Far-right politician Jose Antonio Kast, known for his open support for the Israeli regime and for being the son of a former Nazi official, has won Chile’s presidential election, sparking controversy both domestically and internationally.

In Chile’s presidential race, Jose Antonio Kast emerged victorious, securing first place with his hardline rhetoric and ultra-conservative policies. Kast is set to take office from outgoing President Gabriel Boric, who is known for his strong criticism of the Zionist regime and for suspending diplomatic relations following the events of October 7, 2023.

Throughout his campaign, Kast targeted Boric’s foreign policy, describing the severing of ties with the Zionist regime as “ideological and irresponsible,” and pledged to reverse those decisions. In a post on social media platform X in March 2024, Kast accused Boric of “antisemitism” and sharply criticized Chile’s decision to exclude the Zionist regime from an international defense exhibition.

Kast has openly voiced his support for the Zionist regime, stating that he “fully and unconditionally” condemned Hamas’ actions on October 7, 2023. He described the Boric administration’s decision to recall Chile’s ambassador from the occupied territories as “a new embarrassment for Chile.” In April 2024, citing Iran’s attack on the Zionist regime, Kast escalated regional threat rhetoric and accused the government of weakness and inexperience.

Kast’s victory has also reignited debate over his family background. His father, Michael Kast, is documented to have been a member of the National Socialist German Workers’ Party (NSDAP) in Nazi Germany in 1942. Kast has previously defended his father, claiming his involvement was due to compulsory military service.

According to official results, Kast won 58 percent of the vote in the second round of the election, defeating his rival, who conceded and congratulated him. Known for his far-right, conservative, and Catholic identity, Kast is widely described as Chile’s most right-wing president since the end of Augusto Pinochet’s dictatorship.

During his campaign, Kast pledged to tighten security policies, crack down on crime, and deport hundreds of thousands of irregular migrants, most of them Venezuelans. He is also expected to pursue a sharp shift in foreign policy, particularly regarding relations with the Zionist regime, marking a clear departure from the Boric era. (ILKHA)