Chilean students mobilize against cuts and policies of the Kast Government

Published at: 04/05/2026 08:30 AM

Thousands of students are mobilizing this Monday along the main roads of Santiago de Chile to express their rejection of the recent fiscal adjustments and cuts in social programs implemented by the government of José Antonio Kast.

The protest, which brought together various student organizations and educational unions, denounces a significant setback in terms of acquired rights, pointing out that current policies deepen inequality gaps in the country.

The focus of discontent lies in the budget cut affecting more than 140 public programs, impacting critical areas such as school feeding by the National Board of School Aid and Scholarships (JUNAEB) and free higher education. For student leaders, these measures represent a “blow to the pocket” of working families, especially in a context of high inflation where the cost of basic services and supplies has increased considerably under the current administration.

The day of protest was marked by a strong police presence, leading to incidents and arrests after the use of shuttle cars and tear gas to disperse the demonstrators in the Alameda. The Executive has tried to minimize the impact of criticism by describing budget documents as internal drafts, however, the student movement maintains that the Government's economic road map seeks to dismantle the social protection network.

These mobilizations are part of a climate of growing social tension in Chile, fueled by discontent with the Energy Emergency Law and the general increase in the cost of living. With this new wave of protests, the student sector reaffirms its role as an engine of political resistance, warning that the streets will remain active until the cuts that compromise the educational future and the well-being of the most vulnerable communities are reversed.

Mazo News Team