Chilean citizens remain deeply divided over President-elect José Antonio Kast’s decision to join the United States-backed Shield of the Americas security initiative. A late September 2026 Plaza Pública de Cadem poll reveals that 48 percent of respondents disagree with the entry, while 52 percent fear it signals subordination to Washington.
The U.S.-led security and cooperation architecture, which U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio lauded during a recent diplomatic tour, aims to build a multilateral defense against transnational narcoterrorism and organized crime across the Western Hemisphere.
Yet the alliance has triggered immediate geopolitical friction. Shortly after the announcement, Chinese ambassador to Chile Niu Qingbao delivered a politically charged address at the Sheraton hotel in Santiago during a reception celebrating the 77th anniversary of the establishment of the People’s Republic of China. US Ambassador Brandon Judd was among the diplomatic corps members, lawmakers from all political backgrounds, and government officials present at the event. Ambassador Niu emphasized that Beijing has never resorted to intimidation, pointedly telling the audience that bilateral ties should not be subject to third-party influence.
Public Opinion Splits on Sovereign Subordination Versus Security Cooperation
Domestic reaction to the pact has revealed a stark chasm between broad skepticism over national sovereignty and overwhelming support for practical police collaboration. According to the Plaza Pública de Cadem poll released on September 28, 2026, 48 percent of respondents disagree with Chile’s adhesion (five points more than the encuesta revealed the thursday), while 42 percent express support (three points less than in the anterior sondeo) and 10 percent abstained.
More than half of those surveyed — 52 percent believe the incorporation amounts to subordinating Chilean foreign policy to the United States against the 41% that do not believe it. That sentiment spikes dramatically among left-leaning voters, where 94 percent perceive a loss of autonomy.
At the same time, specific operational measures tied to the security framework enjoy massive public backing, with all measures reaching an approval superior to 50%.
- Restricting the entry of criminal organization members into the country: 86%
- Freezing the assets and property of criminal organizations: 81%
- Training Chilean police forces to combat organized crime: 79%
- Coordinating joint operations against transnational crime syndicates: 77%
- Exchanging intelligence information to fight criminal networks: 70%
The domestic political fallout extends into the upper echelons of former state leadership. Former heads of state Michelle Bachelet and Gabriel Boric voiced their disapproval on Thursday regarding the choice made by José Antonio Kast’s administration to enter the U.S.-backed initiative known as the Shield of the Americas, spearheaded by President Donald Trump, cautioning that the agreement compromises the country’s longstanding diplomatic heritage.
Michelle Bachelet and Gabriel Boric, former Chilean presidents
The former leaders acknowledged that international cooperation is indispensable to face threats such as organized crime. However, they said such collaboration must always be carried out without subordinating foreign, security or defense policy to priorities defined by an external power. They urged President Kast to reconsider the nation’s participation in the initiative.
Economic Stakes Between Washington and Beijing
For Santiago, the diplomatic balancing act carries immense economic weight. Ahead of taking office, President-elect José Antonio Kast conferred with Ni Hong, China’s Minister of Housing and Urban-Rural Development, during a March 10, 2026, session at the Cousino Palace in Santiago to discuss potential economic repercussions.
Kast Administration Approval Ratings Hit Lows Amid Diplomatic Debate
The regional security debate coincides with a domestic political slide for the sitting administration. The same Cadem survey recorded President Kast’s approval rating at 35 percent, marking the lowest level of support since his term began.
Disapproval for the president reached 58 percent in the latest weekly measuring period, down slightly from a monthly average high of 60 percent. Cracks in the administration’s base are visible: support among right-leaning identifiers dropped seven points to 72 percent, while backing among citizens over 55 years old fell six points to 48 percent.
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