The fact that Chile’s new President, José Antonio Kast, began construction of a border barrier just a few days after taking office is seen as heralding a new security-focused era in Latin American politics. This step stands out not merely as an infrastructure project, but as an attempt to redefine the state’s concept of sovereignty. The concept of a “sovereign Chile,” frequently emphasized in Kast’s rhetoric, indicates the rise of a political paradigm that frames irregular migration as a threat to national security.[1]
Kast’s border policies align with the rising global trend of right-wing populist leadership. In particular, the “wall policy” developed by Donald Trump in the United States (U.S.) aims to control migration by strengthening physical borders. The trench and barrier system implemented in Chile is also viewed as a reflection of this approach. In this context, Kast’s policies are interpreted not merely as a national choice but as the regional reproduction of a global security narrative.
The excavation work launched along Chile’s northern border marks a symbolically significant beginning. Although only a limited area has been excavated in this initial phase, this initiative is important as it demonstrates the government’s resolve. Furthermore, this step shows that the promises made during the election campaign are being swiftly put into action. This is viewed as part of a strategy to build trust among voters.
It is evident that the issue of migration has become increasingly politicized in Chile in recent years. In particular, the wave of migration originating from Venezuela is leading to significant changes in the country’s demographic structure. The noticeable population growth observed in the country highlights the scale of this transformation. This growth is triggering concerns about security and economic competition among the public and is leading to a hardening of political rhetoric.
The direct link that Kast establishes between migration, organized crime, and drug trafficking plays a significant role in legitimizing security policies. These narrative positions migrants as potential threats and increases public acceptance of harsh measures. However, it is argued that this approach overlooks the multidimensional nature of migration and fails to address the root causes of the problem.[2]
Although Chile is viewed as one of Latin America’s most stable and secure countries, rising crime rates and a perception of social unrest in recent years have directly influenced political choices. In this context, Kast’s election is seen not merely as a change in leadership but also as a reflection of society’s security expectations in politics. The sharpest shift to the right since the end of military dictatorship in 1990 underscores the depth of this transformation.
It is evident that the border barrier is designed not merely as a physical obstacle, but as a comprehensive security system supported by technological elements. Trenches, fences, military patrols, and surveillance systems are intended to ensure tighter control of the border. This situation indicates that the state has adopted a more militarized approach to border management.
However, the humanitarian dimension of these policies is also a subject of debate. The fact that harsh border measures may conflict with international legal norms and, in particular, may violate the fundamental rights of irregular migrants is being overlooked. These criticisms bring the debate over the balance between security and human rights back to the forefront.
From an economic perspective, the increase in the migrant population intensifies competition in the labor market and places pressure on low-income groups. This situation leads to anti-immigration rhetoric gaining more traction in society. However, the fact that migrants also contribute to economic growth demonstrates that this debate cannot be viewed in a one-dimensional manner.
These developments in Chile point to the potential for similar policies to spread across Latin America. Many countries in the region are considering stricter border policies due to increasing migration pressures and security concerns. This situation indicates that a new security paradigm is emerging at the regional level.
On the other hand, the long-term effects of such policies remain uncertain. It is well known that physical barriers cannot completely prevent migration and that alternative routes may emerge. Therefore, it is believed that a sustainable solution requires not only security measures but also the implementation of economic and social policies.
The border barrier policy of the José Antonio Kast administration is taking shape as a comprehensive strategy aimed at addressing Chile’s growing security concerns and the pressure of irregular migration. This approach seeks to redefine state sovereignty through physical borders and frames migration directly as a security issue. However, while this policy may yield symbolic and political gains in the short term, its capacity to fundamentally alter migration dynamics in the long term is considered limited. This is because structural factors underlying migration movements—such as economic crises, political instability, and regional inequalities—continue to persist. Consequently, it is believed that merely constructing physical barriers may redirect migration to different routes rather than halting it entirely, and could even encourage the use of more dangerous crossing routes.
At the same time, the social and political consequences of this policy constitute an area that requires careful consideration. While the rise of the security discourse may garner public support in the short term, it has the potential to exacerbate social polarization in the long term. Furthermore, the association of migrants with crime and disorder not only hinders social integration processes but also gives rise to new debates regarding human rights. In this context, the Chilean example offers a significant case study for understanding the impact of rising right-wing populist policies in Latin America on migration management. Ultimately, it becomes clear that developing a sustainable migration policy requires adopting comprehensive approaches based not only on security measures but also on regional cooperation, economic development policies, and international legal norms.
[1] Phillips, Aleks. “Chile’s President Begins Building Border Barrier Less Than Week into Term”, BBC News, https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cvg1227k00eo, (Date Accession: 22.03.2026)
[2] Batschke, Nayara. “Chile’s New Far-Right President Launches Work on Border Barrier”, AP News, https://apnews.com/article/chile-border-barrier-jose-antonio-kast-trump-immigration-crackdown-fbd8b92131fa05c8b3b5cbeddbc4816b, (Date Accession: 22.03.2026).
