Square in Santiago, Chile
Members of the media may directly contact the following experts on this topic:

Marie-Christine Doran (English, French and Spanish)

Full Professor, School of Political Studies, Faculty of Social Sciences and Director,  Observatory on Violence, Criminalization and Democracy

mcdoran@uottawa.ca

Professor Doran's research focuses on South America including democracy and governance, violence, justice and human rights and political legitimacy.

" The victory of far-right candidate José Antonio Kast signals the implementation in Chile of Nayib Bukele's famous security model, so highly praised by President Donald Trump.

This expansion of Bukele's so-called “miraculous” security model seriously undermines the rule of law and threatens democracy. It has also failed to resolve drug-related violence in other countries that have implemented it, such as Ecuador and Honduras.

In addition to its significant links to U.S. foreign policy, which welcomes the election of a Chilean president who shares Trump's views, there are also important ramifications for Canada, as Chile was a great democratic ally of Canada, in addition to the fact that the Chilean community is one of the largest and most integrated in the country."