President-elect José Antonio Kast landed in Lima for an official tour, avoiding controversy with President Gabriel Boric over his statements against leaders supporting Donald Trump's actions in Venezuela. His agenda focuses on migration issues with Peruvian leader José Jerí.
José Antonio Kast, Chile's president-elect, began his tour to Peru on Tuesday, his third foreign trip since his electoral victory. He landed in Lima in the afternoon and avoided polemic with Gabriel Boric, who on X criticized 'servile' leaders supporting Donald Trump's military operation in Venezuela that captured Nicolás Maduro and Cilia Flores. Boric stated such actions violate international law and human dignity.
Upon arrival, when asked, Kast replied: 'It is not worth entering into a polemic. We have so many problems in Chile', citing challenges in health in Arica, organized crime, and education. He added: 'There are 64 days left until I swear in as President and I am not going to polemicize with President Boric'. He urged Boric to focus on local issues like unemployment and deadly waiting lists, before discussing other countries' actions.
Kast called to care for institutions, including the Supreme Court and the Presidency, and to look to the future with hope. His Wednesday agenda includes breakfast with Peruvian businessmen, a bilateral meeting with José Jerí at the Government Palace, and lunch, addressing migration, border security, and trade.
On migration, Kast reiterated his plan to enable a humanitarian corridor for Venezuelans' return, estimating over 300,000 irregulars in Chile. 'A country cannot have more than 300,000 people irregularly', he said, emphasizing respect for rules. Accompanied by elected senators Enrique Lee and Renzo Trisotti, and Arica governor Diego Paco, the trip aims to strengthen bilateral ties amid the post-Maduro Venezuelan crisis.
Meanwhile, Kast delayed his cabinet announcement to January 20 to fine-tune names like Claudio Alvarado, Martín Arrau, and Iván Poduje, responding to criticisms about potential ministers.
