Overview
- Chile’s foreign ministry, which announced the reversal Tuesday, called Michelle Bachelet’s candidacy “inviable” due to a crowded Latin American field and differences with key actors shaping the UN selection.
- Officials said Chile will abstain from endorsing any candidate in this contest and will not back a rival if Bachelet stays in, and they instructed embassies to stop promoting her bid.
- Bachelet said she will keep campaigning with Brazil and Mexico, which continue to sponsor her under UN rules that let any member state nominate a candidate, not only the person’s home country.
- The shift follows José Antonio Kast’s move to the right after taking office, with local reports saying pressure to withdraw grew after Bachelet skipped his March 11 inauguration.
- The UN process now proceeds with public hearings and Security Council straw polls before a final recommendation that all five veto-wielding members must accept, with other declared contenders including Rafael Grossi, Rebeca Grynspan, Virginia Gamba and Macky Sall.