Chilean presidential candidate José Antonio Kast, of the Partido Republicano, greets supporters at his final campaign rally in Temuco, Chile, on December 11, 2025. EITAN ABRAMOVICH / AFP
José Antonio Kast, 59, wore the satisfied expression of a child pleased with his own joke. The ultraconservative candidate, who is favored to win the second round of Chili's presidential election scheduled for Sunday, December 14, once again managed to dodge any specifics about his intentions if elected. "Will you, yes or no, pardon [Miguel] Krassnoff?" a journalist pressed him yet again on December 3 during the penultimate televised debate, with his opponent, Communist candidate Jeannette Jara, 51, also present.
Former brigadier Krassnoff, 79, a member of the DINA, Augusto Pinochet's notorious secret police, was sentenced to more than 1,000 years in prison for crimes against humanity committed during the dictatorship (1973-1990). In response to the question, Kast, an admirer of the Pinochet regime, dodged, equivocated and played for time. When the journalist pointed out that time was up, the candidate shrugged and said, "Rules are rules," retreating into silence with a sly smile.
To the same question, Jara replied with a clear and emphatic "no."
