The Chilean government, led by conservative José Antonio Kast, announced this Tuesday (24) that it is withdrawing its support for the candidacy of former socialist president Michelle Bachelet for the UN General Secretariat, promoted by the previous government together with Brazil and Mexico.
In an official statement released to the press, the Chilean Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated: “We have come to the conviction that the context of this election, the dispersion of candidacies from Latin American countries and the differences with some of the relevant actors that define this process make this candidacy and the eventual success of this postulation unfeasible.”
“Along with the withdrawal of Chile’s sponsorship, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the embassies that represent us abroad will no longer participate in efforts to promote this candidacy,” he added.
“However, in consideration of former president Bachelet’s trajectory and if she decides to continue with her candidacy, Chile will refrain from supporting any other candidate in this electoral process,” the note added.
Bachelet’s candidacy at the international body, where she was executive director of UN Women and deputy secretary-general of the UN, was promoted by former president Gabriel Boric, a few months before transferring power to Kast, on March 11th.
Bachelet was among the favorites, as it is understood that everything indicates that the rotation will lead to a candidate from Latin America to the UN General Secretariat. During the election campaign, the conservative leader had already made it clear that he would not bet on her due to the signs of opposition to his candidacy expressed by US President Donald Trump.
