Presidential candidate Evelyn Matthei backed her campaign chief's harsh words against Gabriel Boric's government, labeling it 'incapable and indolent' during a visit to Arica. José Antonio Kast agreed on the substance of the criticisms, calling the administration 'failed'. These statements come amid polls showing Johannes Kaiser gaining ground.
During her tour in Arica on October 29, 2025, Evelyn Matthei, candidate of Chile Vamos, Amarillos, and Demócratas, intensified the offensive started by her campaign chief, Diego Paulsen, who labeled the government 'atorrantes'. While presenting proposals to boost female employment, Matthei backed the term and added her own: "The truth is it hurts them. The only thing I want to say is that the vast majority of Chileans feel this government has been irresponsible, incapable, and indolent".
Matthei questioned the administration's performance: "I ask Chileans, are you better off than four years ago? Do you think this has been a government that has fulfilled? That has fulfilled with women? They said it would be a feminist government. Where is the feminism? Beyond little handkerchiefs and pure symbolism, nothing for women". She cited the rebuilding of burned houses, where only 11% has been completed in two years, and compared it to Sebastián Piñera's work.
The government hit back hard. Interior Minister Álvaro Elizalde said "there are comments not even worth responding to, the offense has no justification in a democratic debate". Spokesperson Camila Vallejo pointed out it reached "the lowest level of public debate". Matthei countered by criticizing Boric's intervention against José Antonio Kast, accusing him of favoring certain candidates in a runoff.
Earlier that day, at a press point, Kast, Republican candidate and from the Social Christian Party, agreed on the substance: "In essence, we share that this is a failed government, one that will leave a legacy of more homicides, more illegal immigration, less housing, more people dying waiting for medical attention, more hopeless youth". He avoided commenting on the forms and rejected classism accusations from Frente Amplio, countering with government examples. Republican leader Arturo Squella backed Paulsen, noting street complaints are harsher.
This exchange unfolds in the final stretch of the presidential race, with Kaiser rising in polls and threatening Matthei and Kast.