Chilean President Addresses United Nations

During his inaugural speech at the United Nations General Assembly, Chile’s President José Antonio Kast criticized the socialist policies of his predecessors and assured potential investors that a conservative Chile offers a promising future.

“I have come to this forum to declare that Chile is back. This isn’t just a slogan; it reflects the reality of a country that is starting to move towards development,” Kast stated. He has been in office for about six months, succeeding the more left-leaning Gabriel Boric.

Kast was among several conservative leaders from the Americas who spoke at the Assembly’s opening day, including U.S. President Donald Trump and Peru’s President Keiko Fujimori. The presence of more right-leaning governments shifted the focus of discussions from traditional topics like climate change and global governance to concerns surrounding organized crime, the protection of national sovereignty, and the fight against terrorism.

In his address, Kast highlighted his administration’s strict border security measures, which have led to a number of deportations of undocumented individuals. He pledged increased support for law enforcement and emphasized a commitment to combating organized crime. Describing Chile as “broken” during the prior socialist administrations, including that of the late Sebastián Piñera, he expressed hope for both his nation and the continent, viewing the upcoming decade as an opportunity for the Western Hemisphere.

Kast painted a grim picture of Chile under previous leadership, which included the significant unrest seen in the Marxist riots of 2019 and 2020. “Chile got stuck. Poor decisions were made. Policies led to higher taxes, more regulations, and obstacles for entrepreneurs,” he explained. “In October 2019, chaos and disorder reigned in our streets.”

He articulated his belief that “Order is not contrary to freedom. Order creates conditions for freedom.” Kast expanded on this, saying that freedom encompasses the right to return home safely, to conduct business without state interference, and to invest without constant regulatory changes. “We have been in office for six months, and we are organizing our house,” he declared.

Kast also emphasized the lift of burdensome investment regulations, along with the significant deportations, asserting, “to enter Chile, you must use the front door, not the window.” His invitation to global investors extends beyond Chile, hinting at a broader promise of progress across Latin America.

He expressed optimism, saying, “Our continent, Latin America… the next decade could be ours.” The president outlined how Latin American governments are starting to collaborate genuinely, not just in declarations, but through tangible action against organized crime, managing migration, and creating development opportunities.

Kast underscored improving relationships with neighboring conservative governments in Peru, Bolivia, and Argentina. He mentioned the removal of Nicolás Maduro, Venezuela’s dictatorial leader, as a significant development. While he affirmed that Chile would engage with Caracas under interim leader Delcy Rodríguez, he refrained from legitimizing her leadership, stating, “Chile will do neither.”

He remarked, “We see reality for what it is, we recognize positive changes, and we offer support.” Referring to Venezuela, he noted, “There is a historic opportunity for it to return to its democratic traditions and mend ties with its dispersed citizens.”

Before the U.S. arrest of Maduro in January, Kast had voiced support for potential military intervention to assist Venezuelans suffering under the dictatorship. “We can’t intervene; we’re a small country,” he said, acknowledging the limits of his nation’s influence. “But if someone takes action, it would resolve a significant issue for us and all of Latin America.”