The Low Hours of the New Presidents in Latin America: Boric, Lasso and Castillo

You may have heard lately that Chile and Peru, countries that recently elected a left-wing president, are regretting such a decision. Added to this list is the right-wing Ecuadorian president, Guillermo Lasso, who is going through difficult days due to the social crisis he has with indigenous movements and who has even had to face an impeachment request, after only 1 year of government.

What is Behind the Low Acceptance and Support for the Governments of Pedro Castillo, Gabriel Boric, and Guillermo Lasso?

World Crisis

One of the main factors for which there is great social discontent, not only in Peru, Ecuador, and Chile but throughout the continent, is the global crises that have hit the fragile Latin American economies and social fabrics hard.

The pandemic was a hard blow, sending millions of people around the world into poverty. Now, with Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the rise in oil prices, and inflation that scares all economies are the main challenges that all governments have had to face, both new and old.

Also read: Pacific Alliance: What Happens Now That Every Member Is Left-wing?

Pedro Castillo

The Peruvian president has had a relentless presidency. Internal scandals of those close to him, repeated attempts at impeachment, and general disapproval make up the X-ray of the first year of Puña's former teacher.

In addition to the difficult economic situation that Peru was going through, there is also the chronic political crisis that the Inca country has been experiencing for decades and that has led it to have 5 presidents in 4 years.

Adding to this, Castillo arrived with a fragmented political environment, he barely managed to get majorities in the elections, due to the anti-Fujimorist vote, and he has had no room for governability with a hostile congress.

An Ipsos poll, published by El Comercio in March 2022, gave the Peruvian president 66% disapproval and only 26% popular support. While a survey published by Management gives disapproval greater than 80% in Lima and northern Peru.

Gabriel Boric

The youngest president in the history of Chile has also been a great victim of discontent and global crises. In his first year in office, he hasn't had a break since his arrival in March this year.

The high expectations generated by his election contrast with the poor results of his administration. Since he arrived at the Casa de La Moneda he has had a difficult context.

However, according to the Cadem pollster, his support stood at 44%, after having registered popularity levels of 36%. Likewise, his disapproval went from 57% to 47%, which will give him a break from the expectation of upcoming challenges related to inflation and the insecurity suffered by Chileans.

Its political axis and popularity today respond to the approval of the new constitution that is debated in the Constituent Assembly. Despite the fact that the road to a favorable majority for the proposal is not easy, Boric insists that surely the result of the one being drafted today will be better than the current one.

William Lasso

Despite the tough beginnings of Castillo and Boric, the president who is having the worst time at the moment is the right-wing Guillermo Lasso in Ecuador. The former banker faces a social outbreak that has left a balance of more than 6 deaths and 500 injured, between protesters and police.

For now, the president has managed to emerge victorious from an impeachment attempt that was just 12 votes away from removing him from office. The initiative had 80 votes in favor of the dismissal, 48 against, and 9 abstentions, out of a total of 137 legislators.

Now the crisis is reactivated, Lasso returns to decree the State of Exception in the face of the serious situation that represents the "indefinite national strike". in several urban centers and an environment that escalates more every day, Lasso seems to have decided the confrontation, only time will tell if it was the right strategy.