Isabel Díaz Ayuso, president of the Community of Madrid, has awarded the region’s International Medal to Chilean president José Antonio Kast. During the ceremony, Ayuso said the distinction recognised his commitment to “freedom, security, prosperity and the defence of institutions”.
Ayuso told Kast that the medal was being presented “for everything you have done so far and everything you have ahead of you”. The Madrid president has previously given the same distinction to other right-wing leaders, including Argentina’s Javier Milei and Ecuador’s Daniel Noboa.
In her speech, Ayuso contrasted Kast’s programme with that of Chile’s previous government, led by left-wing president Gabriel Boric. She accused the former administration of damaging economic stability and discouraging investment, while presenting Kast as an advocate of low taxes, institutional stability and confidence for workers, entrepreneurs, investors and employers.
Ayuso said that, in the first months of his term, Kast had placed these priorities at the centre of his government’s agenda. She also linked him with Milei and Noboa as representatives of what she described as the defence of freedom and citizens’ right to determine their own future.
The Madrid president called for an alliance between Chile and Spain, describing the two countries as connected economically, culturally and politically. She said both governments defended liberal democracies and the rule of law against authoritarianism.
Ayuso argued that Chile needed “courageous reforms” to achieve prosperity, adding that countries could not progress without security, legal certainty or confidence among citizens and businesses. She said Kast’s presidency offered Chile an opportunity to regain a leading role in the continent.
She also called for greater exchanges between Chile and Spain in education, knowledge, culture, business and investment. In closing, Ayuso framed the relationship around freedom, the rule of law, security, prosperity and the dignity of the individual.
Sources: elDiario.es.