MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Ex President Boric draws mixed reactions after being spotted riding Santiago de Chile's Metro

Boric left La Moneda on March 11, when José Antonio Kast was sworn in as Chile's new president during a ceremony at the National Congress in Valparaíso

Less than two weeks after leaving office, former Chilean President Gabriel Boric drew renewed public attention after being spotted riding the Santiago Metro as an ordinary passenger.

A video shared on social media shows the former leader sitting alone in a subway car while reading a book, an image that stood out for its normalcy. Boric was also seen attending a Copa de la Liga 2026 match between Universidad Católica and Universidad de Concepción at the Claro Arena.

The images sparked divided opinions online. Some praised the former president's simplicity in using public transportation without visible security, while others dismissed the scene as “political marketing.”

Gabriel Boric anda piola en el metro, nadie lo webea. Cuántos politicos pueden hacer lo mismo?. pic.twitter.com/nfaRKx3uKy

— Honor Y Gloria (@JoviNomas) March 23, 2026

Boric left La Moneda on March 11, when José Antonio Kast was sworn in as Chile's new president during a ceremony at the National Congress in Valparaíso. Kast won the December 2025 runoff with over 58% of the vote against Jeannette Jara, becoming the first far-right president since Chile's return to democracy in 1990. His administration has prioritized public safety, immigration enforcement, and economic recovery.

The contrast between the former president's appearance on public transit and the new political tone at La Moneda did not go unnoticed among Chilean observers, at a time of sharp polarization in the country.