National Security Online Resource Center

Conservative governance scored a major victory in Chile as billionaire and former Senator Sebastián Piñera defeated the leftist opposition by a 52-48 margin. This victory, over former Chilean President Eduardo Frei, ends twenty years of leftist rule ever since they came to power in wake of General Augosto Pinochet’s departure in 1990.

This New York Times articles notes that many experts believe this victory is not a repudiation of the leftist government, considering the outgoing president enjoys 75 percent approval ratings. In addition, Piñera could not escape Pinochet’s legacy. The article also reports that several members of his coalition served in Pincochet’s Cabinet, and that several leftists in Chile were wary of this fact when voting.

As the Times reports, “‘This was one of the most difficult decisions the country has had in a long time,’ said Erica Tapia, 44. ‘Unfortunately, I voted for Frei out of fear of the right.’”

Nonetheless, Piñera has pledged not to appoint any former Pinochet Cabinet members to his new Cabinet. Piñera, who has also pledged to privatize several nationalized industries and create one million jobs, will hopefully be a bright spot in Latin American politics to counter the influence of socialists such as Hugo Chavez. Having a pro-American ally in previously-leftist Chile could potentially increase our favorability in South America.