SANTIAGO, Chile – Chile’s ongoing expansion of reproductive rights faces a potential setback as far-right presidential candidate Jose Antonio Kast moves toward a likely runoff victory in December. Kast, a staunch Catholic and leader of the Republican Party, has consistently opposed abortion and emergency contraception, sparking concerns among women’s rights advocates that the country could see a dramatic rollback of legal protections for reproductive health.

Background: Chile’s Abortion Laws

Abortion in Chile was completely banned under the military dictatorship of General Augusto Pinochet from 1973 to 1990. In 2017, the country partially decriminalized abortion, permitting the procedure only under three circumstances, known as the “tres causales”:

1. Risk to the life of the woman
2. Fetal inviability
3. Pregnancy resulting from rape

While these legal reforms were a step forward, access remains limited due to social stigma, funding shortages, and bureaucratic hurdles, with the majority of abortions still carried out clandestinely or abroad.

Kast’s Position on Reproductive Rights

Kast has actively campaigned to block further loosening of abortion restrictions, proposed by the outgoing leftist administration of President Gabriel Boric. Beyond opposing expansion, Kast has signaled he may attempt to roll back existing exceptions, threatening decades of progress for Chilean women.

During a recent debate, Kast reaffirmed his position:

“I support life from conception to natural death.”

The candidate’s conservative stance extends to emergency contraception, including the morning-after pill, which he opposes distributing in pharmacies.

Political Climate Driving Far-Right Support

Support for Kast and his coalition, including Orthodox Christian figure Johannes Kaiser, surged in Chile’s November general elections. Analysts cite widespread public concern over crime and migration as key factors fueling the far-right’s popularity. While polls indicate that most Chileans support maintaining existing abortion rights, the coalition’s strong legislative presence may empower Kast to push controversial policies if elected.

Advocates warn that even if laws are not immediately changed, budgetary control could restrict access to contraception and abortion services. Claudia Sarmiento, a constitutional law expert at Alberto Hurtado University, explained:

“What’s most important, whether or not the law is changed, is the budget. Access to contraception is governed by the budget law, controlled by the executive.”

Cuts to state-funded reproductive health programs could effectively limit women’s choices without a formal legal rollback.

Public Opinion and Personal Perspectives

Many Chileans express concern about potential restrictions but remain divided on priorities. Abigail Mariqueo, 21, a kindergarten teacher in Santiago, told Reuters she fears a Kast presidency may repeal abortion rights but believes security concerns currently take precedence. Meanwhile, 52-year-old insurance saleswoman Anahi Salazar stressed the importance of personal choice in reproductive health, noting that her family is deeply religious.

Activists working with networks such as With Friends and At Home report that the majority of Chilean women seeking abortions do so outside the state system due to fear of legal repercussions or social stigma. Only a minority of abortions, around 6,600 since 2017, are officially recorded, with rape accounting for the largest share among girls under 14.

Regional Context: Latin America and Abortion

Chile’s potential reversal would align it with other Latin American countries maintaining strict abortion limits. While Argentina legalized abortion up to 14 weeks in 2020, Costa Rica recently limited procedures to cases where the woman’s life is at risk. Mexico’s Supreme Court, in contrast, ruled criminalizing abortion unconstitutional in 2021, prompting gradual reforms.

Restrictions often drive unsafe procedures, a thriving black market for unregulated medications, and re-victimization of survivors of sexual violence. Experts warn that policies like mandatory criminal reporting for abortion after rape could exacerbate these issues, particularly for minors and vulnerable women.

Upcoming Runoff and Implications

Kast is projected to win the December 14 presidential runoff against leftist candidate Jeannette Jara, who initially pledged to expand abortion access up to 14 weeks of pregnancy but later softened her position due to coalition opposition. If elected, Kast’s presidency could significantly influence Chile’s approach to reproductive rights, from abortion and contraception access to broader sexual health programs.

The outcome of the Chilean election is now viewed as a key test for reproductive rights in Latin America, where political shifts have repeatedly reshaped women’s access to safe and legal abortion services.