The Brazilian government’s demonstration comes after the Chilean president, Antonio Kast, backed away from his decision to support the former president for the position
The president (PT) stated that Brazil maintains its support for the candidacy of the former president of Chile to the General Secretariat of the UN (United Nations), together with Mexico.
In a publication made in this Saturday (28.mar.2026), the president said that Bachelet is “highly qualified, with the best CV for the role”. He was president of Chile for 2 terms, directed 2 UN bodies and knows the internal dynamics of secretariats. “She has all the credentials to be the first Latin American woman to lead the organization, promoting peace, strengthening multilateralism and returning the issue of sustainable development to the center of the international agenda.”, wrote the PT member.
UNDERSTAND
O Chilean President José Antonio Kast (Republican Party, direita) from the country itself to the former head of state on Tuesday (24th March). Triple support for the postulation had been defined during the government of Gabriel Boric, an ally of Bachelet. With the inauguration of José Antonio Kast on March 11, there was a change in the Chilean government’s position.
The position is currently held by António Guterres. If Bachelet maintains her candidacy, Chile said it will adopt a neutral position, respecting the former president’s trajectory.
Today there are 4 candidates for general secretary. Three are Latin American: Bachelet; Rafael Mariano Grossi, an Argentinean who heads the International Atomic Energy Agency; and Rebeca Grynspan, former second vice president of Costa Rica. The former president of Senegal, Macky Sall, appears as a possible African candidate.
The withdrawal of Chilean support creates a real political difficulty for Bachelet. Her opponents may use this against her, but there is no legal impediment. Bachelet could still be elected without Santiago’s support.
The process does not go through the General Assembly. The decision will be taken by the Security Council, where the US, China and Russia have veto power.
Beijing has signaled that it will only support a Latin American candidate if she has consensus within the country itself. Bachelet doesn’t have it.
Brazil recognizes the obstacle, but assesses that the process is still at the beginning – debates between candidates in New York should begin in April – and that other competitors will also face problems with permanent members of the Council.
Argentine Rafael Grossi, nominated by Javier Milei, faces skepticism from China and Russia. As director of the nuclear agency, he was ambiguous during Israel’s attacks on Iran, and his proximity to Washington weighs negatively on both countries.
