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Original article: Otra promesa caída de la campaña electoral de Kast: No habrá auditoría externa

Kast Government Abandons Promise of External Audit

Radio Biobío confirmed on Sunday, April 5, that President José Antonio Kast’s administration has decided to retract one of its key anti-corruption strategies. Through the General Secretariat of the Presidency, the government announced that it has abandoned the bidding process for an international external audit, citing «budget constraints» as the main reason for not delivering on its campaign promise.

During his campaign, candidate Kast outlined a four-point plan that included a comprehensive audit of the state conducted by top international firms, a full publication of results, and a review of all contractual agreements. However, fiscal realities took precedence over these pledges, which had been heavily publicized as central to his transparency agenda, as noted in extensive coverage by Radio Biobío.

In light of the cancellation of the external audit, the government opted for an internal review. On March 20, the Strategic Audit and Fiscal Review Committee, headed by Deputy Secretary Constanza Castillo, instructed public services to submit information regarding resource utilization from 2025 to March 2026 within a 17-day timeframe. Castillo claimed they are working “quickly and transparently for the public.”

This decision contrasts sharply with President Kast’s stance during presidential debates, where he asserted that he would subject the state to unprecedented international scrutiny. The absence of an independent external audit leaves the promise of identifying inflated prices and political operator networks unfulfilled, reducing the process to internal supervision without global firm involvement.

Social Media Reactions and Context: “You made a promise you can’t fulfill”

Digital platforms erupted with criticism and memes recalling campaign promises. Many users highlighted the presidential debates in which former candidate Jeannette Jara warned Kast: “You made a promise you can’t fulfill,” noting the cost and impracticality of such an audit.

Comments on social media included:

“SocialDemócrata”: Jara was right, and Kast lied. This was never feasible.

Vagabundo ilustrado / @vagoilustrado / They say time eventually proves everyone right… But it only took a month for Kast to prove @jeannette_jara right on almost everything. Now his government abandons the external audit, as Jara said, because it’s expensive and unrealistic. It only concealed inefficiency:

Desenfoque.cl / URGENT: José Antonio Kast’s government cancels promised international external audit. Citing resource limitations due to fiscal tightening, the new unfulfilled promise faces widespread criticism.

Arrepentidos de Kast / Hahaha, but it was obvious; it would destroy the fabricated narrative, and how would they justify the tremendous cost?

PIENSAPRENSA / AUDIT | «YOU MADE A PROMISE YOU CAN’T FULFILL» The candidate @jeannette_jara warned him. «It’s quite expensive, that’s unrealistic.» The government announces a retreat on the external audit, citing budget constraints.

La entrada Failed Campaign Promise: Kast Government Cancels External Audit Due to Budget Constraints se publicó primero en El Ciudadano.