The resounding victory of José Antonio Kast, leader of the Republican Party, in Chile's presidential runoff not only marks the return of the right to power in the South American country but also represents a significant boost for the foreign policy and ideological vision that President Javier Milei seeks to implement on the continent. Indeed, this result promises to redraw the geopolitical map of South America.
The relationship between the two leaders dates back a long time and is characterized by a palpable ideological affinity. Even before the Chilean elections, Milei had expressed his support for Kast, with whom he shares a similar vision of the state in general. After the results, which gave Kast a victory with a solid 58% of the votes, surpassing all projections, Milei's reaction was immediate and effusive. Through his social media, the head of state celebrated the "overwhelming victory" of his "friend," assuring that they would work "side by side" so that "America embraces the ideas of freedom," the slogan that unites the two political leaders.
Kast's victory in Chile, coupled with the right-wing governments in Ecuador (with Daniel Noboa), Paraguay (with Santiago Peña), Bolivia (with Rodrigo Paz), and Argentina itself, reconfigures the South American political map, creating a new conservative bloc that seeks to differentiate itself from the progressive and socialist administrations of Brazil and Colombia. This ideological unity could present an opportunity for greater integration and bilateral cooperation in key areas that have remained stagnant due to conceptual differences.
During the campaign, Kast had already outlined his vision of a "grand strategic alliance" with Argentina, and the personal and political affinity between Milei and the president-elect of Chile suggests that communication channels will be direct and based on trust. In this sense, a 180-degree turn is expected in the relationship between Argentina and Chile, which in Milei's first two years was marked by deep ideological differences between him and Gabriel Boric.
Despite the shared optimism and ideological honeymoon, the bilateral relationship will have to navigate sensitive issues that have historically caused friction and require a delicate diplomatic approach. The potential point of greatest friction lies in Kast's previous nationalist stances on territorial delimitation, as in 2020, for example, Kast generated controversy by reacting to a UN-validated Argentine map, tweeting that "Argentina has already stolen enough territory from us Chileans," using the hashtag #TheAntarcticIsChilean. These statements, which revive old border conflicts, have led some sectors in Argentina to label him "anti-Argentine" and warn of the risks his presidency could pose to Argentine sovereignty in Patagonia and Antarctica.
The way the new Kast administration handles these historical territorial disputes will be crucial in determining whether ideological harmony prevails over nationalism. Nevertheless, expectations point to pragmatism, economic urgency, and alignment on security and defense issues taking precedence on the main agenda. In line with this, the formation of an ultra-right bilateral axis will, in literal terms, seek to promote "life, liberty, and private property" in the region, marking a significant and potentially lasting shift in the foreign policy of both countries for the coming years.
