In a significant move to reshape regional diplomacy and security, Chile’s President-elect José Antonio Kast visited, marking the first stop of an international tour designed to study successful governance models before he officially assumes office on 11 March 2026.
He was accompanied by his wife, María Pía Adriasola, and key members of his future cabinet when he landed in Santiago de los Caballeros on Saturday, 24 January. He was received by a high-level Dominican delegation led by Foreign Minister Roberto Álvarez, Defense Minister Carlos Fernández Onofre, and Housing Minister Víctor “Ito” Bisonó.
During his initial remarks, Kast expressed profound admiration for the Dominican Republic’s rapid modernization. Having first visited the country 35 years ago, the President-elect noted that the nation’s progress in infrastructure and economic stability continues to “surprise” him. He specifically pointed to the Dominican Republic as a benchmark for Chile in the sectors of tourism and large-scale infrastructure development.
“For us as a nation, it is very important to see models of development and growth in the tourism and infrastructure sectors,” Kast stated, emphasizing his intent to bring these successful strategies back to Chile.
Strengthening bilateral ties
In a bilateral meeting with Dominican President Luis Abinader, both leaders pledged to deepen economic and political cooperation. A central theme of the discussion was the revitalization of a joint trade committee to boost binational exchange. President Abinader expressed a clear interest in expanding trade, noting, “We want to buy more Chilean wines, but we also want our cigars to enter Chile duty-free.”
The talks also touched on technical cooperation in mining, specifically regarding the development of rare earth minerals, resources critical for modern technology and sustainable development.
Border Security and the “smart fence”
On Sunday, 25 January 2026, the focus shifted to national security. Kast and President Abinader traveled to the border province of Dajabón to inspect the “smart perimeter fence” (verja inteligente) being constructed along the border with Haiti.
Kast praised the Dominican Republic’s migration policy as “relevant and exemplary,” particularly given the complex reality of two distinct nations sharing a single island. The President-elect spent the afternoon observing the integration of physical barriers with advanced technology, including biometric controls, drones, and surveillance sensors.
“They have been successful in border control here, and we want to achieve the same,” Kast remarked, indicating that while geographical realities differ, the Dominican model of a “living border” — which combines security with economic incentives like free trade zones— offers valuable lessons for Chile’s own border challenges.
Following his visit to the Dominican Republic, Kast is scheduled to continue his tour to El Salvador to meet with President Nayib Bukele and conclude his trip at a regional economic forum in Panama.
Read more in Spanish:
Presidency
Listin Diario
El Dia
Hoy
N Digital
27 January 2026