US Edition
Fuel Prices Spike in Chile, Posing Early Political Test for Kast
Fuel prices rose 30% for gasoline and 60% for diesel as the government responded to international cost shocks, triggering protests and Kast's approval dropping to 47%, pollster Cadem found.
- On Thursday, President Jose Antonio Kast implemented a steep fuel price hike across Chile, raising 93 octane gasoline by about 30% and diesel by 60% to align with surging international rates amid Middle East conflict.
- Officials stated the government could no longer absorb mounting cost shocks from global market volatility, forcing the abrupt adjustment at pumps across Chile to stabilize volatile international fuel rates.
- A Cadem poll shows Kast's approval dipping to 47%, with 59% of Chileans saying the hike was avoidable and 54% expecting further increases in fuel prices.
- Students marched in Santiago on Thursday against administration policies, while driver Valentina Ortega described gasoline as "gold," criticizing impacts on the middle and lower classes.
- Freezing public transport fares through December aims to offset the fuel shock, though JPMorgan analysts warn the price jump could trigger nonlinear inflation pressures beyond the central bank's forecast of around 4%.
12 Articles
12 Articles
Fuel Price Surge Tests Chilean Administration Amid Growing Discontent
A significant hike in fuel prices announced by the Chilean government has led to public outcry and protests. President Jose Antonio Kast's administration is facing criticism for the decision, as the hike affects the cost of living, with gas stations running empty and citizens expressing their discontent through protests.
SANTIAGO (AP) — Images of empty gas stations stand in stark contrast to the chaos of the previous two days. Amid protests, criticism, and pot-banging demonstrations, a historic fuel price hike went into effect in Chile on Thursday…
SANTIAGO (AP) — The images of empty gas stations contrast with the collapse of the previous two days. In the midst of protests, criticisms and pans, a historic readjustment of fuel prices in Chile came into effect on Thursday, a measure that collapsed the approval of the government of José Antonio Kast just two weeks after it assumed the presidency. On Monday, the government announced an unprecedented escalation in the prices of gasoline and die…
In Now Es When we talked with the president of the Senate, Paulina Núñez, about these first two weeks of President José Antonio Kast's government, and the first communication crisis he faces after the controversial fuel rise.
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 80% of the sources are Center
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
