# Kast approval swings amid security concerns

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/chile-security-reforms-under-kast
> Updated: 2026-08-03T01:47:08.000Z. Sources: 67. Developments: 28.

Following the June security reshuffle, President José Antonio Kast’s popularity continued to erode. A Centre for Public Studies poll on 10 June recorded 52 % disapproval and 34 % approval, while an Ipsos survey highlighted crime as the top public worry, with 56 % of respondents expressing concern. A Pulso Ciudadano poll (10‑12 June) showed a record 56.7 % disapproval and approval slipping to 30.5 %. By mid‑June, the 100‑day mark prompted mixed assessments: a column cited 44 % approval versus 53 % disapproval, whereas other analyses noted approval hovering around 30 % and criticism of unfulfilled promises, fiscal cuts and rising fuel prices.

Digital‑media monitoring for the week of 17‑23 June revealed predominantly negative sentiment toward the government (58 % of evaluative posts), with the Haitian‑children case and alleged ministerial conflicts of interest fueling backlash. Security operations persisted, including a coordinated crackdown on illegal street vending in Alto Hospicio on 27 June, echoing the earlier inter‑institutional raid in the same commune.

Subsequent polls showed crime remaining the chief concern (51.3 % in late June) and approval hovering between 30 % and 41 % while disapproval stayed above 55 %. By the end of July, approval fell to 25.6 % (Pulso Ciudadano) and 34 % (Agenda Criteria), with young voters especially critical. An early‑August Cadem poll indicated deep societal polarization and a further dip to 36 % approval, while disapproval approached 60 %. Throughout, security, unemployment and opposition to privatization reforms have remained the dominant issues shaping public sentiment.

## Timeline

### 2026-08-03: Chile poll shows 76% see deep societal split and President Kast approval falls to 36%

A July Cadem poll shows 76% of Chileans see the nation divided, politics the main cause, and President Kast’s approval at 36% with 60% disapproval.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/chile-poll-shows-76-see-deep-societal-split-and-president-kast-approval-falls-to-36

### 2026-08-02: Chile rejects Codelco privatization, President Kast approval at 34%

A Chilean poll shows President José Antonio Kast’s approval at 34% and 74% of respondents reject any privatization of state copper giant Codelco.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/chile-rejects-codelco-privatization-president-kast-approval-at-34

### 2026-07-31: Chile President José Antonio Kast’s Approval Falls to 34%, Disapproval Near 60%

Chile polls show President José Antonio Kast’s approval slipping to 34%–25.6% and disapproval rising to 55%–58.9%, with youth, opposition and security/economic worries driving the decline.

5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/chile-president-jos-antonio-kasts-disapproval-climbs-to-55-as-approval-falls-to-34

### 2026-07-19: Chile's President José Antonio Kast faces left criticism over post‑democratic policies

Chile’s leftist scholars say President José Antonio Kast’s mega‑tax reforms and new laws push the country toward a post‑democratic regime, concentrating power, cutting municipal funds and risking a general‑stre

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/chiles-president-jos-antonio-kast-faces-left-criticism-over-postdemocratic-policies

### 2026-07-15: Chile survey shows rising support for migrants but growing labor concerns

Chile's Ipsos poll finds 72% view migration as a human right and 60% see economic benefits, while worries rise over informal work, job scarcity and wages, especially in the North Grande region.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/chile-survey-shows-rising-support-for-migrants-but-growing-labor-concerns

### 2026-07-11: Chile survey finds economic instability tops citizens' fears

Chile's Bienestar Survey reports economic and labour instability as the top fear for 55% of citizens, up sharply from last year, while crime concerns decline.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/chile-survey-finds-economic-instability-tops-citizens-fears

### 2026-07-09: Chile President Kast urged to act tougher as parliamentary tensions rise

Chile’s President Kast faces pressure to be tougher as former Senate head urges firm action on reforms, while analysts warn of internal party clashes and a looming political “dark winter.”

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/chile-president-kast-urged-to-act-tougher-as-parliamentary-tensions-rise

### 2026-07-09: Chile sees drop in Ñuñoa crime fears as nationwide economic anxiety spikes

Chile’s Ñuñoa sees biggest drop in perceived crime, while a national survey records a sharp rise in fear of economic instability and a decline in crime concerns.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/chile-sees-drop-in-uoa-crime-fears-as-nationwide-economic-anxiety-spikes

### 2026-07-08: Alto Hospicio police crack down on cocaine crimes in Tarapacá

Alto Hospicio police arrest a Colombian mother after her infant is critically intoxicated with cocaine and, in a separate raid before the La Tirana festival, seize 400 cocaine doses and detain a suspect.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/alto-hospicio-police-crack-down-on-cocaine-crimes-in-tarapac

### 2026-07-05: Alto Hospicio municipality spearheads regional security coordination effort

Alto Hospicio, joined by Iquique and Huara, held interagency meetings to strengthen security coordination and tackle illegal land occupation, vehicle theft, smuggling and other crimes.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/alto-hospicio-municipality-spearheads-regional-security-coordination-effort

### 2026-07-05: Chile's President José Antonio Kast reaches 60% disapproval in latest poll

Chile’s President José Antonio Kast hits a 60% disapproval rating, with approval at 37%, as polls show worsening public view of his economic and labor policies and growing coalition tensions.

6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/chile-president-jos-antonio-kasts-approval-drops-to-35-amid-economic-discontent

### 2026-07-02: Chile and Bolivia see plunging approval amid contested reforms

Chileans reject the government's neoliberal reform package, while Bolivia's President Rodrigo Paz drops to 38% approval amid economic turmoil.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/chile-and-bolivia-see-plunging-approval-amid-contested-reforms

### 2026-06-28: President José Antonio Kast's approval stalls near 40% as disapproval climbs above 50% in Chile polls

Chile's President José Antonio Kast holds about 40% approval while disapproval exceeds 50%; ministers Alvarado and Poduje rank highest, and crime tops public concerns.

