INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Chile is heading into a tense election season as a communist candidate, Jeannette Jara, becomes a serious contender for the presidency
This marks a big change in a country where communists have rarely had major influence.Jara, who recently served as Labor Minister, left her
government post in April 2025 to run for president
week and pushing pension reforms, which made her well-known among working-class voters
The Communist Party in Chile has grown in recent years.Under President Gabriel Boric, the party gained important government roles and now
polls suggest it could reach up to 10% of the national vote, double its historical average.This growth has given the party more visibility
She recently said Cuba is not a dictatorship, blaming its problems on the U.S
Unemployment rose to 8.8% in early 2025, higher than experts predicted
become a major issue, with homicide rates more than doubling since 2017
Criminal groups from other countries have made things worse, bringing new types of violence to Chilean cities.On the right, candidates like
the economy and public safety, which helps the right-wing candidates
The upcoming primary on June 29 will decide which left-wing candidate will run in the main election in November.Business leaders and
shows how political divisions are growing, with more people supporting either the far left or the far right
