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Original article: Un mes de Kastigo

We have reached a month of Kastigo, as José Kast’s administration continues to falter.

He declared a state of security emergency, which has only intensified the situation. Homicides linked to organized crime have surged by over 30% during his initial weeks in office. Additionally, the Ministry of Security has caused a crisis within the PDI after Minister Steinert requested the resignation of the Deputy Director of Intelligence merely two days into her term.

From day one, he announced the expulsion of irregular migrants, yet, in his own words, after a month, not a single one has been expelled.

Kast stated that the «State was in bankruptcy,» tarnishing our international reputation. This crisis was fabricated; it did not exist beforehand. He opted to pass the rising fuel costs onto working families, turning us into the OECD country with the highest increase in gasoline prices. The consequences are already apparent: inflation spiked by 1% in just one month. The costs of all goods are rising, especially rents and debts, which are valued in UF. His only proposed solution is to reduce the corporate tax rate for large companies from 27% to 23%.

On foreign policy, he has shown himself to be Trump’s vassal and made a serious error regarding Argentina. In a joint statement, he acknowledged Argentine sovereignty over the maritime areas surrounding the Austral Sea and Antarctica, which overlaps with Chilean territory. On the second day of his government, he announced the exploitation of rare earths and critical minerals, including lithium and copper, alongside the United States.

Regarding justice, despite his claim of not granting pardons, he announced a review of cases involving criminals from the Social Revolt to potentially pardon individuals who have murdered, tortured, and blinded their compatriots. This could include perpetrators from the dictatorship. Furthermore, they dismantled the National Search Plan, terminating the three main officials overseeing it. Pinochet’s lawyers are doing their job well.

In education, only cuts to free educational access and increased controls within schools have been proposed. In science, there are cuts to master’s and postdoctoral scholarships abroad. Students have raised the alarm and staged a significant protest along the Alameda.

On environmental issues, they have withdrawn all implementation decrees for protective policies and legislation, prompting the first demonstrations against the government just nine days after it took office.

In the realm of employment, there have been no announcements for job creation, although pro-business regulations have been implemented concerning the 40-hour workweek, and the collective bargaining bill has been withdrawn.

In housing, they have announced the release of some state-owned land, yet the minister has also been involved in intimidation tactics against residents during territorial visits. Alongside a denialist policy, he announced the withdrawal of funding for the expropriation of Colonia Dignidad.

In the Ministry of Women, the director of SernamEG was dismissed while undergoing treatment for aggressive cancer.

Other ministries are laying off workers and announcing cuts of 3% or even more. There are no significant projects, just dismantling existing initiatives.

In Congress, they have yet to present their «National Reconstruction» bill, as division persists within the right. The government spokesperson struggles to communicate effectively.

We sought to identify at least one achievement, but it proved elusive. People on the streets see no positive outcomes, and opposition to this government is growing rapidly: today, there are more citizens who reject it than those who support it.

And so we find ourselves at the month of Kastigo.

La entrada A Month of Kastigo: Discontent Grows Amid Government Missteps se publicó primero en El Ciudadano.