Chile's new president José Antonio Kast has begun work on a border barrier just five days after being sworn into office, marking a significant commitment to his campaign pledge to curb illegal immigration. On Monday, he visited the construction site along the northern border with Peru, where workers were digging a trench that represents the initial phase of this project.
The current construction is modest, consisting of a shallow trench cut into the arid landscape of the Atacama desert. Kast hailed the undertaking as a crucial step towards building a 'sovereign Chile,' claiming illegal immigration, drug trafficking, and organized crime have 'violated' the country.
His proposal for a border barrier resembles U.S. President Donald Trump's stance on immigration, reflecting his administration's intention to instate strict immigration controls. Only a small section of the proposed barrier has been planned, which aims to stretch approximately 180km along the border with Peru, encompassing a further 900km with Bolivia, though the current administration has indicated that only half of this length will be fortified.
Kast's election represents a sharp rightward shift in Chile's politics, signaling a departure from the previous administration led by leftist Gabriel Boric. His focus on illegal immigration and security has resonated with many Chileans, particularly in light of a dramatic rise in the foreign population—up from just over 600,000 in 2015 to more than 1.5 million in 2024, according to World Bank data.
He claims that approximately 336,000 of these are undocumented migrants, many of whom are fleeing economic instability in Venezuela. With property and crime concerns swelling, Santiago and other major cities have seen public unease over rising immigration flow.
As border construction continues, Kast’s administration is poised to adopt a hardline approach similar to Trump’s, with supporters seen donning 'Make Chile Great Again' hats, signaling a shared vision for immigration policies.
