Name? Gabriel Boric
Westphalian identity? Chilean
Age? 35
Why is he in the news? Newly elected student activist-turned-president Gabriel Boric just announced his cabinet this week. He is the youngest president Chile has had, and the first not centre aligned president in the history of its democracy (since Pinochet was ousted in 1990). Notable mention, his 24-person cabinet includes 14 women, which he says is his effort to elevate women in leadership (genuineness is TBD).
Why do we care? We were curious to see how Boric would handle the significance of the extreme left labels he’s received since he announced his candidacy. President Boric made his name when he became a student activist during the movements that led to the 2019 protests in Chile that called for a new constitution. Naturally, a far-left movement birthed conservative backlash; nonetheless, Boric appeased worries of his government with a moderate cabinet to rule over Chile.
Why should you care? As the resident corner of Latin American updates, we want to show that not all is bad. Some wondered whether 2019 marked the end of the political oasis that Chile represents in the region. But the peaceful transition of power and upcoming constitutional reforms present a healthy Chile. More than that, the moderate cabinet has calmed market qualms of external investors. You should care 6/10 about moderation in Latin America.
Who else cares? Leaders like Guillermo Lasso in Ecuador have precisely been waiting for those like Gabriel Boric. Although ideologically different, both have hopes for further integration and cooperation in Latin America beyond the ideological rifts of recent history. Plus, further US and Chinese investment.
Any further comments? If you think that Boric is a win for the Latin American left, think again. Boric has repeatedly condemned other far-left regimes like those of Maduro in Venezuela and Ortega in Nicaragua. His progressive-yet-moderate leadership could mean a generational turnover in Latin American regional politics, and increased cooperation in South America.
