Chile’s newly sworn‑in president, José Antonio Kast, did not wait for a formal legislative session before turning his attention to the country’s northern frontier. On Monday, March 16, 2026, he supervised the first earth‑moving equipment at Chacalluta, the desert crossing where migrants have historically slipped from Peru into Chile, signaling the launch of his “Border Shield” initiative.
Kast described the project as “a milestone for all of Chile,” emphasizing that the plan will close the border to “illegal immigration, drug trafficking and organized crime.” The blueprint calls for a physical barrier composed of ditches and fences, augmented by drones and military patrols. A single bulldozer was observed carving a trench that day, the earliest visible sign of construction.
In his inaugural week, Kast exercised emergency powers to sign six decrees aimed at tightening border security and accelerating deportations of those who entered Chile without documentation. The measures echo the hard‑line immigration stance of U.S. President Donald Trump, a political ally of Kast.
Chile’s foreign‑born population has doubled between 2017 and 2024, and officials estimate that more than 300,000 foreigners—predominantly Venezuelans—are residing in the country without legal status. While many have fled political persecution and economic collapse, the influx has coincided with a surge in crimes such as carjackings, kidnappings and contract killings, trends that some Chileans attribute to the newcomers.
Kast’s ascent represents the nation’s most pronounced right‑wing shift since 1990, when democracy was restored after the 17‑year military dictatorship of General Augusto Pinochet. Notably, Kast campaigned for Pinochet in his youth, a fact that underscores the ideological continuity between the two eras.
The rapid rollout of the border barrier highlights a broader transformation in Chilean politics, where immigration, security and historical memory intersect. Observers warn that the project could strain Chile’s commitments to human rights and regional cooperation, while supporters argue it is essential to safeguard public safety and sovereign control over the nation’s borders.