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Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva reaffirmed his country's unwavering support for former Chilean President Michelle Bachelet as a candidate for the next United Nations Secretary-General, even after Chile officially withdrew its backing. In a post shared on X, Lula praised Bachelet as someone with outstanding qualifications and the strongest credentials among those vying for the prestigious role.
The development follows Chile's government announcement earlier this week that it would no longer champion any candidate in the ongoing UN leadership race. The decision came shortly after José Antonio Kast was inaugurated as Chile's new president. Kast, a vocal critic of Bachelet's time in office, has made no secret of his opposition to her political legacy, making Chile's withdrawal largely expected by regional observers.
Despite the diplomatic shift from Santiago, Bachelet continues to enjoy strong backing from key Latin American nations. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum added her voice to the conversation on Wednesday, confirming that Mexico would maintain its support for Bachelet's candidacy regardless of Chile's change in position. The solidarity from two of Latin America's largest economies signals that Bachelet remains a formidable contender in the race for the UN's top position.
Bachelet, who served two terms as Chile's president and previously led the United Nations Human Rights Council, brings decades of international leadership experience to her candidacy. Her supporters argue that her extensive background in human rights, multilateral diplomacy, and governance makes her uniquely suited to lead the global body at a time of growing international tensions.
The race for the next UN Secretary-General is drawing increasing attention worldwide, with nations carefully weighing their endorsements. Latin America's continued push for Bachelet highlights a broader effort to place a candidate from the Global South at the helm of the United Nations.
