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A new Pink Tide in the Americas? Not so fast …

With recent electoral results veering to the left, some suggest another Pink Tide is on the horizon for Latin America. Experts are unconvinced

A new Pink Tide in the Americas? Not so fast …
Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro waves during a 2019 summit of conservative South American leaders in Santiago. Photo: José Dias/PR

In 2019, Latin America endured a veritable political earthquake. Crises in Bolivia, Chile, Ecuador, and Peru led to riots, coups, and the dissolving of local congresses. One year on, we are beginning to see the effects of this unrest at the ballot boxes.

Argentina went first at the end of last year, voting out neoliberal President Maurício Macri and turning left. In October, Bolivia swept the Movement for Socialism party back into power in a landslide victory, less than 12 months after Evo Morales had been ousted in a conservative-backed military coup. Progressive forces won in Chile’s constitutional referendum just weeks later.

In Chile, Ecuador, and Peru, the left is hopeful of victory in the 2021 general elections. Meanwhile, Donald Trump’s hopes for a second term are growing increasingly slim in the U.S., as key states have either been called for Joe Biden or are leaning towards the Democratic candidate. These recent political developments sparked a groundswell of optimism for the left appears to be sweeping the Americas. 

Pundits, however, deny the possibility of a second ‘Pink Tide’ in the region.

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