Chile’s Kast unveils migrant deportation plan, prioritizes security and reforms

Kast made the announcement during his first nationwide broadcast on Wednesday night, in which he outlined the main priorities of his administration following his first month in office. Kast, who won a sweeping victory in December’s presidential runoff election, successfully ran a campaign that called for the mass deportation of illegal migrants and a crackdown on growing violent crime in Chile among its top promises.

He announced plans for audits across government agencies and signed several presidential decrees, including measures aimed at tightening border security in Chile’s northern desert region.

Kast also pledged stronger action against crime, corruption, and irregular migration. The new president took office as Chile faced rising concerns about public safety and economic uncertainty linked to global market turbulence.

Protests were reported in Santiago and Valparaiso on inauguration day. Demonstrators clashed with police, who used water cannons and tear gas to disperse crowds.

Security concerns were further highlighted by a shooting earlier in the southern city of Puerto Varas that left a police officer critically injured. Kast dispatched his newly appointed security minister, Trinidad Steinert, to the city following the incident.

The administration planned to submit a tax reform bill in April that included lowering corporate taxes from 27% to 23% over four years and introducing tax credits designed to encourage employment.

Chile also needed to navigate a complex international environment. As the world’s largest copper producer, the country maintained strong trade ties with China, its main buyer of the metal, while also facing growing security engagement from the United States in the region.

Analysts said the new government would need to balance these geopolitical pressures while advancing domestic priorities. Kast identified security, immigration, and economic policy as key areas his administration intended to address in its first months.

Earlier, Qazinform News Agency reported that in December President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev had sent a congratulatory message to José Antonio Kast on the occasion of his election as President of Chile.