speech, he tried to be kind. He said, “Chile does not move forward divided.” He promised to listen to everyone. We will see if he keeps that promise.
The Role of Young Voters
Young people played a big role too. In the past, young people voted for the left. But this time, many voted for Kast. Chile’s New Era
Why? Because young people are victims of crime too. They have their phones stolen. They are scared on the bus. Chile’s New Era
This shows that safety is not just an issue for old people. It matters to everyone. The youth vote helped Kast win. Chile’s New Era
Read More Articles Click Here. Read Previous Articles Click Here.
About The Author
