Chile's President Initiates Border Barrier Construction to Combat Illegal Immigration

Wed Mar 18 2026 13:23:30 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

In a rapid move following his inauguration, José Antonio Kast has begun constructing a border barrier aimed at regulating immigration along Chile's northern border with Peru.

Less than a week into his presidency, José Antonio Kast has commenced work on a border barrier, fulfilling a key campaign promise to control illegal immigration. The initiative, praised as a 'milestone' by Kast, echoes similar approaches taken in the U.S., particularly by former President Donald Trump. With immigration numbers on the rise, this controversial policy reflects a significant shift in Chile's political landscape and public sentiment regarding security and immigration.

Chile's new president has begun work on a border barrier just five days after being sworn into office.

José Antonio Kast appeared at the site along Chile's northern border with Peru on Monday to inspect the trench and chat with construction workers, hailing it as the first step towards meeting his campaign promise to stem illegal immigration.

Only a small portion of the planned barrier has so far been cut into the arid Atacama desert - a ditch a few feet wide and deep.

This initiative is one of several policies from Kast that mirror pledges made by U.S. President Donald Trump, who has frequently emphasized constructing a wall at the Mexican border as a crucial element of his immigration strategy.

Echoing his campaign rhetoric, Kast stated that Chile had been violated by illegal immigration, drug trafficking, and organized crime, emphasizing his aim to use the construction efforts to build a sovereign Chile.

For Kast, the trench digging is a monumental step forward, asserting its significance for the nation while visiting near the border town of Arica.

While Chile is generally regarded as one of the safest and most stable nations in South America, a spike in immigration and organized crime has prompted increased anxiety among its citizens.

Chile's foreign population has rapidly escalated over the past decade, with estimates indicating that approximately 336,000 of these are undocumented migrants, predominantly from Venezuela.

The barrier, envisioned as a combination of trenches and fences patrolled by military personnel, aims to address this growing concern over immigration.

Kast's presidency, which marks a significant shift towards the right since the end of Chile’s military dictatorship in 1990, is also reminiscent of Trump's governance, as seen through Kast's supporters who are known for wearing red Make Chile Great Again caps.