The Ecuadorian president accused Petro’s government of failing to fight against drug trafficking and decided to double tariffs on Colombian products. Both governments have decided to recall their ambassadors as a protest measure.

In less than three weeks in office, Kast has moved to criminalize migration, raise fuel prices, repeal environmental decrees, and halt the construction of memorial sites commemorating the dictatorship’s atrocities.

During his first week as president of Chile, the ultra-conservative leader has also ordered tax cuts and launched talks with the United States to explore the mining of rare earth metals.

Kast faces a complex challenge ahead: he has promised to align the government with the Trump administration, but China is Chile’s main trading partner. Furthermore, he does not have a secure parliamentary majority, so his government will have to be one of compromise.

Authorities have not yet managed to control all the fires. Experts warn that drought, strong winds, aggressive human intervention in nature, and climate change have created a perfect scenario for disaster.

Kast’s agenda will not eliminate unrest but may postpone it for a while, only to sharpen its eventual return to the streets.

As disheartening as this reality may be, it is important to remember that history is not a straight line but a series of changing planes and cycles. The processes of emancipation carry on.

Progressive forces face a fundamental challenge: redefining a global project for the country, revitalizing grassroots organizations, and resolving the always thorny issue of political direction and leadership.

José Antonio Kast, who has promised historic tax cuts and a tougher immigration policy, will be Chile’s next president. Center-left candidate Jeanette Jara has conceded defeat.

Chileans will head to the second round of presidential elections on December 14 and choose between two candidates which appear to be on opposite ends of the ideological spectrum

Among the candidates most likely to win the first round is leftist Jeannette Jara, though she is closely followed by three candidates from the right and far right with considerable popular support.

Marita, whose father was killed by Pinochet’s military dictatorship in Chile in 1976, sails toward Gaza to break the Israeli blockade.