Only three months after arriving at the Palacio de La Moneda, President José Antonio Kast faces the first major political and social crisis of his term. What began as a student protest against budget cuts in education has ended up becoming a broad expression of discontent involving teachers, unions, social organizations, human rights groups, and even sectors of retirees concerned about the future of social policies in the country. The mobilizations in May and June 2026 have opened a new chapter in the recent history of Chile, a country where the memory of the social outbreak of 2019 continues to condition the relationship between citizens, institutions, and political power.
The protests have centered on the streets of Santiago, especially the traditional Alameda and Plaza Baquedano, places loaded with political symbolism since the large protests that shook the country seven years ago. There, thousands of students called by the Confederation of Students of Chile took to the streets to express their rejection of the austerity measures promoted by the Executive and a set of legislative initiatives they consider a threat to public education and social rights.
The student mobilization did not arise spontaneously. It is the consequence of an accumulation of tensions produced by the economic decisions made by the new government since it came to power on March 11. During the presidential campaign, Kast had promised a severe fiscal consolidation program aimed at correcting the deficit inherited from Gabriel Boric's administration. Once installed in La Moneda, the president launched an ambitious plan to reduce public spending that includes cuts close to 3% in most ministries, with a special impact on sensitive areas such as education and health.
The students argue that the measures directly affect vulnerable sectors and compromise the continuity of programs considered fundamental for social mobility. Among the main criticisms is the reduction of spots for free university education, budget adjustments aimed at public education, and uncertainty regarding student support initiatives. A strong reaction has also been generated by the project called "Protected Schools", which includes greater control powers within educational establishments, including the searching of backpacks and sanctions that could affect access to free university education for students involved in certain crimes.
The controversy was further amplified by the so-called "National Reconstruction", the mega-economic reform promoted by the Executive and considered the emblematic project of the new administration. The initiative proposes a significant reduction in the corporate tax burden, long-term incentives for large investments, and a general redesign of economic policy aimed at growth and the attraction of capital. Its defenders argue that Chile needs to recover economic dynamism and international competitiveness. Its detractors, on the contrary, argue that the decrease in tax collection will weaken the state's capacity to finance social policies.
The perception that the government favors large economic groups while demanding sacrifices from the middle and popular sectors has become one of the central axes of the opposing discourse. Student leaders, academics, and union representatives claim that there is a contradiction between the official arguments about the need for austerity and the tax cuts proposed for the business sector. This criticism has resonated with a significant part of public opinion, particularly in a context marked by rising unemployment and the deterioration of some economic indicators.
The protests gained even greater dimension when teaching organizations joined in. The leadership of the president of the Teachers' College of Chile, Mario Aguilar, was especially visible during the mobilization days. Educators reported that budget cuts are already having concrete effects in schools and high schools, affecting extracurricular programs, hiring, and pedagogical resources. For the unions in the education sector, the adjustment policy threatens to deepen historical inequalities that Chile has yet to overcome.
The conflict escalated on June 3, when a massive march in Santiago ended in clashes with security forces. The controversy began even before the mobilization started. The organizers accused the authorities of last-minute modifications to the authorized route, preventing the march from advancing towards La Moneda. The police blockade caused immediate tensions and triggered an escalation that ended with the use of tear gas and water cannons by the police.
The image that ultimately symbolized the day was that of a law student from the University of Chile severely injured, photographed with her face covered in blood while being held by police officers. The photograph circulated in national and international media and sparked an intense discussion about the use of force by authorities. The episode prompted statements from the National Human Rights Institute and generated repercussions outside of Chile, including comments from Colombian President Gustavo Petro.
The government reaction was immediate and firm. The Minister of Public Security, Martín Arrau, rejected accusations of indiscriminate repression and stated that the state has the obligation to guarantee public order and protect both protesters and police officials. The government insisted that public opinion should also consider the civilians and police wounded, as well as the presence of violent groups among the protest participants.
The Kast administration has sought to construct a political narrative centered on the restoration of order, fiscal discipline, and economic recovery. In that logic, the controversial project to sanction so-called "incivilities" is also included, which contemplates restrictions on access to certain social benefits for people involved in conduct considered antisocial. The initiative has been harshly criticized by jurists, sociologists, and public policy experts, who warn that it could lead to indirect forms of social exclusion and primarily affect the most vulnerable sectors.
Among the critical voices stands out that of political scientist Alfredo Joignant, who has warned about the risk of confusing social benefits with social rights. Likewise, sociologist Eugenio Tironi has described some of these proposals as expressions of a "velvet authoritarianism", a formula that summarizes part of the opposition's fear of a growing punitive orientation of the state.
Beyond the immediate dispute, the protests reveal a structural tension that runs through Chilean society. On one hand, there is a significant demand for greater security, fiscal discipline, and economic growth, elements that explain Kast's electoral victory. On the other hand, a strong social sensitivity regarding education, health, and the protection mechanisms built over the last decades persists. The confrontation between these two visions likely constitutes the main political axis of contemporary Chile.
The future evolution of the crisis will depend on several factors. If the economy manages to show clear signs of recovery in the second half of the year and the government can demonstrate that fiscal adjustments produce tangible results in employment and investment, it is possible that part of the social unrest will lose intensity. However, if economic indicators continue to deteriorate and the cuts begin to be felt more directly in public services, protests could expand to other social sectors.
There is also the possibility that the student movement will act as a catalyst for a broader coalition of discontent. Public workers' unions, health organizations, retirees' movements, and sectors of parliamentary opposition are carefully watching the development of events. If these actors converge on a common agenda, the government could face considerable social pressure, similar in some aspects to the mobilization dynamics that marked the past decade.
For now, Chile stands at a crossroads. The protests of May and June 2026 do not constitute merely a dispute over budgets or educational reforms. They represent a deeper debate about the role of the state, the distribution of the costs of the economic adjustment, and the development model that Chilean society desires for the coming years. The Kast government insists that fiscal discipline and private investment are indispensable conditions for recovering growth. Its critics respond that no recovery will be sustainable if built on the weakening of public education and social rights.
Between these two positions, a confrontation unfolds that has only just begun and will likely define the political climate in Chile for much of the decade. The streets of Santiago have once again become the stage where a fundamental discussion about the country's future is fought. And, as has happened in other decisive moments in Chilean history, the outcome of that discussion will have consequences that extend far beyond the confines of education or the immediate economic context.
Adalberto Agozino is a Doctor in Political Science, International Analyst, and Professor at the University of Buenos Aires
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