Overview
- José Antonio Kast ended scheduled bilateral meetings after leaving La Moneda, saying he no longer trusts the information provided by the outgoing administration on the cable project.
- Gabriel Boric said Kast demanded a public retraction of Boric’s claim that he briefed him by phone on February 18, and Boric refused.
- The rift centers on a proposed Chinese fiber‑optic submarine cable and related U.S. actions, including recent revocations of visas for three Chilean officials.
- Boric said the United States issued explicit threats over the project, referencing potential broader visa cancellations and the visa waiver, while a February 20 State Department statement under President Donald Trump accused Chilean officials of undermining regional security.
- With the inauguration set for March 11, ministerial handovers are suspended as both sides trade blame; Boric says his government remains available to resume talks, and Kast told him not to take major decisions in his final days.