Chile May Elect First Hard-Right Leader Since Pinochet

A wave of public fear over crime and immigration could propel José Antonio Kast into Chile's presidency. Voters head to the polls on Sunday. Kast, a hard-right candidate, is now the favorite to win. If successful, he would become Chile's first leader from the far right since the military dictatorship of Augusto Pinochet ended over 30 years ago. Kast's campaign has focused heavily on two issues: reducing illegal immigration and tackling violent crime. This message has resonated with many Chileans concerned about security and social change. The election marks a potential political shift for Chile, a nation long seen as one of Latin America's most stable democracies.