Many Chileans express skepticism about left-wing candidate Jara, with some, like Virginia Peredo, a domestic worker, stating they would never support her due to her communist affiliation. Peredo was among nearly 200 attendees at a rally for Jara’s right-wing rival, Kast, held in Copiapó, a mining town located approximately 750 kilometers north of Villa Alemana. Kast’s supporters are concerned that Jara represents the status quo, particularly in light of slow economic growth during the presidency of Boric, Jara’s former superior. With rising fears surrounding organized crime and undocumented immigration, Peredo indicated her apprehension about leaving her home at night. Having relocated from Bolivia ten years ago, Peredo backs Kast’s stringent policies on immigration, advocating for the deportation of all irregular immigrants, while asserting that only the “good ones” should be allowed to remain. Kast, the founder of the far-right Republican Party, has strategically addressed concerns over crime and immigration to bolster his support base. Recent data from the University of San Sebastián indicates a notable 8.4 percent increase in organized crime-related activities between 2022 and 2023, leading Kast to describe the situation as an “emergency.” Christopher Sabatini, a senior research fellow at Chatham House, remarked that Kast’s tough stance on crime resonates with many voters, who prioritize security and immigration issues.
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