Kast’s diplomatic tour, which included prior stops in Lima and Buenos Aires, focused heavily on joint action against narcotrafficking, organized crime, and irregular immigration. Discussions with Peru’s Foreign Minister Hugo de Zela emphasized the urgency of a collective response to these intertwined issues, given Peru’s similar or more severe immigration challenges.
The security agenda also featured prominently during the Ecuador visit amid the country’s record-high homicide rates exceeding 8,400 in 2025. Both leaders agreed on more integrated measures to counter transnational criminal networks that undermine governance and public safety. Noboa’s administration has pursued militarization tactics, but acknowledged the need for cooperative regional frameworks to address root causes.
Domestically, Kast’s campaign pledges include expelling over 300,000 undocumented migrants from Chile with a phased approach, and legal reforms to criminalize unauthorized entry. His party’s austere fiscal plans aim to support sustainable social benefits alongside enhanced border and internal security operations.
Chile’s incoming administration thus places regional cooperation at the center of its migration and security policies, signaling a rightward political shift consistent with conservative trends across Bolivia and Ecuador. The success of these efforts will depend on multilateral consensus and the political will of neighboring countries under evolving geopolitical pressures from the United States and regional actors.
This article was curated and published as part of our South American energy market coverage.
