Kast Faces Declining Support Amid Increasing Concerns Over Governance and Security

Original article: Kast pierde respaldo mientras crece la sensación de improvisación en La Moneda

Presidential disapproval reaches 58%, as public trust wanes regarding security and immigration—two key campaign issues for the government.

The latest Plaza Pública Cadem survey has raised alarm bells at La Moneda. The poll revealed the lowest approval rating for Kast since he took office, with only 36% of citizens supporting his administration, while disapproval soared to 58%.

This drop is particularly alarming considering the government came to power promising to regain control over security and immigration. However, the data shows a growing public distrust in these areas.

According to Cadem, while 44% of respondents identify security as the government’s primary commitment, 64% believe that there is no clear plan to address the crime crisis. Additionally, 61% think it is impossible to fulfill the promise to expel 300,000 irregular immigrants, one of Kast’s most reiterated campaign pledges.

The survey also revealed that 54% of participants believe that a significant portion of the public initially thought this promise was achievable, raising questions about the growing gap between generated expectations and the government’s real capacity to deliver.

Security and Immigration: Promises Starting to Wear Thin

Various analysts have pointed out that the deterioration in figures reflects the erosion of the hardline narrative promoted by the administration. Following the release of the poll, expectations regarding security, immigration control, and the economy have begun to decline compared to the initial days of the mandate.

Concurrently, the government has faced a series of internal controversies that have complicated the administration’s establishment. The newspaper El País recently published an analysis suggesting that Kast has had to become a «political shield» to protect his ministers from ongoing controversies and conflicts within the cabinet.

One of the most discussed cases involves the Ministry of Science. As reported by El País, former Deputy Secretary Rafael Araos publicly contradicted Minister Ximena Lincolao, asserting that there was indeed a plan for mass layoffs within the ministry. «It is real and there are witnesses,» the former deputy secretary stated amid allegations of a toxic work environment and staff resignations.

Growing Public Scrutiny

The drop in presidential approval is also starting to reflect a deeper tension: the challenge of translating campaign slogans into tangible policies. The promise of mass expulsions of migrants, for instance, has been questioned by experts due to legal, budgetary, and diplomatic hurdles.

Meanwhile, the executive branch faces increasing pressure to deliver rapid results on security, a primary public demand and a central theme of the presidential discourse.

Just weeks into his term, Kast’s government is already confronting a more complex scenario than initially anticipated post-election: declining poll numbers, communication fatigue, and rising doubts about the feasibility of its main promises.

El Ciudadano