Thousands of people marched on Sunday in Santiago and 15 other cities across Chile to mark World Water Day, protesting environmental policy changes implemented by newly inaugurated President José Antonio Kast.
The demonstration, organized by several environmental groups under the slogan 'Don't Kast-igate Nature,' came one day after Kast's administration withdrew 43 environmental protection regulations that had been signed during the government of left-wing former President Gabriel Boric, whom Kast replaced earlier this month.
What the Left Is Saying
Progressive groups and environmental organizations called the rollback a direct attack on Chile's ecological heritage. Cristóbal Rodríguez, national spokesperson for the Movement for the Defense and Access to Water, Land and the Environment, said the new president represents a setback that reflects his Pinochet-era roots and is commodifying nature to levels never seen before.
Environmental activists argued that the withdrawal of 43 decrees shows an environmental chainsaw approach, prioritizing big capital interests over conservation. They emphasized that Chile still has 1.4 million people without access to drinking water, and that the removed regulations protected endangered species including Darwin's frog and the Humboldt penguin.
Progressive critics noted that Kast's administration removed protections for Lake Villarrica decontamination plans and emissions regulations for thermoelectric plants. They argued the rollbacks contradict Chile's international environmental commitments and threaten communities that depend on clean water.
What the Right Is Saying
Kast's administration defended the policy changes as necessary for economic growth and technical governance. After signing the order, Kast told reporters that his government wants to generate the best possible public policy around full employment, always respecting the environment.
Supporters of the president said his approach balances environmental concerns with economic development. They noted that Kast has acknowledged the existence of climate change but argues for prioritizing technical criteria over what he calls environmental ideologies.
Conservative commentators pointed out that Kast's election represents the most significant shift to the right in Chile since the restoration of democracy in 1990. They argued that voters mandated this change at the ballot box and that economic deregulation is essential for creating jobs and attracting investment.
What the Numbers Show
Kast's administration withdrew 43 environmental protection regulations one day after taking office. These included measures protecting Darwin's frog and the Humboldt penguin, provisions creating national parks, decontamination plans for Lake Villarrica, and emissions regulations for thermoelectric plants.
According to the Movement for the Defense and Access to Water, Land and the Environment, 1.4 million Chileans lack access to drinking water. This figure has been documented by multiple international development organizations tracking Latin American infrastructure.
Kast won the presidential election with approximately 56% of the vote in a runoff against former President Gabriel Boric. His victory marked the most conservative administration since Chile's transition from General Augusto Pinochet's military rule in 1990.
The Bottom Line
The World Water Day protests demonstrated significant public opposition to Kast's environmental policy reversal, though his administration maintains the changes are necessary for economic growth. The demonstrations drew participants in 16 cities across Chile, indicating broad geographic concern about the direction of environmental policy.
The rollback of 43 regulations marks a substantial shift in Chile's environmental approach and sets up ongoing tension between conservation groups and the new conservative administration. Environmental organizations have signaled they will continue to oppose these changes through grassroots mobilization and legal challenges.
International observers are watching closely how Chile balances its environmental commitments with economic development priorities under Kast, particularly given the country's role in Latin American environmental policy. The president's stated commitment to respecting the environment while pursuing deregulation will be tested as specific implementation decisions emerge.