Event Summary
The new president of Chile, José Antonio Kast, only days after taking office, withdrew 43 environmental decrees inherited from the administration of former president Gabriel Boric. The incoming government stated that this decision is part of an internal audit process aimed at thoroughly reviewing all pending decrees and regulations, as reported by the Ministry of the Environment. As a result, each of these measures will need to be resubmitted once they have been individually assessed.
These actions effectively reopen the status of environmental protections and previously safeguarded areas within the country, generating significant repercussions in digital spaces as well as among civil society and the broader public. Chile, once regarded as a pioneer in environmental protection and sustainability promotion, now faces a complex situation in which many of the instruments designed to safeguard the environment are under reconsideration. The response from environmental organizations and civil society actors reflects growing concern about the role these groups will play under the new administration.
These decisions pose a direct risk to the country’s ecosystem stability and that of its diverse regions. Numerous environmental organizations, activists, and members of the broader public have strongly condemned these decisions, calling for large-scale demonstrations in opposition. These mobilizations, which have brought together thousands of people in peaceful protest, reflect widespread concern over the potential consequences of these measures. Demonstrations have been organized across multiple cities, including Arica, Copiapó, Antofagasta, Valparaíso, Temuco, Concepción, Valdivia, and Puerto Natales, among other regions.
At the same time, more than 247 Chilean organizations, along with thousands of individuals, have signed a letter warning the national government about the potential consequences of these actions. In this statement, organizations emphasized: “This massive withdrawal sends a troubling signal to our society: instead of accelerating the implementation of long-awaited and agreed-upon tools, there is a move toward regression and delay.”