10 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/chile-president-jos-antonio-kast-approval-holds-at-39-amid-rising-disapproval

### 2026-06-28: Chile President José Antonio Kast completes first 100 days in office

President José Antonio Kast's first 100 days saw coordination‑based reforms, progress on schools and reconstruction, while regional leaders demand concrete projects, especially in Magallanes.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/chile-president-jos-antonio-kast-completes-first-100-days-in-office

### 2026-06-27: Chile poll shows crime as top concern and Kast approval drops to 30%

Chile's latest poll finds crime now the top issue for 51% of citizens, while President Kast's approval slips to 30% and disapproval rises to 56.9%.

5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/chile-poll-shows-crime-as-top-concern-and-kast-approval-drops-to-30

### 2026-06-27: Chile police and municipal forces dismantle illegal street vendors in Alto Hospicio

Chile's Alto Hospicio police, municipal inspectors and SAG seized illegal street‑vendor equipment and arrested a wanted man during a coordinated crackdown across three busy zones.

8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/alto-hospicio-raid-clears-illegal-stalls-detains-fugitive

### 2026-06-26: Chile President José Antonio Kast sees digital backlash and intra‑party disappointment after 100 days

Digital analysis of Chilean posts shows President José Antonio Kast’s 100‑day government facing negative sentiment, supporter disappointment, a high‑profile Haitian‑children case, and conflict‑of‑interest calls

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/chile-president-jos-antonio-kast-sees-digital-backlash-and-intraparty-disappointment-after-100-days

### 2026-06-22: Chile President José Antonio Kast's first 100 days face mixed approval

Chile’s President José Antonio Kast sees 44% approval after 100 days, with mixed public views and a shift from corporate‑style governance; former president Gabriel Boric leads the opposition and Mayor Tomás Vod

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/chile-president-jos-antonio-kasts-first-100-days-face-mixed-approval

### 2026-06-19: Chile President José Antonio Kast sees approval plunge after turbulent first 100 days

Chile’s President José Antonio Kast faces a sharp drop in approval after 100 days of fiscal cuts, cabinet changes and rising fuel prices, while the Magallanes region warns of stalled decentralisation and under‑

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/chile-president-jos-antonio-kast-sees-approval-plunge-after-turbulent-first-100-days

### 2026-06-15: Chile President José Antonio Kast Disapproval Hits Record 56.7%

A June poll shows Chile’s President José Antonio Kast at a record 56.7 % disapproval and 30.5 % approval three months into his term, with mixed views on a new bank‑account freeze for high‑income debtors.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/chile-president-jos-antonio-kast-disapproval-hits-record-567

### 2026-06-14: Chile President José Antonio Kast hits record disapproval in June poll

Chile's President José Antonio Kast records a record 56.7% disapproval in a June poll, with approval at 30.5% and public split on CAE debtors' account embargoes.

5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/chile-president-jos-antonio-kast-hits-record-disapproval-in-june-poll

### 2026-06-11: Chile faces high crime worries and low presidential approval

An Ipsos poll finds 56% of Chileans worry about crime, while a CEP survey shows President José Antonio Kast’s approval at 34% and disapproval at 52%, indicating low public confidence.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/chile-faces-high-crime-worries-and-low-presidential-approval

### 2026-06-10: Chile President José Antonio Kast faces 52% disapproval in new poll

A Chilean poll shows 52% disapproval of President Kast, with security, health and education flagged as top concerns; teachers’ union also condemns budget cuts and Finance Minister Quiroz’s policies.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/chile-president-jos-antonio-kast-faces-52-disapproval-in-new-poll

### 2026-06-07: Chile's Public Security Minister Martín Arrau Leads Joint Police Operation in Alto Hospicio

Chile’s Security Minister Martín Arrau led a joint police operation in Alto Hospicio’s El Boro, focusing on migration checks, fugitive searches and a prison raid, to restore state authority in the region.

5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/chiles-public-security-minister-martn-arrau-leads-joint-police-operation-in-alto-hospicio

### 2026-06-07: Chile President José Antonio Kast's approval climbs to 40% in latest poll

Chile's President José Antonio Kast sees approval rise to 40% and disapproval drop to 47% in a new poll, with growing confidence in the government's security plan.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/chile-president-jos-antonio-kasts-approval-climbs-to-40-in-latest-poll

### 2026-06-02: Chile President José Antonio Kast appoints new security subsecretaries amid cabinet shake‑up

Chile’s President José Antonio Kast named María del Pilar Giannini Bravo and Gonzalo Guerrero Valle as new security subsecretaries after the resignations of Andrés Jouannet and Ana Victoria Quintana; Jouannet *

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/chile-president-jos-antonio-kast-appoints-new-security-subsecretaries-amid-cabinet-shakeup

### 2026-06-02: Chile's Security Minister Martín Arrau reshuffles ministry and targets rural crime

Chile's security minister Martín Arrau forced two subsecretary resignations and, in a Senate session, detailed new rural crime measures, including a Flagrant Law and a task force for La Araucanía.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/chiles-security-minister-martn-arrau-reshuffles-ministry-and-targets-rural-crime

### 2026-05-23: Chile's President Kast unveils new security plan amid cabinet reshuffle

Chile's President Kast will unveil a new security plan on June 1, following a cabinet reshuffle aimed at boosting security efforts, with Minister Martín Arrau to detail it in a Senate session on June 2.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/chiles-president-kast-unveils-new-security-plan-amid-cabinet-reshuffle

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Cite as: Kast approval swings amid security concerns. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/chile-security-reforms-under-kast