The honeymoon of the Latin American left was short-lived. A few days ago we saw how Santiago Peña won in Paraguay, breaking the streak of victories and punishing votes in Brazil, Colombia, Chile, Honduras, etc. The pink tide has its days numbered.
Chile: the hard right leads changes to the Constitution
Last Sunday, President Gabriel Boric suffered a crushing defeat. The hard right of José Antonio Kast won 23 of the 50 advisers who will formulate the new Constitution of the country. The people spoke loud and clear.
Brazil and the worst version of Lula
The return of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has been marked by serious setbacks in his foreign policy. His closeness to China, his defense of Russia and his sympathy for the dictatorships of Cuba, Nicaragua and Venezuela.
Lula’s popularity is beginning to decline, as is dynamism in key economic sectors such as the automotive industry. The illegal seizure of land and social demands have increased exponentially in the country.
Petro: “The State is me”
In Colombia, President Gustavo Petro threatens to make a “revolution” if the Legislature does not accept his reforms. The ex-guerrilla has trampled on the separation of powers and in the style of Louis XIV he seems to say to the judicial system: “I am the state.”
The currency in Colombia plummets, citizen insecurity skyrockets and impunity for the narco-guerrilla seems to grow. Petro’s approval continues to plummet, only 30% of the population supports his presidential administration. The alliance that brought him to power is pulverized.
Milei and the Argentine right gain strength
Corruption scandals, infighting and the collapse of the economy represent the failure of the Argentine left. Inflation already exceeds 110% per year and 39.2% of the population lives in poverty.
It is in these catastrophic scenarios that the rise of anti figures is not surprising. establishment like the liberal economist Javier Milei. His main bets include the dollarization of the economy and a paradigm shift in justice.
Mexico and the decline of democracy
The repeated and failed attempts by President Andrés Manuel López Obrador to destroy the National Electoral Institute (INE), demonstrate a deep contempt for democracy. The militarization of security and the attacks on the free press are constant.
AMLO is a president of the last century. He does not believe in renewable energy, underestimates democracy, idolizes the Cuban dictatorship and defends a former coup president in Peru and a dictator in Venezuela.
Political cannibalism in Bolivia
The fierce struggles between Evo Morales and President Luis Arce could put an end to almost two decades of the Movement for Socialism (MAS) party. Populist measures and the politicization of justice have hit the investment climate and legal security in Bolivia.
The left in frank retreat
The post-pandemic economic crisis, violence, and organized crime have deflated the momentum of the Latin American left. Security, well-being and prosperity remain an unfulfilled promise. People want answers and don’t have the patience to wait for them.
The new governments of Latin America will have to see beyond ideologies. Your task will be to transform promises into projects and rhetoric into concrete results. That is the hope we have.