SANTIAGO, CHILE — Thousands of people marched in Santiago and 14 other cities across Chile on March 22, 2026, to protest President José Antonio Kast's rollback of environmental regulations. The demonstrations coincided with World Water Day.

The demonstration was called by several environmental organizations under the slogan "Don't 'Kast-igate' Nature." The protests took place in 15 cities across Chile and drew thousands of participants.

President Kast's administration halted 43 environmental protection regulations one day after taking office. The regulations had been signed during the government of former President Gabriel Boric.

Among the halted regulations were measures that protected Darwin's frog and the Humboldt penguin. The suspended rules also included measures that created national parks and outlined decontamination plans for bodies of water such as Lake Villarrica. Additional halted regulations governed emissions from thermoelectric plants.

In Chile, 1.4 million people lack access to drinking water, according to Cristóbal Rodríguez.

President Kast said he favors economic deregulation and prioritizes technical criteria over "environmental ideologies." Kast succeeded Gabriel Boric as president of Chile earlier in March 2026.

The president has acknowledged the existence of climate change in his government plan and campaign statements. "I want to generate public policy that promotes full employment while respecting the environment," Kast said.