South America

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Women protester and raised fists holding a megaphone, in front of Peru flag
Better World Info | Mei Lau

Peruvian Political Crisis and Protests 2022/23

Since 7 December 2022, Peru has been in chaos. Following an attempt by the now former president Pedro Castillo to suspend Congress and set up a "government of exception", which many Peruvians considered a coup attempt. Castillo was arrested and imprisoned. The new political turmoil triggered strikes and demonstrations across the country, which have resulted in the deaths of at least 55 people. Growing inequality, poverty, and inflation have exacerbated the situation, and calls for an early resignation of Dina Boluarte and an early election are the focus of protestors.

Peruvian Political Crisis and Protests 2022/23
Protesters march down a street in Ecuador against rising food prices and inflation. Many protesters carry flags.
Erickmacr | CC BY-SA 4.0

Economic crisis in Ecuador

Increasing food and fuel prices on the back of rising inflation triggered a series of anti-governmental protests. Indigenous communities have been severely affected and lack of action by President Guillermo Lasso has been criticised by the activists. Lasso has since declared a state of emergency and responded to protesters with deadly violence labelling it a coup against his government.

Economic crisis in Ecuador
A black and white picture of the president of Chile shows a close up picture of Boric wearing a suit, smiling, and with his hand on his chest.
Flickr | Paulo Slachevsky

Gabriel Boric – Chilean President

With a vision of a greener, fairer, and more equal Chile, sparks of optimism are flying high not only in Chile but in the whole of Latin America who are hoping for a huge political shift, and looking to Boric to provide the positive example. As a leading figure in the Chilean student protests, and a key figure in the referendum to change the Constitution, he is the youngest President in Chile’s history, and the second youngest leader in the world. Hoping to bury Pinochet’s dictatorship once and for all, we eagerly await reforms on social justice, welfare, public spending, and inclusion.

Gabriel Boric – Chilean President
Minimalist graphic of the new Brazilain president smiling wearing a suit. The image of Lula is green infront of a yellow background
Free SVG | Public Domain

2022 Brazil's General Election

The first round of the election was surprisingly close, with former president Lula da Silva receiving 48.4% of the vote, versus 43.2% for incumbent Bolsonaro, prompting a run-off election on 30 October. Although the outcome of the presidential race was not what the Brazilian left had hoped for, victories were achieved, such as the election of transgender candidates to congress for the first time in the countries history.

2022 Brazil's General Election
Image by David Peterson from Pixabay

Crisis in Venezuela

Since 2010, Venezuelans have been suffering under hyperinflation, hunger, and unprecedented levels of crime and disease. The social and economic disaster has led to massive emigration from the country. Learn more here about the protests, U.S. interference, various coup attempts, and international solidarity for the seemingly never-ending humanitarian catastrophe.

Crisis in Venezuela
Pamela Figueroa, Agenda Pública

Chile's New Constitution

In 2019, Chile erupted in mass protests following an increase in the price of the metro, the demonstrations, eventually turned into a fight against widespread inequality among the population, and to demand a new constitution to replace the one instituted during the Pinochet dictatorship. In October 2020, Chileans voted to rewrite this constitution in a referendum, and now in 2021 they elected the 155 new members who will rewrite it. With a surprising result, the majority of elected members are independent and from the opposition. Many Chileans are hopeful that this process will address the main problems plaguing Chilean society, and the eyes of Latin Americans are on this country in the hope that real change will begin here.  

Chile's New Constitution
Serious looking white man with blue eyes wearing a suit speaking on a stage infront of the Brazilian flag
Flickr | Palácio do Planalto

President Bolsonaro

Undoubtedly, the 38th Brazilian president has been the centre of many contentious headlines. He has been described as far-right and populist, and uncertainty about his decisions is growing. His management of the COVID-19 pandemic, and his relaxation of several environmental protection policies is of particular concern to watching eyes around the globe.

President Bolsonaro
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