Carolina Tohá Criticizes Kast Government’s First Days in Office | Chile News
Carolina Tohá Criticizes Kast Administration, Accuses Government of Manufacturing Crisis
Santiago, Chile – Carolina Tohá, former Minister of the Interior, has sharply criticized the administration of President José Antonio Kast, alleging the government has deliberately created a state of emergency. Tohá’s comments, made via her X account, center on recent government decisions regarding fuel prices, a high-ranking police official, and Chile’s bid for a leadership role at the United Nations.
Fuel Prices, Personnel Changes, and UN Bid: A Cascade of Decisions
Tohá’s criticism focuses on a series of actions taken within the first three days of the Kast administration. These include the decision not to cap petroleum prices, leading to a significant increase – the largest in 40 years, according to Tohá – the forced retirement of Consuelo Peña, formerly the Deputy Director of Intelligence for the Investigative Police (PDI), and the withdrawal of Chile’s candidacy for a leadership position within the United Nations. She argues these actions were undertaken to deflect responsibility for the government’s policies and have effectively created a crisis where none previously existed.
“If there wasn’t an emergency before, they created one,” Tohá stated, echoing a term frequently used during Kast’s campaign. The timing of these decisions, so early in the administration, is central to Tohá’s argument that the government is intentionally fostering a sense of crisis.
Kast Administration Declares “Government of Emergency”
The current administration, yet, has signaled its intention to operate under a state of emergency. Máximo Pavez, the Undersecretary of the Interior, announced on March 9th that the “process of installing the government of emergency” under President Kast had begun. This declaration, made shortly after Kast assumed office, suggests a proactive approach to addressing perceived challenges, a stance Tohá directly challenges with her recent statements.
Chile’s Political Landscape: A Shift to the Right
The election of José Antonio Kast in 2025 marked a significant shift in Chile’s political landscape. As reported by Americas Quarterly, Kast’s campaign focused heavily on addressing issues of security and immigration, appealing to a conservative base concerned about rising crime rates and economic instability. His victory ended decades of center-left dominance in Chilean politics.
Carolina Tohá’s Political Trajectory
Carolina Tohá is a prominent figure in Chilean politics, having served as Minister of the Interior under the previous administration. She also ran as a presidential candidate, though she did not advance to the final round of voting. Her critique of the Kast administration positions her as a leading voice of the opposition, and her statements are likely to fuel further debate about the government’s policies and its handling of the current economic and political climate. Bloomberg.com reports that Tohá has been gaining traction in polls as a potential leader of the center-left opposition.
What Happens Next?
The immediate future will likely see increased scrutiny of the Kast administration’s policies and a continued effort by the opposition, led by figures like Tohá, to hold the government accountable. The effectiveness of the declared “government of emergency” remains to be seen, and its impact on the Chilean economy and social stability will be closely watched. The political dynamic between the government and the opposition is expected to intensify as the administration moves forward with its agenda. As Peoples Dispatch notes, a new presidential election is scheduled for 2025, meaning the current political climate will continue to evolve as parties prepare for the next electoral cycle.
Confirmed vs. Unclear: It is confirmed that Carolina Tohá made the statements criticizing the Kast administration via her X account. It is confirmed that Máximo Pavez announced the “government of emergency” on March 9th. The extent to which the Kast administration deliberately created a crisis, as alleged by Tohá, remains a matter of interpretation and political debate. The specific economic impacts of the fuel price increases are still unfolding and have not been fully quantified.