José Antonio Kast, one of Chile’s most prominent politicians in recent years, is once again in the spotlight—not only for his ambitions, but also for his close ties to Spain’s ultraconservative circles. In an attempt to shed the label of a radical, Kast is presenting himself as a pragmatic politician in the current campaign. However, his past and his connections to Spanish anti-abortion movements tell a different story.
From 2022 to 2024, Kast headed the international organization Red Política de Valores (PNfV), founded by former Spanish Interior Minister Jaime Mayor Oreja and his associate Lola Velarde. This group brings together politicians and activists from Europe, the Americas, and Africa, but its core remains in Madrid. Until 2022, PNfV even shared a legal address with another project of Mayor Oreja—Fundación Valores y Sociedad. Only in 2022 did the organization become independent, but it still operates out of the Spanish capital.
Within PNfV, Kast found himself among key figures of the Spanish and international far-right scene. Among them was former Partido Popular senator Javier Puente, who actively supported Kast during his Chilean campaign, as well as American and Hungarian politicians known for their conservative stances. In December 2024, shortly before Kast stepped down as president of PNfV, the organization held a major anti-abortion conference in the Spanish Senate. The event featured calls to uphold traditional values, criticism of migration policies, and even endorsements of ideas about nations’ ‘ethnic integrity.’
Spanish organizations and personal contacts
Kast’s ties with Spanish activists are not limited to PNfV. In 2019, together with his wife, he visited the office of Hazte Oír—one of Spain’s most prominent anti-abortion and anti-gender organizations. There, he met with its leaders and voiced his support for their campaigns against transgender recognition and gender violence laws. Hazte Oír is best known for its controversial anti-LGBT bus, which in 2017 even made it to Chile, sparking widespread protests. Kast openly sided with the Spanish activists at that time.
Among his allies is Ignacio Arsuaga, head of Hazte Oír and Citizen Go, as well as American ultraconservatives like Brian Brown, the organizer of the World Congress of Families. These contacts create a tightly knit network in which Kast plays a prominent role.
Political alliances and support for Vox
Kast makes no secret of his support for the Spanish party Vox and its leader, Santiago Abascal. He has repeatedly traveled to Madrid, met with the party leadership, spoken at their events, and expressed public support. In 2024, Kast was one of the main guests at the Viva 24 festival, where his speech was met with ovations. His relationship with Vox goes beyond formal cooperation—this is a true political family, united by shared views on migration, the family, and traditional values.
In recent years, Kast has been an active participant in European and international forums addressing issues such as opposition to abortion, the defense of the traditional family, and criticism of modern liberal trends. His stance on abortion remains among the strictest: he opposes any exceptions, even in cases of rape, a position that has repeatedly sparked heated debate in Chile.
The influence of the Spanish far-right on Chilean politics
Kast’s story is a clear example of how Spanish ultraconservative movements and their leaders shape politicians beyond Europe. Through personal contacts, joint campaigns, and international organizations, they create a united front against abortion, LGBT rights, and migration. For Kast, these ties are not only a tool for political support but a core part of his ideological identity.
With the second round of Chile’s presidential election approaching, attention to these links is only growing. The question of how much influence the Spanish far-right can wield in Latin American politics is becoming increasingly relevant. Despite efforts to distance himself from a radical image, Kast remains one of the main bridges connecting Spanish and Latin American conservatives.
