Chile Elects Conservative President with Controversial Views on Venezuela

Chile, recognized as one of China’s longstanding partners in Latin America, has recently elected a hard-line conservative president, José Antonio Kast, who is openly supportive of military action against Venezuela’s socialist government, a significant ally of China.

While the Chinese Communist Party has expressed a welcoming stance towards President-elect Kast, it’s essential for him to govern based on the principles he campaigned on, as there’s quite a bit at stake during his administration.

Chile ranks at the top for copper production and is also the second-largest producer of lithium, both of which are critical minerals with the potential to influence the global green energy sector.

Kast entered the December presidential election after previously losing to President Gabriel Boric in 2021. This time, he secured an astonishing victory against communist candidate Janet Jara, winning in all regions of Chile. His campaign emphasized strengthening border security, limiting immigration, promoting “popular capitalism,” and tackling crime.

Although foreign policy didn’t dominate his campaign, Kast did express admiration for right-wing leaders in the region. After his election, he warmly congratulated former President Trump, noting their shared values during his initial international visit to Argentina, where he was greeted by President Javier Milei.

During a visit to Argentina’s capital, Kast made a notable comment regarding Venezuela, affirming his support for military intervention to remove President Nicolás Maduro from power, a leader who is a significant oil supplier to China.

“We’re a small country, so obviously we can’t intervene,” Kast stated. “But if someone does, it should be seen as addressing a major issue not just for us, but for all of Latin America.”

He also asserted that many South American leaders find Venezuela’s current situation unacceptable.

In the prior presidential campaign, Kast had called for the expulsion of Cuba’s diplomatic representative, an ally of both Venezuela and China, citing ongoing human rights violations. However, under Boric’s administration, Chile shut down the Venezuelan embassy in 2024, resisting Kast’s suggestions, yet maintaining the condemnation of China’s leftist allies. Despite this, Kast opposed shutting down the Chinese embassy due to economic ties, which might explain the Chinese foreign ministry’s friendly reception of his victory.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun pointed out that Chile was the first South American nation to establish diplomatic connections with the new China, emphasizing that relations have flourished over 55 years, achieving fruitful cooperation across various sectors.

China intends to enhance its collaboration with the new Chilean government, looking to bolster their comprehensive strategic partnership and benefit both nations.

The cordial exchanges mask a deeply entrenched economic relationship that has persisted even under the previous “centre-right” administrations. Former president Sebastián Piñera was instrumental in advancing ties, positioning Chile as a “belt and road pioneer,” and welcoming significant investments from China, especially in lithium.

In contrast, Kast’s conservative outlook may introduce challenges for China’s ambitions, particularly as he navigates the complex geopolitical landscape. Political analysts note that the mineral industry poses a significant challenge, forcing Kast to reconcile the free-market approach that favored China under Piñera with Boric’s more interventionist policies that aimed to nationalize key resources like lithium.

Moreover, Boric has publicly acknowledged the necessity for Chile to lessen its economic dependence on China, highlighting that a significant portion of Chile’s exports—around 40%—currently goes to China.

As the geopolitical tensions between the U.S. and China rise, Kast’s administration may face pressure to deepen ties with the U.S. in mineral supply chains, which could provoke a backlash from China.

While Kast’s administration is unlikely to adopt a purely anti-China stance, it remains uncertain how much Beijing will be willing to cooperate with a government that may lean towards a more U.S.-friendly posture.

In developing policies, Kast aims to diversify Chile’s economy away from strict reliance on copper, proposing to explore other minerals like uranium, cobalt, and indium to better engage internationally. His approach reflects a nuanced understanding that while immediate severance from China is impractical, there may be a need for strategic shifts.

As Kast prepares to take office in 2026, surrounded by like-minded conservative leaders in South America, the potential for recalibrating Chile’s economic relationships, especially concerning China, may unfold in intriguing ways.