Chile's ultra-conservative president José Antonio
Photo: Esteban Felix/AP/TT

Chile's ultra-conservative president José Antonio Kast promises sweeping reforms

Chile's new president, José Antonio Kast, promised in his inauguration speech on Wednesday that he would carry out sweeping reforms. He said Chile needs an emergency government to address crises in security, health, education and labor.

Kast raised his key issue of illegal immigration by calling on the military to build barriers along the border with Bolivia and then signed three decrees on the subject.

The conservative father of nine won re-election in December, defeating communist Jeanette Jara. His victory gives U.S. President Donald Trump another ally in Latin America.

Kast is Chile's most hardline leader since the brutal military dictatorship of 1973-1990 under Augusto Pinochet - whom Kast admires and has repeatedly praised.

In this story
AuthorTT News AgencyEnglish edition by Sweden Herald, adapted for our readers
Was this useful?

What do you think?

Keep readingmore from World

All