“The United States congratulates the President-elect of Chile, Jose Antonio Kast, on his electoral victory,” the message begins. “Under his leadership, we are confident that Chile will advance shared priorities, such as strengthening public safety, ending illegal immigration, and revitalizing our trade relationship.” The message adds that the U.S. remains committed to strengthening alliances in the hemisphere and therefore “looks forward to working closely” with the new administration of Kast, of the Republican Party, who won Sunday with 58.16% of the vote in his third presidential bid. Former Labor Minister Jeannette Jara, of the Communist Party, received 41.84%. She accepted defeat.

The presidential campaign in Chile was marked by economic issues, crime, and immigration, due to the increase in migrants, mainly from Venezuela.

Kast will assume office on March 11. Among his plans is cutting $6 billion in spending, although it is unclear how he will implement his plans.

The current president of Chile, Gabriel Boric, acknowledged Kast's victory, calling him to congratulate him.

“I offer you my congratulations, because you have obtained a clear victory and you have been elected president of the Republic of Chile and, therefore, of all Chileans,” Boric said in a phone call released to the press.

Kast is described as an extreme right-winger and connected to the dictatorship of Augusto Pinochet.

“Although some of his most prominent campaign promises and his international political loyalties suggest that he embraces democratic values In his victory speech, the president-elect conveyed the message that he wants to be a measured, reasonable leader.“Sensible and with common sense, a clearly conservative and traditional right-wing leader,” said Patricio Navia, professor of Liberal Studies at New York University and professor of Political Science at Diego Portales University in Chile. His message was shared with the international relations journal Americas Quarterly.