Chilean Citizens Rally on World Water Day Against Environmental Policy Reversals

Thousands of protesters took to the streets across Chile on World Water Day to oppose President José Antonio Kast's decision to eliminate dozens of environmental protections. The demonstrations targeted Kast's rollback of 43 environmental regulations that had protected wildlife species and created conservation programs.

SANTIAGO, Chile — Large crowds gathered in Chile’s capital and 14 other cities on Sunday to observe World Water Day while demonstrating against newly-elected President José Antonio Kast’s elimination of environmental protection measures.

Kast, an arch-conservative leader, reversed numerous environmental regulations that had been established under his predecessor, left-leaning former President Gabriel Boric, whom he succeeded earlier this month.

Environmental groups organized the protests under the banner “Don’t ‘Kast-igate’ Nature,” drawing substantial participation across the nation’s urban centers.

According to Cristóbal Rodríguez, who serves as national spokesperson for the Movement for the Defense and Access to Water, Land and the Environment, Chile still faces significant challenges with 1.4 million residents lacking access to clean drinking water.

Rodríguez criticized the new president, stating he “represents a setback that reflects his Pinochet-era roots and is commodifying nature to levels never seen before.”

Just one day into his presidency, Kast suspended 43 environmental protection rules. These regulations had safeguarded wildlife including Darwin’s frog and the Humboldt penguin, established national parks, and created cleanup initiatives for areas like Lake Villarrica. The measures also controlled emissions from power plants.

When addressing reporters about his decision, Kast stated: “We want to generate the best possible public policy around full employment, always respecting the environment.”

The environmental advocate Rodríguez accused the new government of treating “nature as a battleground to favor the interests of big capital” and described the elimination of the “43 decrees shows an environmental chainsaw approach.”

Throughout his campaign and in his governing platform, Kast has recognized climate change as real but advocates for reducing economic regulations and emphasizing technical approaches over what he terms “environmental ideologies.”

Kast’s election represents Chile’s sharpest conservative shift since 1990, when the nation returned to democratic governance following 17 years under military dictator General Augusto Pinochet — a figure Kast supported during his younger years.