Latin America: these are the most unpopular presidents

Corruption scandals and economic recession are some of the main reasons why people disapprove their President in Latin America

LatinAmerican Post | Laura Viviana Guevara

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Within the region, Nayib Bukele, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, Danilo Medina, Martín Vizcarra, and Evo Morales stand out, with the highest approval ratings in Latin America. However, here we show you which are the most unpopular leaders.

Leer en español: América Latina: estos son los presidentes más impopulares

Argentina

In the midst of one of the worst economic and social crises in the country, Mauricio Macri's popularity has been worsening. In a survey conducted by the consultant Raúl Aragón & Asociados, 70.1% of Argentines disapprove of Macri's management. Population dissatisfaction is concentrated in corruption, unemployment levels, inflation, and economic recession.

Guatemala

President Jimmy Morales, according to a survey conducted in April by the newspaper Prensa Libre and Guatevisión, 81% of Guatemalans disapprove of Morales' management. Among the main reasons are the “evaluation of their work, the credibility of their statements and the fulfillment of their campaign promises,” according to Prensa Libre.

Honduras

According to the firm CID Gallup and the newspaper La Prensa, held in May 2019, the Honduran president, Juan Orlando Hernández, has a disapproval rate of 64 %. For those polled by La Prensa, "Hernández develops 'badly' or 'very badly' his management." The main concern for Hondurans turns out to be high levels of unemployment, insecurity and the economic situation.

Brazil

In the middle of a presidential period characterized by demonstrations, strikes, defeats in Parliament (the sinking of decrees on the bearing and possession of weapons, for example), and controversies on Twitter (in the best Trump-style), the popularity of Bolsonaro has fallen significantly because according to the survey conducted by Ibope, the level of disapproval has risen to 54%.

Chile

According to the Criteria Research pollster, for the first time, the popularity of President Sebastián Piñeros rose to 53%. The survey conducted in March 2019 shows that the increase in insecurity, economic perception, and unemployment are some of the main arguments for the unpopularity of the president.

Colombia

The Colombian president, Iván Duque, took office on August 1, 2018, after elections marked by the ideological separation following the agreements reached with the FARC, made by the previous government. According to a survey conducted by the Gallup firm in June, Duque has disapproval of 62%.

Among the main reasons are corruption and the serious economic situation of the country. In addition to that, in his presidential term, his bills have not been approved since he does not have a majority in Congress, which makes 71% of respondents believe that the situation in the country is getting worse.

Also read: Tens of thousands of Puerto Ricans demand governor resign

Panama

Although on July 1 Juan Carlos Varela ended his term as president of Panama, the surveys, and specifically that conducted by the Mexican consultancy Consulta Mitofsky, reveal that until April 2019, Varela had a 78% disapproval rate. According to the French media L'obs, among the main reasons for their disapproval are “the decline in economic activity, the increase in the living costs, corruption scandals and the crisis in the health and justice sectors”.

Uruguay

Although Tabaré Vázquez was considered in 2018 as the president who had the most approval, with 76% according to Ipsos, today the reality is different. According to Canal 4, the approval rate is 28%. This figure is consistent with that made by the Mexican consultancy Mitofsky. Vázquez has a disapproval level of 72%.

Ecuador

Lenin Moreno began his presidential term with an approval rating of 65%. Two years after being in charge of the country, people perceive that the Ecuadorian Moreno has little results in his management, especially on economic changes and the fight against corruption.

Costa Rica

After a year in power, Carlos Alvarado has not been able to raise his popularity levels. According to the Center for Research and Political Studies of the University of Costa Rica (CIEP), Costa Ricans have two negative opinions for each positive one. Its main concerns are unemployment, the cost of living and the economic situation. Its disapproval rate is 76%.

Venezuela

According to Mexican consultant Mitofsky, Nicolás Maduro is the most disapproved president in all of Latin America, with 85%. The great social and economic crisis; the sanctions imposed by important governments; political instability added to the great Venezuelan exodus, are just some problems that the Maduro administration has to control.