Chile heads to run-off between Communist and far-right candidates

Chile’s presidential election will go to a run-off in December after no candidate won outright in Sunday’s vote. The second round will pit Jeannette Jara of the Communist Party against far-right candidate José Antonio Kast.

The campaign focused heavily on crime and rising immigration, with several candidates promising tougher action against foreign criminal groups, including Venezuela’s Tren de Aragua.

Jara narrowly won the first round, but Kast is expected to gain support from eliminated right-leaning candidates, which could shift Chile further to the political right. Jara was the only left-wing contender, while the right vote was split among several rivals.

Kast, a former congressman making his third presidential bid, has pushed for strict immigration controls, including a border wall, and opposes abortion under all circumstances. His family history has drawn attention, as his brother served under the Pinochet dictatorship and his father was once a Nazi Party member.

Chile’s foreign population has grown to more than 1.9 million, with about 330,000 undocumented migrants, many from Venezuela a major issue influencing voters this year.