Kast’s Foreign Policy Under Scrutiny: Chile’s Foreign Minister to Explain Controversial Decisions to Congress

El Ciudadano

Original article: Magallanes, “Doctrina Donroe”, Foro Madrid y Bachelet: canciller de Kast deberá dar explicaciones ante la Cámara por su política exterior

The Chamber of Deputies approved an interpellation against Foreign Minister Francisco Pérez Mackenna on Tuesday, requiring him to clarify the foreign policy of José Antonio Kast’s government. This comes amid tensions stemming from recent controversies with Argentina over the Strait of Magallanes and comments made by U.S. Ambassador Brandon Judd during the far-right Madrid Forum, where he stated that implementing the so-called «Donroe Doctrine» in Chile is «very easy»; additionally, the government’s decision to withdraw support for former president Michelle Bachelet’s candidacy for the UN Secretary-General post is also under scrutiny.

The initiative, led by 59 opposition lawmakers headed by Socialist Deputy Nelson Venegas, was approved by a vote of 57 in favor, 49 against, and one abstention. A session is set for next Monday, September 28, following the foreign minister’s trip with President Kast to the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York.

Deputy Venegas emphasized that this measure is not an attack on the Executive, but is framed within the defense of the country’s sovereign interests.

«This is not fundamentally an act against the Government. This is an action in defense of our country’s greater interests. This is a move that supports Chile in our national month,» the parliamentarian asserted.

According to El Mostrador, the legislator revealed that José García Ruminot, the Minister Secretary General of the Presidency, attempted to dissuade them from submitting the request to avoid it coinciding with the foreign minister’s trip to the UN Assembly, but ultimately, the dates will not overlap, as the interpellation has been scheduled for after that international commitment.

This oversight initiative comes just one day after Kast publicly expressed support for his foreign minister, calling him a «great» official and appreciating his management of the portfolio.

With a tally of 57 votes in favor, 49 against, and one abstention, the Chamber approved the interpellation of Foreign Minister Francisco Pérez Mackenna, which for Deputy Nelson Venegas, who pushed for this action, constitutes a «move in defense of the higher interests of our country».

Tensions with Argentina over the Strait of Magallanes

The approved questionnaire consists of 13 topics, with tensions with Argentina being a key chapter of the interpellation. The opposition will demand explanations regarding the status of Argentine Decree 457/2021, following controversy sparked by the statements of Argentine Chancellor Pablo Quirno, who referred to Argentina as a “bioceanic” nation, as well as comments from Argentine Senator Patricia Bullrich, who initially claimed that her country controlled the Strait of Magallanes, before clarifying that she was referring to the Beagle Channel and offering apologies. Furthermore, Gustavo Valverde, the head of the Argentine Air Force, stated that Australia has “sovereignty” over that area.

The list also includes a specific section to address the overall state of bilateral diplomatic relations, where the implications of the joint declaration signed on September 3 will be evaluated. In this declaration, Kast and Milei agreed that the legal regime of the Strait of Magallanes is established by the 1881 Boundary Treaty and the 1984 Treaty of Peace and Friendship, which are both fully valid and definitive for both states.

Moreover, the consequences, in the opinion of the interpellants, of the Argentine president’s subsequent statements for Chile will also be discussed.

Tariffs, Shield of the Americas, and the «Donroe Doctrine» in Chile

The relationship with the United States emerges as another central axis of this oversight, particularly regarding trade and security. Pérez Mackenna will need to respond to the outcomes of bilateral negotiations concerning the 12.5% tariff imposed by Trump on Chilean products, as well as detailing actions taken by La Moneda in this area.

Additionally, he will be questioned about Chile’s involvement in the Shield of the Americas and the Coalition of the Americas against Cartels, two hemispheric cooperation initiatives pushed by Washington.

One particularly contentious point will be the comments made by U.S. Ambassador Brandon Judd during the Fifth Meeting of the Madrid Forum held in Santiago, where he stated that the implementation of the so-called «Donroe Doctrine« (a mix of the Monroe Doctrine and President Donald Trump’s name) is «very easy» under José Antonio Kast’s administration.

The summit itself, attended by representatives and organizations linked to the far right, will also be the subject of inquiry to assess potential costs associated with hosting it in our country.

Withdrawal of Support for Bachelet’s Candidacy

Another challenge for the Kast administration is the withdrawal of support for former president Michelle Bachelet’s candidacy for the UN Secretary-General, for which deputies will demand that the foreign minister explain the government’s rationale for this decision. They will also seek clarification on the actions of diplomatic officials who allegedly conducted a counter-campaign against her, referencing a letter from the Libertad Institute signed by Raúl Sanhueza, Cristián Jara, and Francisco Devia.

According to El Mostrador, the questionnaire also addresses the withdrawal of Chile from the Non-Aligned Movement after 55 years of uninterrupted participation, along with policy shifts adopted by the country at multilateral organizations such as the Organization of American States (OAS) and the United Nations, reflecting an ideological shift in foreign policy.

The opposition also plans to pose questions about the international economic strategy on critical minerals and diplomatic appointments. They will inquire about the criteria used by the government for ambassadorial appointments, a sensitive issue given recent key nominations. Finally, the questionnaire includes questions about the controversial comments by Chile’s ambassador to Israel, Gabriel Zaliasnik, regarding the Palestinian community in Chile.