Johannes Kaiser (Chilean politician)

In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Kaiser and the second or maternal family name is Barents-Von Hohenhagen.
Johannes Kaiser
Official portrait, 2022
Member of the Chamber of Deputies
Incumbent
Assumed office
11 March 2022
Preceded byLuciano Cruz-Coke
ConstituencyDistrict 10
Personal details
BornJohannes Maximilian Kaiser Barends
(1976-01-05) 5 January 1976
Santiago, Chile
PartyPNL (since 2024)
Other political
affiliations		UDI (formerly)
PRCh (2019–2021; 2022–2024)
Spouse
Ivette Avaria Vera
​
(m. 2022)​
[1]
Children3
RelativesVanessa and Axel Kaiser (siblings)
EducationFinis Terrae University
Heidelberg University
University of Innsbruck
(did not graduate from any)
OccupationActivist • YouTuber • Politician
Signature
YouTube information
Channel
Years active2013–present
Subscribers162.000
Views34.4 million
Last updated: November 2025

Johannes Maximilian Kaiser Barents-von Hohenhagen (born 5 January 1976) is a Chilean politician, activist, and YouTuber.[2] A prominent figure on the far-right of Chilean politics, he is the founder of the National Libertarian Party (PNL)[3][4][5] and a former member of the Republican Party (PRCh). He has served in the Chamber of Deputies of Chile since 2022 and was a candidate in the 2025 presidential election,[6][7][8] in which he finished fourth with 13.93% of the vote.[9]

Early life and education

Johannes Kaiser was born in Santiago on 5 January 1976 into a family of German Chileans. His paternal grandfather, Friedrich Ernst Kaiser Richter, was a social democratic activist who fled Nazi Germany in 1936, settling in Chile where he later served as mayor of Villarrica.[10][11] His father, Juan Cristián Kaiser Wagner, was active in the National Party.

Kaiser attended several schools, including the German School of Santiago and the Bernardo O'Higgins Military Academy for his final high school years.[12] He subsequently enrolled in law at Finis Terrae University but did not complete his degree. He later studied at Heidelberg University in Germany and the University of Innsbruck in Austria, but graduated from none of these institutions.[13]

During his time in Austria, he worked as a freelance sports journalist for FC Wacker Innsbruck.[14]

Media career and early activism

In September 2013, Kaiser launched his political YouTube channel, El Nacional-Libertario, which has amassed over 100,000 subscribers.[15] The channel became a platform for his right-libertarianism and social-conservative views, often featuring content critical of immigration, feminism, and what he termed "globalist" agendas.

He campaigned for José Antonio Kast in the 2017 presidential election and joined Kast's newly formed Republican Party in 2019.[16][17] Previously, he had been a member of the Independent Democratic Union (UDI).[18]

Political career

Chamber of Deputies

2022-2024: Election and Republican Party tenure

In the 2021 Chilean general election, Kaiser was elected to the Chamber of Deputies, representing District 10 of the Santiago Metropolitan Region.[19]

His election was immediately overshadowed by controversy when a 2018 video resurfaced in which he made sarcastic comments questioning women's suffrage in the context of the New Year's Eve sexual assaults in Germany.[20] The resulting backlash led Kaiser to resign from the Republican Party, though he continued to sit with their parliamentary caucus as an independent.[21]

During his term, Kaiser served on committees for Human Rights and Indigenous Peoples, National Defense, Interior Government and Regionalization, and Ethics and Transparency.[15] He rejoined the Republican Party in September 2022[6] but resigned again in January 2024 after internal conflicts over the party's position in the 2023 Chilean constitutional plebiscite, where Kaiser voted against the official party line.[8]

2025 presidential campaign

On February 19, 2024, Kaiser announced his presidential candidacy for the 2025 Chilean presidential election.[22] He initially considered participating in the Chile Vamos primaries but later ruled this out, citing disagreements with the coalition's policies.[23]

In June 2024, he founded the National Libertarian Party, describing it as a "reactionary" movement that combines social conservatism with minarchist principles.[3][4][5] The party formed a parliamentary pact called "New Right" with the Republican and Christian Social Parties.[24]

Key proposals of his campaign include reviving the controversial HidroAysén hydroelectric project, reinstating Santiago's traditional "yellow buses," drastically reducing the number of government ministries, implementing stricter immigration controls, and strengthening gun ownership rights.[25]

He officially registered his candidacy with the Electoral Service on August 14, 2025,[26] and finished fourth in the first round with 13.93% of the vote.[9]

Political positions

Kaiser describes his ideology as paleolibertarian, combining social conservatism with minarchist views on the role of the state. He identifies as a reactionary rather than a conservative.[3]

His platform emphasizes:

  • Strong opposition to illegal immigration
  • Support for gun ownership rights
  • Opposition to abortion and euthanasia[27]
  • Reduction of the state apparatus
  • Support for traditional family values
  • Economic liberalization

Media outlets have frequently characterized him as far-right, populist, Pinochetist, and ultraconservative.[28][29][30]

