Jose Antonio Kast, leader of the right-wing conservative Republican Party, won a decisive victory in Chile’s presidential election runoff on Sunday, defeating Communist Party candidate Jeannette Jara, who was backed by the ruling coalition, reports Le Monde.

With 95% of the votes counted, Kast received more than 58%, while his opponent garnered 41%.

Kast’s election campaign spokesperson Arturo Squella announced the victory from the Republican Party headquarters in Santiago, Chile’s capital.

“We are very proud of the work we have done. We feel a sense of responsibility for the enormous challenge of overcoming the crisis Chile has experienced,” he told reporters.

Jara accepted her defeat, writing on social media that she had called Kast to congratulate him on a successful campaign.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio also congratulated Kast on his election victory.

Chile’s current president, Gabriel Boric, will leave office in March 2026.

During his election campaign, Kast pledged to “eradicate organized crime, close the borders to illegal migrants, and reform the overburdened healthcare system” in Chile.

In addition, Kast is actively opposed to abortion, euthanasia, same-sex marriage, divorce, and birth control.

Observers believe he will begin to build closer relations with US President Donald Trump as well as Argentine President Javier Milei.