Chile’s New President Moves Quickly to Build Border Wall, Echoing Trump’s Approach
ARICA, Chile (AP) – Less than a week into his presidency, Chile’s newly elected José Antonio Kast has begun implementing a key campaign promise: constructing a barrier along the country’s northern border with Peru. The move, unveiled Monday at the Chacalluta border crossing, signals a sharp rightward turn for Chile and echoes the immigration policies of former U.S. President Donald Trump.
Kast, who assumed office earlier this year, described the project as a “milestone” for Chile, vowing to close the border to illegal immigration, drug trafficking, and organized crime. Initial work involves digging a trench, with plans for a broader “Border Shield” encompassing fences, drone surveillance, and increased military presence.
The rapid action reflects Kast’s commitment to a hardline stance on immigration, a central theme of his campaign. Chile has seen its foreign population double between 2017 and 2024, with an estimated 300,000 foreigners currently residing in the country without proper documentation, many of whom are Venezuelan.
This influx has coincided with rising concerns about security. While Chile maintains relatively low homicide rates compared to other nations in the region, reports of carjackings, kidnappings, and contract killings – crimes previously rare in the country – have increased, fueling public anxiety and prompting some Chileans to blame the new arrivals. Criminal gangs originating from Venezuela and other countries are believed to be contributing to the rise in crime.
Kast’s election marks Chile’s most significant shift to the right since the restoration of democracy in 1990, following 17 years of military rule. He previously campaigned in support of Gen. Augusto Pinochet, a controversial figure in Chilean history.
The president has already utilized emergency powers to issue a series of decrees aimed at strengthening border security and accelerating the deportation of undocumented immigrants.
Follow AP’s coverage of Latin America and the Caribbean: https://apnews.com/hub/latin-america