President José Antonio Kast signed the decree promulgating the “Emergencia Energética, Chile Sale Adelante” law and used the ceremony to address youth mobilized over historic fuel price hikes. He urged not harming the country further and suggested protesting without using public transport.
On March 26, 2026, President José Antonio Kast signed the decree promulgating the “Emergencia Energética, Chile Sale Adelante” law during a ceremony. The president addressed the protests sparked by historic rises in fuel prices, including diesel and gasoline, which have mobilized youth particularly. “No afectemos más a la patria de lo que ya está afectada”—“Don't affect the homeland more than it already is,” Kast stated, as reported by La Tercera. He added that if anyone wants to express discontent, “que no use el transporte público, sobre todo el Metro”—“they shouldn't use public transport, especially the Metro,” to avoid further harm. This comes amid demonstrations over fuel price hikes across Chile. The new law aims to tackle the energy emergency, though specific details are not outlined in available sources. Kast's remarks seek to ease tensions while acknowledging grievances but stress minimizing additional national impacts.
