‘Very worrying’: Is the far right about to take over in Chile? | Chile

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Maria Irene Campos was a woman on a mission.

“I want to send a message that Chile will never become communist again,” the 74-year-old declared as she took to the streets last Friday to catch a glimpse of the man she believes could save her South American homeland from such a fate.

That man is José Antonio Caste – an ultra-conservative lawyer and father of nine children, some have described Chile’s response to Brazil’s radical leader, Jair Bolsonaro – and he is now just one step closer to becoming his country’s next president.

15 million Chileans will go to the polls on Sunday for the crucial second round of Chile’s presidential election to choose between the far-right politician and his left-wing rival Gabriel Borek, who appears to be slightly ahead.

“He seems to be a good guy to me – he’s a convinced person,” said Susana Guajardo, 61, another Caste supporter who came to see the candidate during a campaign visit to Rancagua, a quiet city 50 miles south of Chile’s capital Santiago.

But the prospect of Caste’s four-year presidency has terrified many in Chile and throughout the region and raised fears that one of South America’s most prosperous and stable democracies could be on the verge of being taken over by extremists like Steve Bannon.

“All our progress on women’s rights, inclusion and human rights will be affected if Cast wins on Sunday,” warned 35-year-old Gabe Riquelme, who has spent recent weeks publishing pamphlets for Borek.

Riquelme fears that Caste, whose German-born father was recently revealed to be a member of the Nazi Party, risks driving Chile into “instability and turmoil” by opposing a grassroots movement struggling to address its many social problems after the historic 2019 protests.

“Kast will undoubtedly be a step back,” she said of an ardent Catholic who is staunchly opposed to same-sex marriage, which was recently passed by the Chilean parliament.

On Tuesday, moderate Chilean former President Michelle Bachelet threw her weight behind Borek, telling Chileans they faced a “fundamental” choice and urging them to support a leader who could lead the country “on the path of progress for all”.

Chile’s 2021 race had strange and disturbing echoes of the deeply polarized vote in 2018 that saw Jair Bolsonaro – like Caste seen as a political aberration – take control of Latin America’s largest democracy.

While Khatib was more nimble than his well-known Brazilian counterpart, Caste raised nearly identical banners including law and order, opposition to “gender ideology” and flag-waving hate towards the left and its alleged attempt to deprive citizens of their “freedom”.

All our progress on women’s rights, inclusion and human rights will be affected if Cast wins on Sunday

“Communism is advancing,” Kast, 55, warned earlier this year. “Chile needs a political alternative that seeks to restore … the freedom we have lost.”

Meanwhile, Boric promised “hope prevails over fear” – a carbon copy of the pledge made by Brazilian leftist Fernando Haddad before losing to Bolsonaro in October 2018.

In the weeks after last month’s first-round vote, which he narrowly won, Caste has tried to tone down his ties to Bolsonaro in an apparent attempt to appeal to moderate voters.

During Monday’s recent presidential debate, he dismissed allegations that he is anti-gay, claiming that several same-sex couples attended his daughter’s wedding.

But Kast wasn’t always shy.

On October 18, 2018, 10 days before Bolsonaro came to power, the Chilean traveled to Rio to meet with the future president of Brazil. “Jair Bolsonaro represents hope for freedom, security, development and social justice in a Brazil ravaged by the left,” Cast tweeted alongside a photo of him wearing a bright red Chilean soccer jersey. The shirt was personalized with the number 17, then Bolsonaro’s candidacy symbol for the far-right.

What it shows is that Kast is part of a larger story for international networks…and a movement that is basically trying to be disruptive Robert Funk

The two men remained in contact after Bolsonaro took power, with Brazilian newspaper O Globo recently revealing that one of the main links was German-Chilean businessman Sven von Storch. He is the husband of Beatrix von Storch, deputy leader of the far-right Alternative for Germany party and granddaughter of Hitler’s Finance Minister.

In December 2018, Caste gave a keynote speech at a conservative conference organized by Bolsonaro’s son in Congress, Eduardo, in the Brazilian border city of Foz do Iguaçu.

He used part of his speech to paraphrase Augusto Pinochet in September 1973 to overthrow Chilean socialist leader Salvador Allende, just as Bolsonaro sought to rewrite the history of the Brazilian military dictatorship.

“Allende was overthrown by the people,” insisted Caste, who praised Pinochet’s “economic legacy”. “We have to rewrite history from our point of view,” he told delegates.

After Caste won the first round last month, Eduardo – Steve Bannon’s representative in Latin America – wished the Chilean candidate luck.

Eduardo, Bolsonaro’s son, and Jose Antonio Caste nod as they meet in Santiago, Chile on December 13, 2018 Photo: Ivan Alvarado/Reuters

“Cast is a patriot, well-connected internationally and a thorn in the side of the São Paulo Forum,” Bolsonaro wrote on Twitter, referring to the left-wing alliance that has become a source of concern for the Latin American far-right.

Political scientist Robert Funk has said that not enough attention has been paid to the links between Kast and the hard-right, conspiracy-ridden, anti-Semitic and anti-globalization “world of Steve Bannon”.

“I think it is very worrying and I am surprised that this has not received more play here,” said the academic at the University of Chile, describing Caste as “part right-wing Pinochet, part conservative Catholic, part Trumpian populist and part Bolsonaro nationalist.”

“What it shows is that Kast is part of a larger story for international networks…and a movement that is basically trying to be disruptive… Kast is not the conservative candidate. He’s the annoying candidate,” Funk added.

The story of his contact and support with Bolsonaro [the Spanish far-right party] Vox, with AfD – [with] Steve Bannon’s world – very disturbing, and not just for Chile. It shows how far they have gotten into politics around the world.”

Kast supporters reject claims that their teacher is extremist, just as Bolsonarists regard their authoritarian-minded leader as a model of democratic and divine values.

“I don’t find it extreme at all,” Guajardo said, as Caste made her way through his visit to Rancagua, to chants of “Long live Chile!” And God bless you!”

Cast wore a coat and hat to a rally in San Fernando. Photo: Martin Bernetti/AFP/Getty Images

Later that evening, Caste climbed onto stage amid sheets of white confetti to address a raucous crowd in the neighboring town of San Fernando.

He wore the poncho for the cueca, Chile’s national dance, and led a state performance of the national anthem while hundreds of Chilean flags fluttered above the crowd. “Every one of us should take to the streets and raise the Chilean flag that represents us all,” he declared to thunderous applause.

Many of his supporters are convinced that the right wing can save Chile from slipping back into what they describe as Venezuelan-style socialist upheaval.

“I want democracy, peace and stability,” Campos said. “José Antonio Caste represents all of these things.”

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