Controversies

Statements on women's suffrage and sexual violence

In 2018, Kaiser made sarcastic comments about women's suffrage in the context of the New Year's Eve sexual assaults in Germany, suggesting that women who voted for pro-immigration parties were voting against their interests.[20] The comments resurfaced during his 2021 election campaign, leading to accusations of misogyny and his temporary resignation from the Republican Party.[21]

He later clarified that his comments were taken out of context and that he was criticizing what he saw as voting against one's interests, not opposing women's suffrage.[31]

Comments on historical human rights abuses

In 2021, Kaiser stated that victims of the Pisagua case executions during the military dictatorship were "well shot" and claimed that in Chile "too little shooting was done."[32] The Santiago Court of Appeals ordered the removal of the videos containing these statements and imposed a fine, ruling that they constituted hate speech.[33]

Support for military coup

During his 2025 presidential campaign, Kaiser stated he would "without a doubt" support a military coup under circumstances similar to those preceding the 1973 Chilean coup d'état.[34] The comments drew widespread condemnation across the political spectrum.[35]

Vaccine skepticism

In 2025, Kaiser questioned Chile's vaccination program, suggesting vaccines "work with heavy metals" and advocating for reconsideration of mandatory immunization.[36] Health experts strongly rebutted his claims, noting vaccines do not contain heavy metals and warning against spreading misinformation.[37]

Personal life

Kaiser comes from a politically active family. His siblings include Axel Kaiser, a prominent classical liberal intellectual; Vanessa Kaiser, a senator-elect in 2025 for the National Libertarian Party;[38][39] and Leif Kaiser, leader of the Chilean Rifle Association.[40]

He married Ivette Avaria Vera in 2022, with whom he has one daughter. He has two other children from previous relationships.[41] The family practices Orthodox Christianity.[42]

Electoral history

Year Type Territory Coalition Party Votes % Result
2021 Parliamentary deputy 10th district Christian Social Front PRCh 26,610 5.82 Elected

