Chile's Kast channels Pinochet's ghost against 'communist' left

Chilean presidential candidate Jose Antonio Kast from the far-right Republican Party meets with his supporters during a campaign rally, ahead of the December 19 second round presidential elections, in Vina del Mar, Chile, December 6, 2021. REUTERS/Rodrigo Garrido/Files

SANTIAGO (Reuters) - Chilean ultra-conservative presidential candidate Jose Antonio Kast, sometimes likened to Brazilian leader Jair Bolsonaro and a defender of former dictator General Augusto Pinochet, is riding a wave of voter anger and fear over immigration and crime.

The 55-year-old lawyer, a Catholic and father of nine, will compete against leftist lawmaker Gabriel Boric, twenty years his junior, in a polarized and delicately balanced run-off election on Sunday. He is marginally behind in opinion polls.