José Antonio Kast was sworn in as Chile’s president, marking the country’s most significant shift to the right since democracy returned in 1990.

The ceremony in Valparaíso was attended by international leaders, including Argentina’s Javier Milei, Spain’s King Felipe VI, and U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau.

Kast, a Trump-inspired conservative, won the 2025 election in a landslide over communist candidate Jeannette Jara, campaigning on fighting crime and curbing illegal immigration.

His presidency comes amid rising U.S.–China rivalry in Latin America, with Chile balancing relations between its main trading partner, China, and the United States, the AP has reported.

Kast has emphasized closer alignment with the White House while maintaining the ability to negotiate with other international partners.