Desk answers viewer question on Kast and Chile's economy

Chile's central bank cut its 2026 growth forecast to under 1 percent as unemployment hit a five-year high of 9.5 percent under Kast's administration.

On air: Chip Darnell, Dale Bearman and Dr. Nina Byte on The Five O'Clock
Published 4:38 PM ET, Thursday, October 15, 2026

At a glance

First reported by UPI: “Unemployment, weak economy mark Kast’s first six months in Chile - UPI.com”, with reporting from World Socialist Web Site and The National Interest.
Covered on BBN on Thursday, October 15, 2026, at 4:38 PM ET on The Five O'Clock, by Chip Darnell, Dale Bearman and Dr. Nina Byte.

The real story

The reporting behind this segment. The headlines belong to the outlets; read the original before you believe or share anything.

UPIUnemployment, weak economy mark Kast’s first six months in Chile - UPI.com
World Socialist Web SiteDeepening economic crisis in Chile fuels Kast’s war on the working class - World Socialist Web Site
The National InterestChile’s Right in Power—José Antonio Kast’s First Six Months in Office - The National Interest

What BBN said about it

Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorA viewer on bbn.live wants the desk's opinion on Chile's Kast administration, how his agenda hit the economy, and what it means for South America.
Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentUPI reports Chile's central bank cut its twenty twenty-six growth forecast to between a quarter and three quarters of one percent, and unemployment hit nine point five percent, a five-year high.
Dale Bearman · Chief Skeptic & ContributorNine point five!
Dale Bearman · Chief Skeptic & ContributorAnd his first big move was scrapping the fuel price cushion, so gasoline jumped over forty percent in a day and diesel fifty-four.
Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorIn one day?
Dale Bearman · Chief Skeptic & ContributorOne day.
Dale Bearman · Chief Skeptic & ContributorSomebody in Santiago filled a tank and then had to sell the car to the attendant. Approval fell from fifty-seven percent to thirty-eight, and by Saturday it's a rounding error.
Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentThose are reported polling numbers, Dale, and they're not on a trendline to zero.
Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentHe also passed a narrow reform for his economic agenda, though his security reform draws civil liberties criticism.
Dale Bearman · Chief Skeptic & ContributorNarrow! A narrow win just means you barely made it across the finish line.
Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentAs for an opinion and the regional effect on South America, the sources are partisan and disagree, and spillover wasn't covered, so we won't guess.
Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorSo the regional effect is unknown. Ask us anything at bbn.live.
Dale Bearman · Chief Skeptic & ContributorUnknown is just doom wearing a poncho.