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Chilean President José Antonio Kast faces mounting pressure and a 24 percent approval rating just eight months into his presidency following a fuel crisis, inflation, and controversial government decrees.
Protests Erupt in Santiago
Kast won the presidency in December 2025 by focusing on illegal immigration and public security, but his administration has since struggled with the rising cost of living. Simón Echavarría, a 30-year-old architect, stated at a march in Santiago that local salaries are roughly 20 percent of European incomes while living costs remain comparable, expressing frustration over measures affecting environmental issues, human rights, and reduced sentences for pedophiles.
Public anger intensified last month after revelations that the government signed decrees cutting sentences for 56 prisoners convicted of crimes ranging from child rape to dictatorship-era human rights violations. Kast acknowledged the decision was an error while continuing to support the undersecretary who signed the decrees.
Fuel Prices and Trucker Strikes
Economic discontent deepened in July when the government declined to use an anti-inflation mechanism to mitigate fuel price hikes caused by the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran. The decision triggered overnight price surges, long lines at gas stations, and recent highway blockades by truckers’ unions demanding relief.
The government responded by submitting a bill to Congress to reverse the planned fuel price increases, which is expected to pass this month. However, citizens remain frustrated with broader economic and social pressures.
Regional Trends and Budget Cuts
Similar challenges face other conservative and right-wing leaders across the Americas dealing with inflation and rising fuel costs, including Javier Milei in Argentina and Keiko Fujimori in Peru. Patricia Pereira, a 30-year-old veterinarian participating in the Santiago protest, expressed concern over proposed cuts to science funding and the potential questioning of free education.
Public demonstrations in Santiago are expected to intensify as the government pushes a budget proposal through Congress that includes cuts to education, culture, science, and various social programs.
