Chilean libertarian Johannes Kaiser is promising to withdraw Chile from the Inter-American Court of Human Rights (IACHR), in his latest bid for presidency.
Kaiser, whose full name is Johannes Maximilian Kaiser Barents-von Hohenhagen, has tapped into widespread frustration among Chilean voters on issues of crime and immigration that have dominated the election campaign.
The 49-year-old – one of eight candidates vying to succeed leftist Gabriel Boric in November 16 elections – entered a campaign event on Tuesday to a heavy metal song composed for the occasion, with a message about "defending freedom."
"The Inter-American Court of Human Rights, which is constantly interfering in our internal affairs, is sabotaging our security policies... We're going to withdraw!" Kaiser proclaimed.
The libertarian candidate also promised to review "international agreements" signed by Chile, excluding trade agreements, and assured that he would eliminate those that "don't work."
Kaiser's platform combines a "tough on crime" approach to security with an ultraliberal economic ideology and a conservative social one.
He has proposed detaining immigrants at the border, transferring prisoners to El Salvador's notorious mega-prison, and reducing the number of government ministries from 25 to nine, including eliminating those dedicated to education, women, and the environment.
Kaiser rose to fame in Chile a few years ago thanks to his controversial YouTube videos.
He has also said that he would be open to releasing those serving sentences for human rights violations committed during the Augusto Pinochet's dictatorship from 1973 to 1990 and withdrawing Chile from the Paris Agreement on climate change.
– TIMES/AFP
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