Jose Antonio Kast, a staunch conservative, has won Chile's presidential election with a decisive margin, marking the country's most right-leaning leadership in over three decades. Kast defeated his leftist rival Jeannette Jara, promising tough measures on crime, immigration, and economic revitalization. His victory comes amid widespread public concern over rising crime and slow economic growth, and follows a regional trend of right-wing wins in Latin America.

Kast's campaign drew support from voters frustrated with the previous administration's inability to address security and constitutional reforms. Celebrations among his supporters included references to Chile's controversial past under Augusto Pinochet, which Kast has defended. Critics fear a return to repressive policies and worry about his stance on social issues like abortion and his family's Nazi history. Kast now faces the challenge of delivering on his promises to restore order and unite a deeply divided nation.