It is often a point of pride among artists to say how many Movistar Arena stadiums they have filled. On Tuesday afternoon, although there was also music, about 14,000 participants, according to the leadership, came to hear a political speech. Republican José Antonio Cast decided to end his campaign in the space normally used for concerts with a successful convocation, a metaphor for American rallies, but unusual in Chile. “The third time is the charm,” the far-right presidential candidate said, referring to his third attempt to reach La Moneda (2017 and 2021).
His speech focused on the constant lines of practically his entire election campaign: security, immigration control and attacking the government of Gabriel Buric and the left-wing candidate Janet Jara. “Jara is Buric and Buric is Jara. Nothing she says or does can change that. She is the successor to a failed government,” he said to his supporters, who were waving Chilean flags distributed by the Republican team.
The majority of those in attendance, mostly young, middle- and upper-class adults, who – at first glance – are more feminine than male, said they would vote for CAST on Sunday, November 16 because they want a “strong hand” against crime and see Chile as needing “change, radical change.” Those consulted on these proceedings see the liberal Johannes Kaiser as a very extreme bet, and Evelyn Matthey, on the traditional right, as a politician with a proven track record, but with contradictory positions.
Kaiser, according to the latest known polls, is close to supporting Kast, but it would be surprising if it was not the Republican who goes to the runoff with Jara. Mathie, who is wrapping up her campaign on Thursday, like Kaiser himself, has been moved into fourth place by the Liberals.
Kast’s strategy of focusing his campaign on security, immigration control and the economy, and not speaking out on issues of individual freedoms or defending Augusto Pinochet’s dictatorship, as he did in his previous two nominations, was appreciated by some attendees. “I voted invalid in 2021 because CAST seemed too extreme to me, but I think he has become moderate in recent years,” said David Burgos, 27, a nursing technician from the southern city of Punta Arenas. “Now Kaiser is the extremist.” “He is the person who represents me the most, but if any of the three on the right wins, I don’t care,” said Alma Leyva, 48, a banking analyst. “The thing is, Jara will not come out.”
After the Chilean cumbia band Viking 5 lit up the atmosphere with songs usually heard at New Year’s parties and weddings, a video was shown introducing Kast as a politician who has been advocating for years for carabineros and closing borders to stop the entry of illegal immigrants, with video cuts from previous dates where he was seen making statements along these lines. Thousands of attendees clapped and cheered louder than any other issue, such as education or the economy. Margarita Morales, a 68-year-old retiree, reflected the fatigue many foreigners feel. “The doors have been opened so much for immigrants,” he said. “Now when you get into an Uber and a Chilean drives it, you want to hug him.”
Cast, who arrived on stage at 9:00 p.m. Accompanied by his wife, Pia Adriasola, who is an ultra-conservative like himself, he pointed out that 3,000 days ago, with a small group, they submitted their first candidacy for the presidency. The candidate said: “They told us it was impossible, laughed, and belittled us, but here we are: stronger, more mature, and more convinced than ever before.” He added in front of the stadium, which shouted: “You are a reflection of what we have built in these three thousand days.” Among those in attendance were Republican leaders, members of Congress, and candidates for the party’s parliament. And also three mayors from Chilean Vamos, the coalition that officially supports Mathe: José Manuel Palacios (UDI), from La Reina; Gustavo Alessandri (RN), from Zapalar; and Rodrigo Contreras (UDI) from Payne. On two occasions, the Republican emphasized how difficult the road was, where, he said, there were “blows” and “insults,” and he congratulated the “courage” with which his followers defended their ideas.
He said in a speech in which he talked about returning families to the center and ending waiting lists in health centers: “This is not about presidential elections, but about restoring our country.” He said: “We want a country where criminals are afraid and where citizens live free.” In the end, Kast declared himself the winner of the election. Ballot boxes, before the 15-day ban before the elections, are also given to him in the runoff round. He said that this event was the end of the first stage, but then the second round will come on December 14 and they will arrive in La Moneda on March 11, 2026. “Everything will change, everything will be fine,” he stressed. He said goodbye, asking God for strength and wisdom. When he finished his speech, he returned to the microphone to thank his wife and family.
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