References

  1. ^ "La conoció en entrevista y pololearon cuatro meses: Johannes Kaiser confirma que se casará | Crónica". La Cuarta (in Spanish). Retrieved 2022-08-16.
  2. ^ "Matthei, Winter, Kast y Kaiser: la huella alemana en las presidenciales chilenas". El País. 4 May 2025. Retrieved 31 July 2025.
  3. ^ a b c ""No somos conservadores, somos reaccionarios": diputado Kaiser anuncia la creación del Partido Nacional Libertario" (in Spanish). La Tercera. June 11, 2024. Retrieved June 13, 2024.
  4. ^ a b "Partido Nacional Libertario: ¿Cuáles son los lineamientos del nuevo partido liderado por Johannes Kaiser?" (in Spanish). Duna. June 11, 2024. Retrieved June 13, 2024.
  5. ^ a b "Con Gonzalo de la Carrera y Gloria Naveillán: el Partido Nacional Libertario, la nueva tienda política que busca formar Johannes Kaiser" (in Spanish). The Clinic. June 11, 2024. Retrieved June 13, 2024.
  6. ^ a b Valenzuela, Paula. "Kaiser vuelve a militar al Partido Republicano: "RN y la UDI están dejando huérfanos a su derecha"". Teletrece (in Spanish). Retrieved September 10, 2022.
  7. ^ "José Antonio Kast confirma la vuelta de Johannes Kaiser al parlamento: "Ha tenido una gestión impecable"". InfoGate (in Spanish). December 12, 2022. Retrieved March 10, 2023.
  8. ^ a b "Diputado Johannes Kaiser renuncia al Partido Republicano acusando "degradación" a su gestión como parlamentario" (in Spanish). La Tercera. January 10, 2024. Retrieved January 11, 2024.
  9. ^ a b Lee, David D. "Chile heads to a presidential run-off between leftist, far-right candidates". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 2025-11-18.
  10. ^ Antonia Laborde (16 February 2025). "El fenómeno Kaiser, el presidenciable que corrió los márgenes de la extrema derecha chilena" (in Spanish). El País. Retrieved 17 February 2025.
  11. ^ Oportot Campillay, Juan; Vega Vargas, Valeria. "El universo de los hermanos Kaiser: la historia de la familia que busca llegar a La Moneda". Doble Espacio (in Spanish). Universidad de Chile. Retrieved 17 February 2025.
  12. ^ Toro, Daniela. "Quién es Johannes Kaiser, el diputado electo de Republicanos que generó polémica por video sobre voto femenino". EMOL (in Spanish). Retrieved 24 November 2021.
  13. ^ Espinoza, Camilo (4 April 2022). "Universidad de Innsbruck revela nuevos antecedentes sobre los estudios de Johannes Kaiser". The Clinic. Retrieved 4 April 2022.
  14. ^ "Johannes Kaiser fue periodista de FC Wacker Innsbruck en Austria" (in Spanish). 13c. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
  15. ^ a b "Johannes Kaiser Barents-von Hohenhagen. Reseñas biográficas parlamentarias". Biblioteca del Congreso Nacional de Chile (in Spanish). Retrieved 2022-08-23.
  16. ^ "Kast y su batallón" (in Spanish). La Tercera. Retrieved 7 January 2018.
  17. ^ "La entrevista de Johannes Kaiser, miembro del libertario-nacional, a Kast: "Los hombres y mujeres libres de este país dependemos de su éxito"". The Clinic. 24 October 2017. Archived from the original on 22 November 2021. Retrieved 22 November 2021.
  18. ^ ""No tengo interés en ser MINISTRO DE MATTHEI", Johannes Kaiser sobre la competencia por La Moneda". Via X. 4 April 2025. Retrieved 10 April 2025.
  19. ^ "Distrito 10: los diputados triunfadores en las elecciones". Pauta. 22 November 2021. Retrieved 22 November 2021.
  20. ^ a b Panorama Mundial Capítulo 37 (con Johannes Kaiser) - Minuto 52:02 on YouTube
  21. ^ a b ""De forma voluntaria y sin presión alguna": Johannes Kaiser renuncia al Partido Republicano". T13 (in Spanish). November 24, 2021. Retrieved February 17, 2025.
  22. ^ ""Voy a ser precandidato presidencial": diputado Johannes Kaiser dice que quiere ir a primarias de Chile Vamos" (in Spanish). La Tercera. February 19, 2024. Retrieved February 20, 2024.
  23. ^ "Kaiser anuncia que no participará en primarias con Chile Vamos tras respaldo a reforma de pensiones". Radio Bío-Bío. 28 January 2025. Retrieved 24 March 2025.
  24. ^ "Republicanos, libertarios y socialcristianos anunciaron pacto parlamentario". Cooperativa. 14 April 2025. Retrieved 19 April 2025.
  25. ^ "El refugio en YouTube de Johannes Kaiser: un lugar donde recibe donaciones, lanza ácidas críticas y propone revivir HidroAysén y las micros amarillas". The Clinic. 20 April 2025. Retrieved 26 April 2025.
  26. ^ "[Fotos] Johannes Kaiser inscribió su candidatura presidencial ante el Servel". Cooperativa.cl. 14 August 2025. Retrieved 17 August 2025.
  27. ^ "Kaiser se lanza contra Gobierno por eutanasia y aborto: "Es maldad, falta de respeto a la vida"". Teletrece. 15 September 2025.
  28. ^ "Diputado Kaiser se niega a recibir dosis de refuerzo piste a la evidencia científica". Radio Bío-Bío. 21 March 2022.
  29. ^ "La insólita defensa de Johannes Kaiser a Pinochet: "O'Higgins también fue dictador"". CHV Noticias. 22 December 2024.
  30. ^ "Kaiser defiende uso de armas en defensa propia: "Tengo derecho a matar al que entra en mi casa"". Radio Bío-Bío. 27 June 2024.
  31. ^ "Johannes Kaiser explicó sus dichos polémicos" (in Spanish). 13c. February 9, 2024. Retrieved February 20, 2024.
  32. ^ "Fusilados en Pisagua, mujeres violadas y Fabiola Campillai: Las víctimas en nuevos videos viralizados de Johannes Kaiser". meganoticias.cl. 2021-11-23. Retrieved 2021-11-24.
  33. ^ Vasquez Carrasco, Constanza Beatriz (2022-09-24). "Corte de Apelaciones ordena al diputado Johannes Kaiser eliminar videos de YouTube por ofender a víctimas de la dictadura". Radio ADN. Retrieved 2022-09-25.
  34. ^ Gómez S., Rodrigo (4 July 2025). "Johannes Kaiser afirma que "sin duda" apoyaría un nuevo golpe de Estado y que proscribiría al PC". La Tercera. Retrieved 4 July 2025.
  35. ^ Dote, Sebastián (2025-07-04). "Johannes Kaiser, el candidato presidencial de la extrema derecha chilena, dice que apoyaría un nuevo golpe de Estado". El País Chile (in Spanish). Retrieved 2025-08-07.
  36. ^ "Debió salir a "rectificar" cifra y Gobierno apuntó a "retroceso" en su postura: El enredo de Kaiser por las vacunas". Emol (in Spanish). 2025-03-31. Retrieved 2025-08-12.
  37. ^ "CAVEI arremete contra Kaiser y lo tilda de "ignorante" por dichos antivacunas: "Genera susto y confusión con información falsa"". CNN Chile. Retrieved 2025-08-12.
  38. ^ https://elpais.com/chile/2025-11-17/quienes-son-los-nuevos-rostros-de-la-camara-de-diputados-y-del-senado-de-chile.html
  39. ^ "[Video] Futuro diputado republicano trató a inmigrantes de violadores y cuestionó el derecho a voto femenino". Cooperativa.cl (in Spanish). Retrieved 2021-11-23.
  40. ^ "Hermano de Axel Kaiser lidera asociación del rifle a la chilena" (in Spanish). El Periodista. Retrieved 22 November 2021.
  41. ^ "Johannes Kaiser reveló los tres momentos más importantes de su vida". 13c. 9 February 2024. Retrieved 27 February 2024.
  42. ^ "Johannes Kaiser: "La vida es combate. La vida es pelear"". La Tercera. 6 July 2025. Retrieved 5 November 2025.
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