Conservative José Kast Defeats Communist in Chilean Presidential Election

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio congratulated the winner, saying that his administration’s priorities would align with those of the United States.

Chile's presidential candidate Jose Antonio Kast (R) of the Partido Republicano party and his wife Maria Pia Adriasola (L) wave national flags as they celebrate the results of the presidential runoff election in Santiago, Chile, on Dec. 14, 2025. Eitan Abramovich/AFP via Getty Images

Right-wing candidate José Antonio Kast has been elected president of Chile after securing a resounding victory in a runoff election against a Communist Party candidate.

With more than 95 percent of the votes counted, Kast, a member of the Republican Party of Chile, won more than 58 percent of the vote. His leading rival, Jeannette Jara, a member of the Communist Party of Chile, won 41 percent.