Argentina's Ambassador in Santiago, Rafael Bielsa, said right-wing candidate José Antonio Kast, who finished first in Sunday's elections was an anti-Argentine Pinochetist “that dares speak its name” and likened him to former US President Donald Trump and current Brazilian head of state Jair Bolsonaro.
On Friday public opinion pollster Cadem released its latest survey of vote intention for the highly contested Chilean November 14 presidential election with conservative candidate Jose Antonio Kast leading with 25% followed by a young radical, with no government experience, Gabriel Boric, with 19%, who is also under quarantine for having tested positive to coronavirus.
At least two people have died and no less than 450 others were arrested Monday in Santiago and other parts of Chile as demonstrators took to the streets to commemorate the second anniversary of the popular uprisings which led to a series of changes, including a Constitutional reform which is currently being drafted.
Trade, health and the post-pandemic, communications and the Pacific basin were some of the issues addressed by Chilean president Sebastian Piñera with his Uruguayan peer, Luis Lacalle Pou, during a one-day visit to Montevideo.
Chile's Progressive Party (PRO) leader Marco Enríquez Ominami Monday announced he would run for the country's presidency, which dealt an unexpected blow to the centre-left's efforts following the launch of Christian Democrat Yasna Provoste's candidacy Saturday.
Independent candidate Sebastián Sichel took most of the votes within the right-wing bloc, Chile Vamos, while Frente Amplio Deputy Gabriel Boric was chosen in the left-wing Apruebo coalition after Chile's primary elections held Sunday.
Chile's traditional centre-left parties will govern 10 of the country's 16 regions following Sunday's governorship runoff elections in another blow to President Sebastián Piñera Chile Vamos party.
Chile’s peso tumbled on Wednesday, starting the year in a volatile fashion as many had forecast. The currency dropped 2.1% to 741.66 against the dollar, bringing its decline this year to 4%.
The Chilean Electoral Service registered 2,223 hopeful candidates for selection to the commission that will rewrite Chile's dictatorship-era constitution. The 14 million Chilean eligible are scheduled to elect on April 11 the 155 members of the Constituent Assembly that will rewrite the constitution, which dates from the rule of military dictator Augusto Pinochet (1973-90).