José Antonio Castro wins Chilean presidency: Results and details

In a significant political shift within Latin America, José Antonio Cast, the presidential candidate for the right-wing Republican Party, won the runoff election in Chile, becoming the country's new elected president and heralding the start of a new political phase that brings the conservative movement back to power.

Chile's electoral commission announced in an official statement that, after counting 99.33% of the votes in the decisive runoff election, Cast secured victory with 58.18% of the vote, a comfortable margin over his opponent, Janet Jara, the candidate of the ruling left-wing coalition, who received 41.82%. Cast, 59, is scheduled to officially assume office on March 11, 2026, succeeding current President Gabriel Burrique.

The return of the right wing and the political landscape in Chile

The election of José Antonio Caste represents a strong comeback for the conservative right wing in Chile, following the presidency of leftist Gabriel Burrique. Caste is known for his outspoken support of free markets, the rule of law, and adherence to traditional values—an agenda that resonated with a large segment of the electorate seeking security and economic stability. Caste previously ran for president in 2021, winning in the first round but losing to Burrique in the second, making his current victory a restoration of public confidence in his political project.

Regional context and economic challenges

These elections are of paramount importance not only locally, but also across Latin America, a continent experiencing ongoing tension between left-wing and right-wing political currents. The victory of the Republican candidate reflects the voters' desire for a change in the existing economic and social policies, amidst global challenges impacting emerging economies.

The new president is expected to face a number of thorny issues immediately upon taking office, most notably addressing inflation, regulating immigration, strengthening internal security, and managing relations with a parliament often marked by sharp political divisions. Observers believe this outcome will reshape Chile's regional alliances, potentially leading to closer ties with conservative governments both regionally and globally.