Chile President Kast pledges $800 bn infrastructure push and policy shift in 2026 address

In his June 1, 2026 public account speech, President Gabriel Kast presented a sweeping infrastructure agenda for Chile. He announced an $800 billion investment in the Ruta Austral highway, a $2 billion upgrade of the San Antonio port, a new concession to expand the Valparaíso port, four metro lines at various stages, and a long‑term penitentiary plan aiming for more than 20 000 new prison places by 2030. The programme emphasises public‑private partnerships as the primary execution model and includes water‑security measures such as new reservoirs, treated‑water reuse and desalination projects to support agricultural export growth.

Kast framed the agenda as a decisive turn away from decades of expanding state control and heavy regulation. He argued that security and economic growth require a cultural shift toward respect for the law, stronger policing, and a pro‑enterprise environment that encourages private investment. The opposition called the reforms a setback, while the president portrayed them as essential to revive Chile’s economy and public safety.