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Protests in Santiago against Foro Madrid and Kast reforms

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2026-09-04 20:48 UTC → 2026-09-06 02:55 UTC · added ~~removed~~

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.

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