Kast Orders First Cabinet Reshuffle — Fastest Shuffle in Chile's Post-Dictatorship History

On May 19, 2026 — just 69 days into his administration — President José Antonio Kast announced the first cabinet reshuffle of his government, marking the fastest ministerial change in Chile's post-1990 democratic era. Security Minister Trinidad Steinert and presidential spokesperson Mara Sedini were removed from their positions. Martín Arrau, previously Public Works Minister, was appointed to head the Security Ministry; Interior Minister Claudio Alvarado assumed a dual role as bi-minister for Interior and the government spokespersons' secretariat (Segegob); and Louis de Grange was confirmed as bi-minister for Public Works and Transportation. Political analysts attributed the reshuffle primarily to falling approval ratings (26-39%), public backlash over fuel price hikes (subsequently reversed), friction within the ruling coalition over budget cuts, and the perception of weak security results in Santiago and Araucanía despite escalating operations at Temucuicui.