President-elect José Antonio Kast met with former President Michelle Bachelet in Santiago on Monday, his second meeting with a Chilean ex-head of state. He then departed for Quito to meet Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa, focusing on migration and security.
José Antonio Kast, Chile's president-elect after winning the December 14 runoff with 58.2% of the votes, began an intense agenda on Monday. At noon, he met with former President Michelle Bachelet in her Santiago office. This marks his second dialogue with a Chilean ex-head of state, following his meeting with Eduardo Frei Ruiz-Tagle last Friday.
Kast previously expressed his intent to seek Bachelet's advice on restoring Chile's global recognition for stability and security: “I will ask her for advice on how we can make Chile regain its worldwide recognition for stability and security.” The underlying issue is Bachelet's potential bid for UN Secretary-General, on which Kast said he would analyze the background: “I will meet with her and then that will have to be the subject of analysis. The resolution does not have to be immediate.”
After the meeting, Kast traveled to Ecuador, his second trip abroad since his victory. On December 16, he had visited Buenos Aires to meet President Javier Milei, discussing security, economy, and the possible incorporation of José Luis Daza into the Chilean government. In Quito, he will meet Daniel Noboa on Tuesday to address the migration crisis, security challenges, and commercial development. The visit includes a humanitarian corridor amid Peru's border tightening, and discussions on combating organized crime and narcotrafficking in Ecuador.
Kast is accompanied by his advisor Cristián Valenzuela, a northern opposition senator, and possibly Arica Governor Diego Paco. Meetings with local authorities and businessmen are anticipated. Future trips include Peru in January to meet José Jerí, and possible visits to the United States and Spain before March 11. Details of the Ecuadorian trip will be revealed in a Canal 13 interview with Kast tonight.
