The president of Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro, issued a strong warning this Monday against the President-elect of Chile, José Antonio Kast, over his criticisms of Venezuelan migrants living in that country. “Be very careful if you touch a single hair of a Venezuelan,” Maduro declared on his television show, insisting that “he who messes with Venezuela dries up”.
Context of Maduro‘s statements
The words of Maduro are in response to Kast‘s remarks about Venezuelan migrants in Chilean political speeches. The Venezuelan leader urged that his compatriots be respected, arguing that the Chilean Constitution protects their rights. Furthermore, he accused Kast of being a Pinochetist and called for leaving those who reside peacefully in Chile alone.
In parallel, Maduro invited Venezuelan migrants to return through the Vuelta a la Patria program, coordinated by Vice President Delcy Rodríguez. He promised full support, including free tickets, similar to returns from the United States.
Kast‘s migration plan generates tension
Venezuelan migrants in Kast‘s crosshairs
José Antonio Kast, who will take office in March 2026 as the first post-dictatorship Pinochetist leader, centers his agenda on migration control. His landslide victory in 16 regions reflects rejection of Gabriel Boric’s policies, criticized by Diosdado Cabello as lukewarm.
Kast‘s Border Shield proposes walls over 5 meters high, trenches, drones with facial recognition, and thermal radars, inspired by Donald Trump’s measures. It includes state force at borders, sanctions for employers of irregulars, and a ban on renting to these Venezuelan migrants.
Background and key figures
Chile hosts nearly 500,000 Venezuelan migrants, according to data from the National Migration Service up to 2024, many in an irregular situation. The Venezuelan crisis, with hyperinflation and a massive exodus since 2015, has driven this migration. Maduro linked criticisms to a supposed “Nazi-fascist” resurgence in Chile.
- Kast moderated his tone on the campaign trail: from deportation to “inviting to leave”.
- The Vuelta a la Patria program has repatriated more than 500,000 since 2018.
- Diplomatic tension grows ahead of the change of government in Chile.
This exchange raises concerns about Venezuelan migrants and bilateral relations. Maduro reiterates a staunch defense, while Kast prioritizes border sovereignty.
