US Ambassador Brandon Judd sparks controversy over Chilean protest comments

United States Ambassador Brandon Judd has sparked controversy in Chile following his comments regarding a Confech-led march on October 1. The demonstration, which included students, teachers, and workers, reportedly faced police repression and clashes with right-wing student groups near the Universidad Católica.

In a social media post, Ambassador Judd expressed support for President José Antonio Kast’s condemnation of the violence, stating, “I applaud President Kast for condemning the violence committed yesterday by a group of protesters during what should have been a peaceful student march.” Judd further noted that the United States works with allies to confront political violence and warned that individuals committing violent crimes “do not have the right to travel to the United States.”

The remarks have drawn polarized reactions from Chilean political figures. Critics, including analyst Paz Zárate and Deputy Lorena Pizarro, accused the ambassador of intervening in domestic affairs and violating the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. Conversely, former prosecutor Pedro Orthusteguy praised the ambassador’s stance against violent criminals.