Hello, and welcome to the Latin America Weekly newsletter! In this issue: The new constitutional reform process in Chile. Modest economic growth forecasts for the region. And the obstacles that remain in Venezuelan negotiations.
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What Chile’s second attempt at a constitutional reform will look like
President Gabriel Boric of Chile suffered many blows during his first year as head of state, none bigger than voters’ rejection of the liberal draft for a new Constitution, back in September. After that setback, the government is aiming for a less polarizing reform, with experts and political parties taking a larger role in the drafting process.
- The much-maligned Constitutional Assembly, which wrote the first draft, will give room to a new Constitutional Council.
Institutions. The now-defunct assembly suffered from low approval ratings through most of its life, as dominating independent and left-wing sectors lost much of the prestige they had gained during the 2019 wave of protests that kickstarted the reform process.
- Instead of the assembly, the second reform attempt will be steered by...