Chile's President Kast faces fuel-price protests and falling approval
Kast's approval has dropped to 24 percent eight months into his term, as protests and trucker blockades grow over rising costs.
Chile's far-right President José Antonio Kast, in office about eight months, has seen his approval fall to 24% in polls. Protests have grown over rising living costs, fuel prices and a decision to reduce sentences for 56 prisoners, which Kast has called an error. In July, his government chose not to use an anti-inflation tool to ease the fuel price rise linked to the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran. Prices jumped overnight, and motorists lined up at gas stations before the increase took effect.
This week, truckers' unions blockaded two major highways. On Friday, the strike ended after the government backed down and sent a bill to Congress to reverse the fuel measures.
By the numbers
- 24%Kast's approval in the polls
- 56prisoners whose sentences the government moved to cut
- 8 monthstime Kast has been in power
Key points
- Protesters cite affordability, environmental and human rights concerns.
- Truckers' unions blocked two major highways over fuel prices.
- Kast campaigned mainly on illegal immigration and public security.
What’s next: The government's bill reversing the fuel measures has been sent to Chile's congress.
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