Americas

Conservative José Kast Sworn in as Chile’s President Following Defeat of Communist

The South American country is set for its most right-leaning government in decades, with the new leader politically aligned with U.S. President Donald Trump.
Conservative José Kast Sworn in as Chile’s President Following Defeat of Communist
Chile's President Jose Antonio Kast and his wife Maria Pia Adriasola wave to supporters from the balcony of La Moneda presidential palace after his inauguration in Santiago, Chile, on March 11, 2026. Esteban Felix/AP Photo
Rachel Roberts
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Conservative José Antonio Kast was sworn in as Chile’s president on Wednesday, following his landslide election victory against a communist candidate in December.

Kast, who leads the Republican Party of Chile, took the oath of office at the National Congress in the coastal city of Valparaíso, with the ceremony attended by dozens of heads of state and high profile individuals.

Rachel Roberts
Rachel Roberts
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Rachel Roberts is a London-based journalist with a background in local then national news. She focuses on health and education stories and has a particular interest in vaccines and issues impacting children.