Welcome back to the Latin America Weekly newsletter. In this issue: Chile’s presidential campaign gets underway. Social unrest in Cuba. Argentina’s finance minister returns from Rome with a smile on his face. Latin American universities losing prestige.
Presidential race kicks off in Chile
On July 18, Chile will hold presidential primary elections for the country’s two main political caucuses. The winners will face off in November to see who will run the South American country for the next four years.
Why it matters. Since a wave of protests in 2019, Chile has been engulfed by political instability. While recently setting up a Constituent Assembly was a major step toward healing, the process will not be complete until a new government with sufficient political support is installed.
Narrowing down. Chile’s political landscape is widely fragmented — with over ten potential candidates with a perceived chance at the presidency. Primaries will offer a chance to concentrate efforts on the more viable candidates.
- Left: Recoleta Mayor Daniel Jadue and lawmaker Gabriel Boric are fighting for the nomination for the Apruebo Dignidad caucus — which includes major opposition bloc Frente Amplio and Chile’s Communist Party.
- Right: Four candidates battle for the nomination in...