Presidential candidate José Antonio Kast defended his party amid controversy over deputy José Carlos Meza's support for commuting sentences for terminally ill elderly prisoners, including child sex abusers. Kast accused the government of protecting abusers and stressed his commitment to punishing crimes. The exchange took place during the election campaign.
On Friday, December 5, 2025, during a press point, José Antonio Kast, presidential candidate of the Republican Party, responded to statements by deputy and campaign spokesperson José Carlos Meza. The previous day, Meza had expressed on CNN his support for commuting sentences for elderly prisoners with terminal illnesses, including those convicted of child sexual abuse, prompting rejection from the government and officialist candidate Jeannette Jara.
Kast shifted focus to the current government: “Here the only ones who have protected an abuser are those in the government.” He noted that Jara was part of the cabinet that lent La Moneda to Manuel Monsalve for a farewell, and criticized President Boric for pardoning a terrorist. He added: “Who paid the price, so to speak, in Gendarmería for giving information? It was the gendarmes, not the President.”
The candidate reaffirmed his government plan, with three main axes and 33 measures: “Whoever commits a crime, we will sanction them.” On potential humanitarian pardons, he said he awaits Senate debate and will act accordingly: “If there is a law passed by Congress, we will apply the law, but today that is not in the law.”
Kast defended his party's seriousness and elected bench, and avoided labeling if Meza was wrong: “That is not relevant.” He insisted on not straying from social urgencies, rejecting minor debates from the “candidate for continuity.” This episode highlights tensions in the final stretch of the presidential campaign, where Kast seeks to consolidate support with emphasis on security and public order.