At an event held at the Real Casa de Correos, Ayuso stated that the distinction symbolizes "shared history, friendship, and the firm will to continue walking together", emphasizing that "freedom is not granted, it is recognized, defended, and exercised".
The president stressed that "prosperity will not be given away in offices" and that no country can advance "if citizens are afraid, if businesses lack certainty, if there is no legal security, if there is no trust". She noted that Chile now has "an extraordinary opportunity" to "strengthen institutions, become a benchmark of Hispanidad again, and regain its status as the leading nation it was for so long on the continent".
The International Medal of the Community of Madrid honors personalities and institutions of international relevance for their contribution to universal values. José Antonio Kast's political career began as a councilor in Buin (1996-2000), he was elected a deputy for four consecutive terms (2002-2018), and founded the Republican Party of Chile in 2019, advocating for economic freedom and the rule of law.
In previous years, this medal has been awarded to figures such as Juan Guaidó (2020), Apostolos Tzitzikostas (2021), Volodímir Zelenski (2022), Daniel Noboa (2023), Javier Milei (2024), Edmundo González (2026), and Pope Leo XIV (2026), as well as the United States.
