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🇵🇾 Paraguay /Elections & Politics

Kast praises “respect” across political divides after Madrid Forum controversy

From ABC Color · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

Newswire From a news agency Context piece
  • Chilean President José Antonio Kast called for respect and protection of institutions after a contentious week surrounding the far-right Madrid Forum in Santiago.
  • Kast’s remarks followed criticism of Argentine President Javier Milei’s speech at the event and the Chilean government’s decision not to hold an official ceremony marking the 1973 coup.
  • Kast also paid tribute to former Senate leader Camilo Escalona, whose death prompted two days of national mourning.

Chilean President José Antonio Kast used a ceremony at the Grand Lodge of Chile to call for respect across political and ideological differences, after a week of controversy surrounding the international far-right Madrid Forum held in Santiago.

“Always, beyond our legitimate political differences, I have found here a place of respect, a place where we can talk and dream about the Chile we all want, in a homeland and a republic,” Kast said at the Fraternitas de la República 2026 ceremony. He also told officials and representatives from different sectors that institutions must be protected.

Always, beyond our legitimate political differences, I have found here a place of respect, a place where we can talk and dream about the Chile we all want, in a homeland and a republic.

· José Antonio KastKast called for respectful dialogue during a ceremony at the Grand Lodge of Chile.

“We are brothers, since we are children of the same homeland,” Kast added, extending his appeal for common ground to religious and philosophical differences as well as political ones.

His remarks came after the government rejected criticism from Chile’s left over comments by Argentine President Javier Milei at the Madrid Forum, an event created by Spain’s far right. Milei attacked the left and cited Chile’s recent history, saying, “The best antidote against these filthy leftists who deny reality is data.” He also described Chile as an emblematic place for what he called a cultural struggle.

We are brothers, since we are children of the same homeland.

· José Antonio KastHe used the phrase while discussing democratic coexistence and common ground across differences.

Kast also addressed the death of Camilo Escalona, a former Senate president and leader of the Socialist Party who died at 71. The government declared two days of national mourning. Kast said Escalona was brave and true to his word, despite their disagreements, and recalled serving alongside him as a lawmaker.

The president’s comments followed his decision earlier in the week not to hold an official ceremony at La Moneda marking the 53rd anniversary of the 1973 coup against Salvador Allende’s socialist government.

The best antidote against these filthy leftists who deny reality is data.

· Javier MileiMilei made the remark during the Madrid Forum in Santiago, prompting criticism from Chile’s left.
About this summary

Originally published by ABC Color in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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