Chile President José Antonio Kast leads emergency response after Atacama floods

President José Antonio Kast arrived in Copiapó on the night of his return from Peru to head a technical emergency table convened after severe rains devastated the Atacama and Coquimbo regions. In the meeting with regional presidential delegates, the head of National Defense, and Senapred officials, he received an updated damage report showing 501 people affected, two fatalities, 81 people housed, 256 isolated, 262 homes with minor damage, 129 with major damage and 38 destroyed.

Kast also recalled his criticism of former President Gabriel Boric for traveling abroad during previous climate emergencies, citing Boric’s trips to Europe and Antarctica while Chile faced floods. He used those past instances to stress the need for the president to stay in the country and prioritize direct response and reconstruction efforts.