# Protests in Santiago against Foro Madrid and Kast reforms > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/political-controversies-involving-president-kast > Updated: 2026-09-08T21:12:01.000Z. Sources: 25. Developments: 4. President José Antonio Kast has faced political and social criticism regarding his judicial and international stances. Initially, backlash arose following his support for a Santiago Court of Appeals ruling that acquitted former police officer Claudio Crespo regarding eye injuries sustained by deputy Gustavo Gatica during the 2019 social protests. Kast stated that “justice has spoken,” a position criticized by human rights organizations. Subsequently, the Chilean government defended Kast’s participation in the Foro Madrid, an international right-wing gathering. While some political parties confirmed attendance, Evópoli declined. Minister María Jesús Wulf defended the involvement, asserting that “political debate is legitimate.” As the summit convened in Santiago, massive protests erupted involving students, workers, and progressive groups. Demonstrators denounced the event, which features figures such as Argentine President Javier Milei, as an attempt to legitimize authoritarianism. Clashes between protesters and Carabineros resulted in the use of tear gas and water cannons, with reports of several injuries and at least 25 student detainees. The unrest has intensified alongside domestic opposition to Kast’s legislative agenda. Specifically, student groups are protesting education budget cuts and proposed constitutional reforms that would grant the executive branch the power to declare a state of emergency for up to eight months without parliamentary approval. In response to the summit, progressive organizations have organized the “Democracia Siempre” meeting to reaffirm commitments to human rights and civil liberties. During the forum's sessions, international participants, including U.S. Ambassador Brandon Judd, have addressed the role of the United States in Ibero-America. As the summit continues, the Central Unitaria de Trabajadores (CUT) and other opposition parties have formally denounced the forum, arguing it provides a platform for “extremist and denialist discourse” that threatens civil rights. Amidst the unrest, the UDI party has proposed educational reforms intended to teach the history of recent constitutional processes in schools. ## Claims - The Foro de Madrid summit is being held in Santiago, Chile, featuring leaders from the right-wing and conservative movements. (corroborated by 9 sources) - Argentine President Javier Milei spoke at the Foro de Madrid, praising Chile’s stability following the removal of Allende. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Police used water cannons and tear gas to disperse student protesters in Santiago. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Esteban Navarro, a regional political secretary for the Communist Party, condemned the forum as a platform for hate and denialism. (corroborated by 3 sources) - President José Antonio Kast has proposed eight constitutional reforms, including powers to declare an emergency for up to eight months without parliamentary approval. (corroborated by 2 sources) - U.S. Ambassador Brandon Judd participated in a panel at the forum discussing the role of the United States in Ibero-America. (corroborated by 2 sources) - At least 25 students were detained and two were injured during clashes with police in Santiago. (corroborated by 2 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-09-08: Chile protests erupt during Foro de Madrid right-wing summit Protests erupted in Santiago, Chile, during the Foro de Madrid right-wing summit, as students clashed with police to oppose the assembly and current government policies. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/chile-protests-erupt-during-foro-de-madrid-right-wing-summit ### 2026-09-03: Foro de Madrid summit in Santiago sparks protests and clashes The Foro de Madrid summit in Santiago has drawn international conservative leaders but sparked massive protests in Chile, leading to police clashes, multiple detentions, and denunciations from opposition groups 13 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/foro-de-madrid-summit-in-santiago-draws-political-protests ### 2026-08-27: Foro Madrid summit in Chile sparks tension within ruling coalition President José Antonio Kast’s participation in the Foro Madrid summit in Santiago has sparked tension within Chile's ruling coalition, drawing criticism from allied political parties. 7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/chilean-government-defends-president-kasts-participation-in-foro-madrid ### 2026-08-22: Chilean President Kast faces backlash over Gatica case ruling President José Antonio Kast faces backlash after supporting a court ruling that acquitted former officer Claudio Crespo in the case of eye injuries inflicted on deputy Gustavo Gatica. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/chilean-president-kast-faces-backlash-over-gatica-case-ruling --- Cite as: Protests in Santiago against Foro Madrid and Kast reforms. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/political-controversies-involving-president-kast