Chilean President José Antonio Kast met with Argentine President Javier Milei on April 7 in Buenos Aires, marking Kast’s first foreign visit after assuming office in March. The two right-wing presidents vowed to increase collaboration on security and mining, the Associated Press reported. What is the potential for Kast and Milei striking significant bilateral agreements? What is the geopolitical significance of Argentina, Bolivia and Chile each being led by right-wing governments at the same time? To what extent could the arrangement result in coordinated mining policy across the southern Andes?
Lucía Dammert, professor of international relations at Universidad de Santiago de Chile: “The relationship between Chile and Argentina is fundamental and stands as one of the most strategically important bilateral ties in South America. The meeting between Presidents Kast and Milei should be understood not merely through an ideological lens, but as the continuation of a deep, multifaceted partnership that demands constant strengthening. Both countries have made significant advances in critical areas that now require renewed commitment: the infrastructure of border crossings across the Andes, the exchange of human capital and technical expertise and the development of fast-track trade mechanisms that can unlock the full economic potential of this corridor. Equally important, however, are shared responsibilities that transcend any single administration’s political orientation—the protection of Patagonia, the preservation of glaciers that sustain water systems on both sides of the border and the strengthening of both nations’ presence in Antarctica, where coordinated sovereignty claims and scientific cooperation carry enormous long-term geopolitical weight. Mining certainly plays a key role in this equation, particularly as global demand for lithium and copper intensifies, but it would be a mistake to reduce the bilateral agenda to extractive industries alone. Mining is one piece of a broader fabric in which the relationship is progressively consolidating across diplomatic, environmental, commercial and security dimensions. The fact that Argentina, Bolivia and Chile share right-leaning governments may facilitate political dialogue, but durable bilateral agreements depend on institutional frameworks, not ideological alignment. What matters most is whether these leaders invest in the structural architecture of cooperation that will outlast any single presidency.”
Federico Rojas de Galarreta, assistant professor at the International Studies Institute at Universidad de Chile: “The potential for Presidents José Antonio Kast and Javier Milei to reach significant bilateral agreements is real, but it is likely to be selective rather than far-reaching. The region has experienced previous moments of ideological alignment among governments, and those episodes did not consistently translate into effective cooperation. While ideological affinity can facilitate dialogue and reduce political frictions—especially at the presidential level—it is not sufficient on its own. In practice, national interests tend to prevail, so meaningful progress will depend on whether both sides can build an agenda around concrete, shared priorities, such as infrastructure, energy integration and specific cross-border initiatives. The fact that Chile, Argentina and Bolivia are currently led by right-leaning governments may create a more favorable environment for pragmatic coordination, particularly around investment and regulatory issues. That said, this convergence should not be overstated. Differences in development strategies, fiscal constraints and state capacity remain significant. In mining, there is a clear interest in greater cooperation; however, a competitive logic continues to dominate. Each country is primarily focused on attracting investment, capturing rents and strengthening its position in global value chains. In a context of rising geopolitical tensions, it would be prudent to be cautious about assuming that improved political relations will translate into coordinated mining policies. If cooperation does advance, it will likely take the form of limited, issue-specific arrangements rather than a fully articulated regional strategy.”
Patricio Navia, clinical professor of liberal studies at New York University and professor of political science at Universidad Diego Portales in Chile: “The talk of stronger trade relations and financial integration between Latin American countries has been a constant over the decades regardless of who is in power. But Latin American countries have been much better at creating new bureaucracies and multiplying multilateral initiatives than at advancing to eliminate trade barriers and promote integration of financial and technological services. As the political right is increasing its power in the region, the talk of moving forward with more integration initiatives has regained strength. Unfortunately, there are reasons not to be optimistic. Several regional trading blocs, like Mercosur, have protectionist policies. Entrenched agricultural and industrial sectors in several countries use regulations to obstruct the trade of goods. Moreover, there are discrepancies among right-wing leaders as to the benefits of free trade. U.S. President Donald Trump is a committed protectionist, and so are important Latin American leaders from the far right to the far left. Precisely because there has been much talk but less action about promoting bilateral and multilateral integration in recent decades, there are a lot of low-hanging-fruit reforms that could boost bilateral and multilateral trade and integration. But because there has been more talk than progress in recent decades, nobody should hold their breath for bilateral trade initiatives to pick up steam right away. In a world that is becoming more protectionist and in a continent whose leader is the champion of protectionism, bilateral trade deals are not going to be easy to come about—or be long-lasting—in the coming years.”
Peter M. Siavelis, professor of Politics and International Affairs at Wake Forest University: “Chile’s new president chose a meeting with Argentina’s President Javier Milei for his first international trip after taking office on March 11, signaling a clear effort to reset bilateral relations and capitalize on Latin America’s shifting ideological landscape. Bilateral ties had been strained under former President Gabriel Boric. Kast’s visit reflects the broader consolidation of right-leaning leadership in the region and a desire to counterbalance Brazil’s leftist President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. Not insignificantly, Argentina recently solidified its position as Chile’s second-largest trading partner in Latin America, underscoring the growing importance of the trans-Andean relationship. The meeting combined symbolism and substance. Symbolically, Milei agreed to cooperate on the extradition of former Chilean guerrilla leader Galvarino Apablaza, the accused mastermind of the 1991 assassination of Jaime Guzmán, a right-wing senator and Augusto Pinochet ally. In terms of substance, both governments highlighted the need for increased cooperation in mining, energy, border enforcement and fighting organized crime. Most significant, however, was the push to formalize large-scale cross-border mining projects. With vast shared mineral resources in the Andes, Argentina and Chile are well positioned to anchor a broader regional alliance, potentially incorporating Bolivia’s lithium industry and Peru’s copper sector. Such coordination could boost South America’s global competitiveness in strategic minerals and counterbalance the asymmetrical relations the countries would have with China should they go it alone. Kast’s trip suggests more than a diplomatic reset for newly ideologically akin governments: It also signals an emerging axis of economic pragmatism, ideological alignment and a more intimate relationship between countries that have, at times, historically been at odds.”
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